May 28, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Women's Swimming and Diving program and head coach John Hargis netted 12 incoming swimmers and divers for the 2013-2014 season. The class includes three Pennsylvania products, three international student-athletes, a pair of Maryland and New Jersey standouts and one commitment each from Michigan and New York.
"Our incoming class will have to fill a few major holes left by our graduating student-athletes," said Penn State head coach John Hargis, "but I feel that this group has the ability and character to do that. This is a group of high-character student-athletes that are solid both academically and in the pool. Those are all things that we look for as we enter the recruiting process each year and I think that my staff has filled all of our needs with this group of young women."
Melissa Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico) arrived on campus for the spring semester, while Taylor Cameron (Burlington, Ontario), Casey Francis (East Meadow, N.Y.), Mackenzie Hornibrook (West Chester, Pa.), Arielle Krigger (Wexford, Pa.), Hannah Matheson (Skillman, N.J.), Katie Saloky (Bloomsburg, Pa.), Stefanie Schmidt (Victoria, British Columbia), Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Md.), Kerry Treusdell (Churchville, Md.), Annie Valentine (Dearborn, Mich.) and Megan Wujciak (West Caldwell, N.J.) will all join the program for the 2013-14 season.
"We lost five wonderful seniors," said Hargis. "When you look beyond character, beyond academics and athletics, the five women that finished their careers this spring were phenomenal across the board. The holes that they left behind will never be filled from a standpoint of what they have given through the last four years. We are obviously going to try to fill the times, the points, and the leadership qualities. I feel this class does just that."
2013-14 Penn State Women's Swimming and Diving Recruiting Class
Taylor Cameron
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
High School: Nelson High School
High School: Coach: Lisa Ashenhurst
Club Team: Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club
Club Coach: Ashley Almas
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Nelson High School and head coach Lisa Ashenhurst...Placed fourth in the 100 backstroke at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations in 2012...Currently swims for the Golden Horseshow Aquatic Club...Owns multiple long course and short course records for GHAC...Twice was named the GHAC Female Swimmer of the Year...Also swam for the Burlington Devil Rays...owns multiple long course and short course records for the Burlington Devil Rays...Qualified for the Canadian Senior Nationals each year since 2009...Swam the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke and 200 IM at the 2012 Canadian Olympic Trials...Has been a member of the Canadian Junior National Team developmental program since 2009...Swam for the Canadian Junior National Team at the North America Challenge Cup Team in 2009, 2010 and 2012.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it had everything I wanted in a university, both academically and athletically. It is a world renowned institution that offers the program I want to pursue a degree in, forensic science. Along with this, the swim team is really friendly and the coaches are incredibly motivating. The general atmosphere at Penn State really impressed me."
Hargis on Cameron: "We were able to find a great swimmer in Taylor. She is one of Canada's top young swimmers. She is a breaststroker that has competed at a high level and is going to provide some great depth for our program in that area. She can also help us in the sprint freestyle events. She may be one of our top short-distance breast strokers and has a chance to be a big part of our 200 medley relay rotation."
Casey Francis
Hometown: East Meadow, N.Y.
High School: Pine Crest School
High School Coach: Jay Fitzgerald
Club Team: Pine Crest Swimming
Club Coach: Jay Fitzgerald
Honors and Highlights: Swam two seasons for Sacred Heart Academy in New York before spending her final two seasons at the Pine Crest School with head coach Jay Fitzgerald...Has earned All-America honors seven times during her career...Won the Catholic High School Athletic Association championship in the 200 IM as a freshman and sophomore...Was a part of the Florida High School Athletic Association district, regional and state championship 200 freestyle relay team as a junior...Named a Scholastic All-American by U.S. Swimming...Swims for the Pine Crest Swimming Club...owns two club PCSC records...Qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 400 IM...Is a five time Junior National qualifier and four time National Qualifier...Earned an eighth place finish at the 2012 Open Water Nationals in the 5K.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I fell in love with the campus, team, coaches and the tremendous pride that everyone has in the university and I want to be a part of that."
Hargis on Francis: "She is a great distance freestyler and should do a nice job filling some immediate needs in the distance freestyle events. She is a very good 200 freestyler and I can see developing well and training well with some of our other young swimmers. Casey can push our middle distance and distance freestyle events to a new level in the near future."
Mackenzie Hornibrook
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School: Unionville
High School Coach: Maribeth Lyles
Club Team: Golden Ram Aquatics
Club Coach: Scott Elliot
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Unionville High School and head coach Maribeth Lyles...Earned first team All-State honors as a sophomore and junior...Collected first team All-District accolades during her sophomore and junior seasons...Owns the school record in the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 medley relay...Was a High School All-American in the 200 medley relay as a sophomore...Swims for Golden Ram Aquatics...Was a NCSA Junior National Qualifier...Earned U.S. Swimming Scholastics All-America accolades twice.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it was an all-around perfect fit for me. I love the team and their commitment to excellence in and out of the pool and the Schreyer Honors College is an amazing academic opportunity for me. Overall, the school pride was incredible and I can't wait to be a Nittany Lion."
