Kentucky men?s and women?s swimming coach Gary Conelly announced the signing of 10 student-athletes for the 2008-09 season. Claire Archibald (Benoni, South Africa), Grant Cooksey (Louisville, Ky.), Kelsi Hall (Yorktown, Ind.), Lindsay Lash (Columbus, Ohio), Mandy Myers (Raleigh, N.C.), Chelsea Peterson (Plymouth, Wisc.), Ben Russell (Lafayette, Ind.), Matt Russell (Augusta, Ga.), Adam Twer (Carmel, Ind.) and Jenna Willis (Lafayette, Ind.) all signed national letters of intent to join the Wildcat swimming program during the fall signing period.
On the women?s side, six swimmers were added to help replace the 2008 senior class who will have eight swimmers depart at the end of the season.
?This is the best women?s class we have ever signed,? said Conelly. ?Most of the women in this class either already have times that will qualify them for the NCAA Championships, or they have times that are significantly below the NCAA ?B? cut.?
All six of the swimmers have incredible talent and are sure to fit into the lineup immediately, Conelly added.
?All are legitimate talents who can swim on an international stage,? he said. ?All of the ladies have the ability to make their Olympic Trials and Olympic teams.?
The UK 2008 senior class will graduate some of the best swimmers ever to don the Blue and White. Heather and Jenny Bradford have combined for 22 All-America distinctions, while all of the senior women have contributed points to the SEC Championship teams.
?I am very pleased to have an incoming class that will not just replace those outgoing great seniors, but will surpass them over the course of their four years with us,? Conelly said.
On the men?s side, Kentucky has added four swimmers, while they will lose just three seniors to graduation this year.
?We are off to a great start with the early signees in this class,? said Conelly.
The men will see seniors Grant Nelson, Kristian Outinen and Will Vietti graduate in May. Outinen and Vietti are the best two breaststrokers in school history, while Nelson has been consistent in the distance butterfly and freestyle strokes.
?This year?s senior class is very small, but very talented,? said Conelly. ?Our four signees will go a long way in replacing this class and combined with our team returning next season, I think we will produce our best ever swim team in the fall of 2008.?
Claire Archibald (Benoni, South Africa): Holds several backstroke records in her native South Africa.
Conelly on Archibald?
?Claire might be one of the best recruits we?ve ever had. She swims every stroke, and will be a threat to win just about any event in any of our dual meets. She is an outstanding backstroker. I have every reason to believe that she will be an NCAA qualifier in her freshman season individually, and as a member of our relay teams.
Grant Cooksey (Louisville, Ky.): Finished in the top-16 in the country for 17-18 year olds in the 100-yard breaststroke; a two-time High School All-American; state champion in the 100-breast and runner-up in the 100-fly; named first team All-State.
Conelly on Cooksey?
?He has developed an outstanding breaststroke, qualifying for Senior Nationals and the Olympic Trials. He looks to be on schedule to qualifying for the NCAA Championships in his freshman season. Replacing our breaststrokers was a key concern for us, and signing Grant was a big relief.?
Kelsi Hall (Yorktown, Ind.): East Central Indiana Athlete of the Year; All-American athlete; Two-time IHSAA State Champion in the 50-free, fifth (2006) and third (2007) in the 100-free; Holds the 50- and 100-free records at Yorktown High; Holds the 50-free sectional and Indiana association record.
Conelly on Hall?
?She is going to be an important component for our sprint relays and should be a favorite to earn a spot to the NCAA Championships in the 50-free. She has incredible speed which she will be able to develop into NCAA caliber swims in the 100- and 200-free events.?
Lindsay Lash (Columbus, Ohio): Backstroker who won the 100-back in the 2007 Ohio High School state meet.
Conelly on Lash?
?Lindsay is another very talented swimmer. She is already approaching NCAA qualifying times in her backstroke events and is close in many other events. She is strong in all four strokes, and will be a threat to win almost any event in dual meets as well as score in most events at the conference championships. I am confident that she will be going to the NCAA Championships in her freshman season.?
Mandy Myers (Raleigh, N.C.): Four-time All-American; North Carolina state record holder in the 200 free relay; YMCA national record holder in the 200-free relay; Holds five individual and one relay record on Apex High School swim team; Senior National qualifier in the 50- and 100-free.
Conelly on Myers?
?Mandy is one of the fastest sprinters we have recruited out of high school. She is also an excellent flyer and backstroker. She will make a formidable member of the relay team in dual, conference and NCAA competition.?
Chelsea Peterson (Plymouth, Wisc.): High school most valuable swimmer all four seasons; also played volleyball and basketball; chose swimming to concentrate on year-round.
Conelly on Peterson?
?Chelsea is going to surprise a lot of people in her freshman season. She hasn?t been swimming year-round for very long, but she is already going pretty fast times. More importantly, she has already developed a very powerful and efficient stroke. She is the sort of swimmer who will get visibly faster on a daily basis.?
Ben Russell (Lafayette, Ind.): Butterflyer and distance freestyler; senior national qualifier
Conelly on Russell?
?Ben is going to be a great addition to our fly and distance corp. He has already qualified for Senior Nationals. He will also add depth to our distance events. Ben is a very hard worker who will show significant improvement in his four years here.?
Matt Russell (Augusta, Ga.): Russell participates in the breaststroke and individual medley events
Conelly on Russell?
?Matt is going to be a very important piece to our team. He is a senior national qualifier who is closing in on his Olympic trial cuts. Not only does he have tremendous speed, but he really doesn?t have a bad stroke. He is the sort of guy who will help the team out in any event that we put him in. We feel that he has just scratched the surface of his talent level, and are looking forward to seeing how he develops in college.?
Adam Twer (Carmel, Ind.): High school All-American; High school state finalist; Member of Operation Ohama (select group of athletes preparing for Olympic Trials).
Conelly on Twer?
?Adam is a Senior National qualifier who will bolster our backstroke events. With Shane Eliason he should give us a strong one-two punch in the 100- and 200-back. This will be a real asset to us in dual meets.?
Jenna Willis (Lafayette, Ind.): High school most valuable swimmer, Holds records in the 100-breast, 200-IM, and 200- and 500-free; Hoosier Heartland Conference and sectional champion; National Honor Society member.
Conelly on Willis?
?Jenna will provide added depth to our breaststroke contingent. She works extremely hard, and has an amazing work ethic. Her ?can do? mentality will benefit her in the fastest conference in the country. We believe Jenna?s best swims are yet to come and we?re excited to be apart of her collegiate success.?
