STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Swimming and Diving Head Coach Nate Kellogg announced the signing of eight student-athletes in the regular signing period.
With the addition of Athena Cimino, Madison Heydinger, Anna Kassis, Abigail Moore, Hannah Mudge, Rachel Pelzek, Mary Roberts and Stephanie Williams the class of 2019 now sits at 13 signees. Information on each new signee is listed below.
The new group will join Mykala Arnold, Addie Howser, Anna Rose Moore, Courtney Schaefer and Breanna Stuart, who signed NLIs in the November early period.
The incoming class will compete for the Eagles in the upcoming 2015-16 season.
New Signees:
Athena Cimino
Hometown: Land O Lakes, Florida
High School: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Tampa Bay Aquatics
Club Coach: Julia Lamb
Top Times: 50 Free (23.88), 100 Free (52.70), 200 Free (1:53.83)
Quote from Kellogg: “We are excited Athena has chosen to be an Eagle. While a natural athlete, she is an underdeveloped sprinter with a tremendous amount of promise. Athena is just beginning to realize her full potential and will have an immediate impact on our team. We couldn’t be happier to have Athena join our program.”
Madison Heydinger
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
High School: Park Hill High School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Club North Swimming
Club Coach: Todd Harvey
Top Times: 100 Free (55.15), 200 Free (1:57.90), 500 Free (5:13.45)
Quote from Kellogg: “Madison is a welcomed addition to our program and will provide depth in the middle distance events. She has made big improvements over the past few seasons and we expect her to continue that trend as an Eagle.”
Anna Kassis
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
High School: The Bolles School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Bolles School Sharks
Club Coach: Jon Sakovich
Top Times: 200 Free (1:56.63), 500 Free (5:10.98), 1000 Free (10:38.13), 100 Fly (59.07), 200 Fly (2:07.68)
Quote from Kellogg: “We are thrilled to have Anna join our program. Coming from one of the top club programs and schools in the country in The Bolles School, she has an outstanding work ethic in the pool and the classroom. Anna will be a great fit for our distance group and we are excited she is an Eagle.”
Abigail Moore
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: Lane Technical High School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Six Points Aquatics
Club Coach: Andy Parro
Top Times: 50 Free (24.33), 100 Free (53.32)
Quote from Kellogg: “Abbey is a wonderful addition to our program. Growing up, she split time between volleyball and swimming and has just recently devoted her full attention to swimming. At 5’11” she is an explosive athlete and will blossom in our sprint group. Abbey will be able to contribute immediately on relays. Abbey is a terrific fit for Georgia Southern University and our swimming and diving program and we are thrilled she is an Eagle.”
Hannah Mudge
Hometown: Marshfield, Massachusetts
High School: Marshfield High School
Intended Major: Nursing
Club Team: South Shore Diving
Club Coach: Craig Dollof
Quote from Giambra: “We are extremely excited to announce that Hannah Mudge is going to be an Eagle next year. Hannah comes from Marshfield, Massachusetts where she dives for South Shore Diving. She is a positive person who has a great attitude towards hard work and getting better. Hannah is a very strong diver that we expect to have an immediate impact on the team. We can’t wait see Hannah compete for the Eagles.”
Rachel Pelzek
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
High School: Sequoyah High School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Chattahoochee Gold
Club Coach: Mark Schilling
Top Times: 50 Free (24.16), 100 Free (52.49), 200 Free (1:54.01), 100 Back (58.31), 200 Back (2:08.13)
Quote from Kellogg: “Rachel is an outstanding addition and we are ecstatic to have her join our program. She comes from one of the best club programs in Georgia under coach Mark Schilling and has a great background. Rachel is a fantastic fit and will undoubtedly have an impact on our program.”
Mary Roberts
Hometown: Coronado, California
High School: Cathedral Catholic High School
Intended Major: Education
Club Team: College Area Swim Team
Club Coach: Dave Kilmer
Top Times: 50 Free (23.91), 100 Free (52.69), 100 Fly (58.02)
Quote from Kellogg: “Coming from a water polo background, Mary has only been swimming year-round for three years. She is very raw and has natural gifts we are excited about. Mary’s outgoing personality is a natural fit for our team and we couldn’t be more excited for her to join our program.”
Stephanie Williams
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Turpin High School
Intended Major: Exercise Science
Club Team: Northern Kentucky Clippers
Club Coach: Jason Roberts and Norm Wright
Top Times: 200 Free (1:55.82), 500 Free (5:05.18)
Quote from Kellogg: “Stephanie will be a significant asset to our program and could not be more excited she has chosen to be an Eagle. Even while battling mono this winter at her championship meet, she exhibited tremendous toughness and nearly went best times. With consistent training, the sky is the limit for Stephanie’s potential.”
Swimming news courtesy of Georgia Southern Swimming and Diving.