UWGB Signs Seven Recruits

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin, November 17. UNIVERSITY of Wisconsin-Green Bay swimming and diving head coach Jim Merner has announced the signing of seven individuals to National Letters of Intent. Andrew Gelden (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford), Ryan Loy (New London, Wis./New London), Daniel Judge (Decatur, Ind./Bishop Luers), Katelyn Bodin (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove), Shannon Demrow (Algonquin, Ill./H.D. Jacobs), Deanna DeGrand (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) and Jamie Larsen (Greenfield, Wis./Muskego) will join the Phoenix for the 2007-08 school year.

Gelden was a three-time conference champion and was a state qualifier from 2004 to 2006, placing all three years. He was also was named all-state in 2006.

"What impresses me the most about Andy is his versatility as a swimmer," Merner said. "He has enjoyed great success as an individual medley swimmer and his signing helps us secure our need for a quality breaststroke specialist."

Loy was named a scholastic All-American in 2006 and won five medals at the 2006 Central Zone Championship. He qualified for the Speedo Sectionals and has been a member of the swimming team for nine years.

"Right out of our own backyard comes a diamond in the rough," Merner said. "Ryan's ability in the butterfly is what attracted me to him and I think he will impress many swimmers and coaches over the next few years."

Judge placed third, sixth, 11th and 20th in different events at the 2006 Short Course Senior State Championships. He also competed in cross country for four years and was named team MVP all four years.

"We needed butterfliers in this year's class and I think we got a real good one, not only in the sprint side of it, but also in the 200 as well," Merner said. "He is a championship-level swimmer and we are proud to have him join our program."

Bodin helped lead Maple Grove to district championships from 2002-06 and Section 2AA championships from 2002-05. She participated in the state championships all four years of her high school career.

"This is a very intriguing signing because Katie offers us three different strokes at high levels of performance," Merner said. "I am convinced that Katie is going to enjoy a great college career and we will benefit from her sprinting ability."

Demrow was named team MVP, Newcomer of the Year and was a two-time state qualifier in two years of high school swimming. She also finished in the top eight of the YMCA Nationals eight times.

"This was a great signing for us," Merner said. "Shannon's background in distance swimming is at a high level and she should enjoy great success in our league. A YMCA national qualifier at a championship level, it is an honor to have Shannon swim for us."
DeGrand was a four-time state qualifier and was named an All-American her sophomore year. She was also a member of the all-conference team her freshman, sophomore and junior years.

"An outstanding local talent," Merner said. "Deanna will have a very nice impact on this team. She is an excellent individual medley swimmer, breaststroker and distance freestyler. I am very pleased she will join us next year."

Larsen is another four-time state qualifier and was also earned All-America and all-state honors. She was named the CNI Athlete of the Month in November of 2004 and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Athlete of the Week in 2004.

"We are very pleased that our need to get at least one quality women's breaststroker was met," Merner said. "Jamie's versatility in the individual medley is an extra bonus and we look forward to her contributions next season."

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