COLLEGE, Pa. ¨C FEBRUARY 6, 2003 ¨C The Penn State Swimming and Diving teams have announced that 12 high school students have signed national letters of intent for the 2003-04 season. Four of the newcomers hail from the state of Pennsylvania.
The signees for the men¡¯s team are: Ofer Finkler (Ramot & Vietzman Institute/ Rishon Le-Zion, Israel) was a member of the 2000-02 Israeli National Team and competes in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly; Patrick Healey (LaSalle HS/Philadelphia, Pa.) holds the Philadelphia Catholic School Record in the 500 freestyle and swims the 200 and 500 freestyle and Nathan Torok (Council Rock HS/Newtown, Pa.) is a high school and YMCA All-American who competes in the 100 & 200 backstroke and the 200 freestyle.
Head Coach Bill Dorenkott stated, ¡°Our staff identified three qualities that we are looking for in this year¡¯s class: the first is young men with character; the second is a strong desire to gain an education that will last a lifetime and finally, student-athletes who expect the best from themselves and those around them in the pool. We believe that these young men more than meet these criteria.¡±
The women that signed national letters of intent are: Racheal Ahrenhold (Germantown Academy/Bluebell, Pa.) is a four-time All-American and competes in Sprint freestyle events; Jessica Barnes (Bishop Shanahan HS/Glenmore, Pa.) whose events are the 100 & 200 backstroke, Rikki Covey (Spokane, Wash) is a first team All-American and competes in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle; Nikki Collins (Carmel HS/Carmel, Ind.) swims the 200, 500, and 1650 freestyle; Chelsea Frank (Manchester West HS/Bedford, N.H.) competes in the 100 & 200 backstroke; Claire Hawley (Barnstable HS/Centreville, Mass.) swims the 400 Free, 400 IM, and the 200 IM; Margy Keefe (Ursuline Academy/Cincinnati, Ohio) is a member of the U.S. Open water National Team and swims distance freestyle events; Erin Morris (Snider HS/Ft. Wayne, Ind.) is the Indiana State high school champion in the 100 Backstroke whose events include the 200 & 500 freestyle, 200 & 400 IM and the 100 & 200 backstroke and Wesley Swafford (Beechwood HS/Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) was the 2002 regional 200 IM champion at the Kentucky State Championships and her events are the 100 free, 100 & 200-yard breaststroke, 200 IM, and the 100 butterfly
Dorenkott added, ¡°One of the hallmarks of championship caliber teams is a healthy blend of quality and depth. The Penn State Swimming Class of 2007 brings with it a combination of national level experience along with some emerging talent. Our staff is pleased to have the opportunity to coach this group for the next four years.¡±
The Penn State Swimming and Diving team will be back in action on Friday, February 7, 2003 at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pa.
-LIONS-
