Swimming: WVU Inks Eight for 2006-07
December 16, 2005 03:17 PM | General
December 16, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University swimming and diving head coach Sergio Lopez today announced the signing of eight student-athletes for the fall 2006 season.
The five women signing with West Virginia are Kayla Andrews of Newark, Del.; Morgan Callaway of Coatesville, Pa.; Jackie Gonzalez of Bel Air, Md.; Shauna Purtell of The Woodlands, Texas; and Stephanie Roop of Downingtown, Pa.
The three men to sign with the Mountaineers are Tim Field of Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia, Justin Galbreath of Kettering, Ohio, and Michael Morford of Urbana, Ill.
"This signing class represents a very important step for WVU swimming and diving as this group brings a new, higher level of talent to the program," Lopez said. "As a group, these kids have swam at a high level without a lot of training. Their coaches have done a good job in teaching fundamentals, which we can build upon to make an immediate impact at BIG EAST and look to compete at the NCAA Championships."
Andrews is a high school All-American who won the 100 fly and finished second in the 100 back at the Deleware State Championships. Trained under Nate Keller at the Kenett Area YMCA, she is also the 2005 YMCA National champion in the 100 free.
"Kayla is a very talented and versatile swimmer," Lopez said. "We're lucky to sign someone of her caliber since we started the recruiting process with her very late."
Callaway, a freestyle and backstroke swimmer, is a decorated high school recruit, boasting four All-American titles under coach Dave Morris at the Brandywine Coatesville YMCA.
"Morgan is definitely an under-the-radar talent and is very motivated to swim fast as a Mountaineer," Lopez said. "With her room for growth, especially strength-wise, she has the potential to really elevate the WVU women's level of swimming."
Gonzalez brings experience from one of the best club teams in America, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC) under coach Scott Armstrong. A three-time Maryland all-state team member and a two-time champion of the Sunfest Open Water 3k, Gonzalez still holds the 13-14 national age-group record in the 800 free relay. A very versatile swimmer, she will look to contribute in the 200 back, 400 IM and 500 free events.
"We're very fortunate to sign someone like Jackie who can swim well in many events," Lopez said. "She has a strong background and good work ethic with a lot of positive energy. All of those things make her valuable to this team."
Purtell, a three-time All-American, swims in the freestyle and backstroke events. A team captain for The Woodlands Swim Team under the coaching of Scott McFarland and Tim Bauer, she placed third in the 2003 state championships.
"I'm excited to coach someone as talented as Shauna," Lopez said. "She's already matching thespeed of our fastest swimmers and still has a ton of potential to develop. Needless to say, she adds a lot of talent on the women's side."
Roop is a distance swimmer coming to WVU with limitless enthusiasm and energy. Coached by Glenn Neufeld of the Upper Main Line YMCA, she placed second a the 2005 YMCA Nationals in the mile and fourth in the 800 free. She has also qualified for Junior Nationals in the 1650 free and 200 back. Along with her club accolades, Roop placed fifth in the 50 free at the Pennsylvania high school state championships and is a three-time all-district and all-state selection during her first three years.
"Just talking to Stephanie is exciting and I can't wait to see the immediate impact she'll have on not just the distance group but on the entire team," Lopez said. "I really believe WVU is a great match for Stephanie both academically and athletically and I look forward to helping her develop into one of the best distance swimmer in the BIG EAST."
On the men's side, Field is a backstroker from Australia where he placed sixth in the 200 back and 13th in the 100 back at the age group nationals. Coached by Rick Curl at the Carlile Swim Team, Field also qualified for the Australian Open Nationals, Olympic Trials and World Championship Trials in the 100 and 200 back.
"Tim's coach, Rick Curl, called to tell me about him," Lopez said. "From the first moment I spoke with Tim, I felt that he could help us at all levels. Tim is a very young swimmer who has great potential in the backstroke and mid-distance events."
Galbreath is a very focused distance swimmer who has won three titles at the 2005 YMCA National Long Course Championships, including the 400, 800 and 1500 free. In addition to qualifying for Senior Nationals, Galbreath is a high school All-American in the 200 and 500 free and has been his high school's MVP since his freshman year.
"We're very lucky to gain a distance swimmer of Justin's caliber," Lopez said. "Justin's father, who is his coach at Kettering YMCA, swam for the Mountaineers and Justin himself can make a lasting impression on not just this program but on the national level as well."
Medford is a freestyle and backstroke swimmer hailing from Illinois. An all-state selection as well as being a three-time captain and two-time MVP of his high school team, Medford was a member of the Champaign Aquachiefs YMCA, coached by Gary Crowe. His best events are the 100 free and 100 back and will be a powerful addition to the sprint group.
"With his height, training background and athletic family, Mike will have an immediate impact at BIG EAST and even the NCAA level in the future," Lopez said. "He's already gone fast without a lot of training, so it will be exciting to see how he develops his potential."
"The most exciting part of this process is proof that we have developed into a strong and cohesive team that can attract very talented swimmers and establish ourselves in the BIG EAST and at t the national level," Lopez said. "This is due to the great dedication of the kids we have now and I'm very proud of the way the team has embraced the coaches and our vision."