Hargis on Hornibrook: "We've done very good with Golden Ram Aquatics swimmers and are really looking forward to getting Mackenzie on campus. What she has been able to do with a very limited swimming background is really impressive and I believe that once we get her into our training program she is just going to explode. She is extremely talented, not only on the freestyle but the butterfly, as well, and she will fill some major needs for us."
Arielle Krigger
Hometown: Wexford, Pa.
High School: North Allegheny Senior
High School Coach: Kirk Semler
Club Team: Allegheny North Swim Club
Club Coach: Patrick Wenzel
Honors and Highlights: Swam for North Allegheny High School and head coach Kirk Semler...Selected as team captain during her senior season...Two-time All-America selection...Was a member of the 200 Medley Relay team that set the AHS and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League record.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because most of my family went to school there and I have been a Nittany Lion fan my whole life. I cannot wait to be a part of the Penn State family."
Hargis on Krigger: "Arielle has the perfect build for a swimmer and is going to be a lot of fun to coach. I think that once she gets into our training program, we get her in the weight room and put some strength and power on her stroke, she will develop into a serious contributor for our program."
Hannah Matheson
Hometown: Skillman, N.J.
High School: Montgomery
High School Coach: Claire Scarpa
Club Team: Eastern Express Swim Club
Club Coach: Brent Matheson
Honors and Highlights: Swam at Montgomery High School for head coach Claire Scarpa...Has been the team MVP during each of her first three seasons at MHS...Was a first team All-Skyland Conference in the 200 IM last season and owns the conference record in the 100 butterfly...Earned Central Jersey Courier News All-Area accolades in two events as a junior...Garnered second team All-State laurels as a junior...owns the school record in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM...Swims for the Eastern Express Swim Club...Owns multiple club records...Is a Junior National Qualifier.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I love everything about the university. The campus is gorgeous, it has strong academics and the swimming program is a perfect fit for me. I felt like I was at home when I went on my visit to Penn State. Also, my dad is a Penn State swimming alumnus."
Hargis on Matheson: "Hannah is a Penn State girl, her father swam here. She comes from a great family and really fits the mold of what a Penn State student-athlete is. She is dedicated to her training and her academic pursuits and we are excited to get her on campus and believe she can really help us in the butterfly events."
Melissa Rodriguez
Hometown: Chihuahua, Mexico
High School: Tecnologico de Monterrey
Club Team: Britania Desert Dragons
Club Coach: Nico Torres
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Tecnologico de Monterrey and head coach Nicolas Torres Perez...Owns the city, region and state records in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke...Swims for the Britania Desert Dragons...Qualified for the Scholar-Centro American Games in 2009 and 2010...Competed at the Pan-Am Games in 2011...Qualified for the Junior Pan-Pacific Championships in 2012.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it was the perfect combination of academics and athletics for me."
Hargis on Rodriguez: "Melissa has already been on campus with us for a semester. She is a sweet kid and an incredibly hard worker. She adapted well to the training and campus life right away and had an unbelievable second half of the season for us. She broke our school record and qualified for NCAAs in the 200 breaststroke. She is really going to help us move forward in the breaststroke and IM events."
Katie Saloky
Hometown: Bloomsburg, Pa.
High School: Central Columbia
High School Coach: Tim Gardner
Club Team: Sunbury YMCA
Club Coach: Jerry Foley
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Central Columbia High School and head coach Tim Gardner...Won the PIAA State Championship in the 50 freestyle as a sophomore...Earned All-State honors in the 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle and medley relays...Garnered All-American honors three times during her career...Owns the school record in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke...A part of the relay squad that broke the PIAA record in the 200 medley relay as a junior...Swims for the Sunbury YMCA...Finished ninth in the 50 freestyle at Nationals...Qualified for the Junior Olympics in the 50 freestyle.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because of its outstanding reputation and the great balance it provides between swimming and academics. Also, the team made me feel instantly welcome."
Hargis on Saloky: "Katie is an extremely talented swimmer and will really add a solid swimmer to our sprint freestyle group. She has the ability to provide depth in our freestyle lineup and in other areas where we need it."
Stefanie Schmidt
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
High School: Mount Douglas
High School Coach: Shona Lindsay
Club Team: Island Swimming Club
Club Coach: Ryan Mallette
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Mount Douglas Secondary School and head coach Shona Douglas this season...was the 2011 British Columbia Provincial Champion in the 100 backstroke...competed for the Island Swimming Club in 2012-13... Finished 12th in the 200 backstroke at the 2012 Canadian Olympic Trials...Three-time National Age Group Champion, winning titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011...Was awarded the 2010 Canadian Nationals/Pan-Pac Trials Female Rookie of the Meet...was a member of the 2012 Canadian Junior Pan-Pacific Games team...Won the gold medal in the 200 backstroke at the Australian-Canadian Junior Team Tour.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I fell in love with the school spirit and environment. Being on campus, I felt a part of something bigger than myself. It has outstanding academics and is one of the rising Division I swimming programs. There is a great atmosphere on the team that I can't wait to be a part of."
