Feb. 5, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky.— Kentucky men’s and women’s swimming coach Gary Conelly and diving coach Ted Hautau announced the signing of seven student-athletes for the 2009-10 season. John Blankenhorn (Libertyville, Ill.), John Fox (Littleton, Co.), Travis Green (South Charleston, W. Va.), Jon Keltner (Williamsburg, Va.), Zack McGinnis (Raleigh, N.C.), Kelcy Perry (Richmond, Ky.) and Trina Winsor (Sacramento, Calif.) all signed national letters of intent to join the Wildcat swimming and diving program during the fall signing period.
On the men’s side, four swimmers and a diver were added to the 2009-10 squad. All five of the athletes have been incredibly impressive in their high school careers and are expected to fit into the lineup immediately.
On the women’s side, Kentucky has added two swimmers, as they will lose just four swimmers to graduation in the spring.
John Blankenhorn
John Blankenhorn (Libertyville, Ill.): Is currently a senior at Libertyville High School and swims for the Cats Aquatic team in the USS/YMCA meets. Blankenhorn is a sprinter who competes in the 50-and 100-free. He has also seen time in mid-distance freestyle events and the individual medleys.
Top Times: 50-free (21.7); 100-free (46.80); 200-free (1:48); 200-IM (2:03.22)
Conelly on Blankenhorn: “John is a guy loaded with potential. He has a powerful frame, a nice stroke and plenty of desire to improve. I expect he will enjoy the challenge of collegiate training and the competitiveness of practice. Combine those attributes with the benefits of Coach Tracey’s weight room and I think it will all translate into some very fast swims in the short freestyle events.”
John Fox (Littleton, Co.): Is currently a senior at Chatfield Senior High and is an extremely accomplished diver. Was the MVP of his high school swimming and diving team as a junior. In his third season he was the runner-up at the Colorado 5A State High School Championships. He placed fourth on the platform and fifth on the three-meter at the 2008 AAU nationals. Additionally, Fox scored a sixth-place finish on the three-meter in synchronized diving and ninth place on the three-meter as an individual at the 2008 USA Senior Zone Championships.
Diving Coach Ted Hautau on Fox: “John is a good competitor with a lot of talent and drive. I expect him to be our top platform prospect immediately.”
Travis Green
Travis Green (South Charleston, W. Va.): A senior from South Charleston High School and YMCA national swimmer that competes with the Tri-County YMCA in Charleston. Green is a distance freestyler who also competes in individual medley events. He is a four-time state champion, as well as a two-time All-American.
Top Times: 200-free (1:42.5); 800-free (9:31.5); 1500-free (15:50.7); 400-IM (4:06.0)
Conelly on Green: “In the recruiting process we really felt we needed to bolster our mid-distance and distance freestyle corp. Travis will do just that. He and sophomore Morne’ Boshoff will be a terrific 1-2 punch in the 1000 or 1650. He will also help us develop a triple threat in the 500 with Morne’ and Tyler Reed. He will be a standout in the 400 IM event. Travis is going to flourish in the college environment.”
Jon Keltner (Williamsburg, Va.): Competes for Jamestown High School and the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins in the USS/YMCA events. Keltner sees action in the butterfly, backstroke and individual medley events.
Top Times: 100-back (52.5); 200-back (1:53.6); 100-fly (51.3); 200-fly (1:56.0); 400-IM (4:07.4)
Conelly on Keltner: “Jon is a very versatile swimmer and we expect him to strengthen our back, fly and IM events. He is a powerful swimmer who will grow even stronger in the UK weight room. He will give us a lot of flexibility in our dual meet lineup and should be a strong contender at the SECs.”
Zack McGinnis
Zack McGinnis (Raleigh, N.C.): McGinnis comes to UK from the Ravenscroft School and is the younger brother of current Kentucky swimmer Eric McGinnis. Zack McGinnis is a backstroker and 100-to-200-freestyler. McGinnis and Ravenscroft are three-time conference champions.
Top Times: 100-back (54.02); 200-back (1:57.1)
Conelly on McGinnis: “We were very excited to sign Zack. He has only recently devoted himself full-time to swimming, which may have caused him to be overlooked by many schools. He is going to make an immediate impact in college. Eric (McGinnis) has made substantial time drops every year and Zack has the same potential. It will be a challenge, but we are confident that Zack will help fill the backstroke void left from the graduation of Shane Eliason. He will also help out in the short free events”
Kelcy Perry
Kelcy Perry (Richmond, Ky.): Perry is an in-state signee from Model High School. Perry is a sprint freestyler and an All-American performer. She holds school records in the 100-fly and 100-back.
Top Times: 50-free (25.40); 100-free (54.16); 200-free (2:00.55); 400-free (5:27.14)
Conelly on Perry: “Kelcy comes to us from Tim Cahill’s program in Richmond, Ky. We have had great success with all the swimmers that Tim has sent to UK. Kelcy will be no exception. Like all of Tim’s swimmers, she has great stroke mechanics and plenty of speed. She will be a scoring threat in the 100-back and 100-fly as well as the sprint freestyles.”
Trina Winsor (Sacramento, Calif.): Winsor takes a cross-country trip to join the Wildcats in the Bluegrass by way of California. Winsor is a member of the Elk Grove High School and Sierra Marlins squads. She will compete in the mid-range and distance freestyle events.
Top Times: 400-free (4:52.00); 800-free (9:59.00)
Conelly on Winsor: “Trina is a very versatile freestyler. She is going to be a tremendous asset with her ability to swim from the 50 all the way up to the 1650 in freestyle. She can also fill in for us in individual medleys when needed. I think her best swimming is ahead of her. She will be a real threat to rewrite our record books from the 500 and up.”