Hargis on Schmidt: "Stefanie was a member of the Junior National Team at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships for Canada and is on the Canadian National Team radar as a very accomplished swimmer. We want to be able to help her continue to pursue her goal of making the Canadian National Team and continuing to contribute to their national program in the future. She is a talented backstroker, but also swims distance freestyle very well. She has the ability to be a versatile contributor to our program and it will be fun to watch her train and fun to coach an athlete of her caliber."
Katelyn Sowinski
Hometown: Severna Park, Md.
High School: Annapolis Area Christian School
High School Coach: Scott Ward
Club Team: Eagle Swim Team
Club Coach: Scott Ward
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Annapolis Area Christian School and head coach Scott Ward this season...competed for the Eagle Swim Team prior to AACS adding the program in 2012...Qualified for three events at the U.S. Olympic Trials...Earned spots on the Junior National, National, and World Championship rosters during her career.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I loved everything about the campus. It provides a great education in a beautiful location and the loyalty to the school is huge. I love the coaching staff immediately and the team was great, which was the most important part for me. They made me feel like a part of the team immediately."
Hargis on Sowinski: "Katelyn is an extremely talented person with an unbelievable family. She is a very smart kid and very goal driven, has high aspirations for the sport and what she wants to accomplish, which meshes with our philosophy. She is going to help in so many areas and the sky is the limit for Katelyn and what she can accomplish for herself and our program."
Kerry Treusdell
Hometown: Churchville, Md.
High School: C. Milton Wright
Club Team: North Baltimore Aquatic Center
Club Coach: Erik Posegay
Honors and Highlights: Competed at C. Milton Wright High School as a freshman and sophomore before training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Center the past two seasons...Was a two time County All-Star while at CMWHS...Owns school record in 100 backstroke...Super sectional swimmer in eight events, including five freestyle strokes, 100 & 200 backstroke and 400 IM.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it offered me the opportunity to swim at a nationally recognized university while receiving an excellent education. The coaches and my future teammates were great during my visit and they made me feel like a part of the team the first time I met them."
Hargis on Treusdell: "Kerry trains at the North Baltimore Aquatic Center and has the ability to be a very good distance swimmer for us in the future. She is just now coming into her own as a swimmer and has been adapting to some new training, so I think her upside is immeasurable. To get her on campus and into a consistent training program day-in and day-out is going to be big for her and our program."
Annie Valentine
Hometown: Dearborn, Mich.
High School: Mercy
High School Coach: Shannon Dunworth
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Mercy High School and head coach Shannon Dunworth...Helped MHS to the Division II State Championship as a freshman and sophomore...Earned All-Catholic League laurels during each of her four seasons...Won the Catholic League 100 butterfly crown as a senior...Four-time All-Area selection...Garnered All-State accolades as a sophomore, junior and senior...Swam three years for the Dearborn Recreation Dolphins.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because the academics and athletics are both challenging and the university offers tremendous opportunities to grow as a person."
Hargis on Valentine: "I think that Annie is a diamond in the rough. She trains with all guys and is an extremely talented swimmer in the backstroke and butterfly. Annie still has a few things that she can work on, but she is an incredibly talented kid that we are looking forward to getting on campus."
Megan Wujciak
Hometown: West Caldwell, N.J.
High School: Mt. St. Dominic Academy
High School Coach: Kelly Searfoss
Club Team: Cougar Aquatic Team
Club Coach: Kit Ashenfelter
Honors and Highlights: Swam for Mt. Saint Dominic Academy and head coach Kelly Searfoss...Helped MSDA to the Non-Public B Championships as a junior...Led the squad to a pair of Essex County Championships...Earned first team All-Essex County as a sophomore and junior...Garnered second team All-State honors as a junior...Qualified for the New Jersey Meet of Champions in the 100 & 200 free, along with the 200 & 400 freestyle relays...Swims for Cougar Athletic Team...Was a part of the 2011 and 2012 New Jersey Junior Olympic Championship team.
On Choosing Penn State: "I chose Penn State because I absolutely love everything about the university. It has a great combination of athletic sand academics, which is exactly what I was looking for in a school. The school spirit is something you cannot find anywhere else. The commitment and determination that the swimmers at Penn State have to be the best is unbelievable and I want to be a part of that."
Hargis on Wujciak: "Megan is a kid that has a very limited background in the sport, but as she develops and gets into a good training and weight program she has the ability to become a very good swimmer. There are a lot of areas that Megan can help us in and we are excited about that."
--NITTANY LIONS--