CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois head coach Sue Novitsky has announced the addition of five team members to the Fighting Illini swimming and diving program for a total of nine new faces this upcoming season. Novitsky inked a trio of incoming freshmen to National Letters of Intent as well as landing a pair of transfers this spring.
The fresh faces to collegiate swimming include Rebecca Eckblad of Grand Blanc, Michigan, Autumn Ledgin hailing from Boca Raton, Florida, and Aby Olson of Loves Park, Illinois. Additionally, Audrey Rodawig returns to her hometown of Champaign, Illinois, after spending her first season at Ball State University. Charli Wike returns to her home state following a season with the UW-Milwaukee program.
“As a staff we feel that we added to the talent level of the recruits that we signed in the fall,” shared Novitsky. “They have had success at the high school, club, collegiate and national level. As a group they are hard workers in the pool and in the classroom. Their work ethic and individual personalities will be assets to the team. As coaches we are looking forward to the opportunity to help them continue to develop as athletes and individuals. They are excited to represent the Fighting Illini.”
Rebecca Eckblad
Notes: YMCA National qualifier … NSCA Junior National qualifier … Personal best 50 freestyle time of :24.58 … 100 freestyle best of :53.17 … Top time of :58.20 in 100 backstroke … Best mark of 2:04.62 in the 200 backstroke … USA Swimming Club: Flint Y Falcons … High school: Grand Blanc High School.
Coach Novitsky on Eckblad: “Rebecca is a great addition to the team. She has continued to develop throughout her high school career and we feel that trend will continue. Rebecca is a great student with a strong work ethic and the motivation to keep working to improve. She is excited to wear the Orange and Blue and will be a terrific asset to the team.”
Autumn Ledgin
Notes: Florida High School State qualifier … Top 500 freestyle time of 5:18.85 … 1000 freestyle best mark of 11:17.70 … Recorded a personal-best mark of 1:01:89 in the 100 backstroke … Owns a personal-best time of 2:12.64 in the 200 backstroke … USA Swimming Club: Saint Andrews Swimming … High School: Grandview Preparatory High School.
Coach Novitsky on Ledgin: “We are excited to bring Autumn back to Champaign. She is a motivated athlete that is willing to put in the work to improve. We feel that she has the tools to be able to continue to drop a lot of time. She is a strong student that is looking to major in Civil Engineering. Her pleasant personality and passion are some of the reasons why we felt she was a good addition to the team.”
Abigayle “Aby” Olson
Notes: Three-time Illinois High School State qualifier … USA Swimming Winter Junior National qualifier … NSCA Junior National qualifier … Finished third in the 100 backstroke her senior season at the Illinois High School State meet … Personal-best time of :55.96 in the 100 backstroke … 100 butterfly top-time of :58.91 … High School: Boylan Catholic High School.
Coach Novitsky on Olson: “Aby had a breakout senior year finishing third in the 100 backstroke at the Illinois High School State meet. She has a limited background and this presents an exciting opportunity to help her continue to develop. Her time in the 100 backstroke would currently rank her in our top-10 all-time. Aby is another strong student with the drive to continue to improve. We are excited to watch her compete for the Orange & Blue.”
Audrey Rodawig
Notes: YMCA National qualifier … USA Swimming Winter National qualifier … three-time Illinois High School State qualifier … At the 2015 MAC Championships: finished 10th in the 100 freestyle, finished 12th in the 100 butterfly, Took sixth place as a member of the 400 freestyle relay team, finished in seventh place as part of the 200 freestyle relay unit, earned eighth place on both the 800 freestyle relay team and in the 200 medley relay … At the 2014 MAC Championships: set the Ball State University school record in the 200 freestyle relay … Registered a personal-best mark of :23.61 in the 50 freestyle … Clocked an all-time best of :50.48 in the 100 freestyle … 200 freestyle top-time of 1:50.16 … Personal-record of :55.31 in the 100 butterfly … USA Swimming Club: Champaign County YMCA … High School: Centennial Rodawig … Previous College: Ball State University.
Coach Novitsky on Rodawig: “Audrey is a fantastic addition to the team and we are excited to bring her home to Champaign. She had a terrific MAC Championship meet last year for Ball State. She swam all of her best times at that meet. Her times in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly would rank her in our top-10 all-time. We are excited for the opportunity to work with her and help her continue to develop. She will come in and help our sprint freestyle and butterfly groups and compete for relay spots. In addition to her strong athletic resume, she is an outstanding student. She will be a great representative for the Fighting Illini.”
Charli Wike:
Notes: Three-time High School State qualifier … NSCA Junior National qualifier … At the 2015 Horizon League Championships: finished sixth in the 200 breaststroke, finished eighth in the 100 breaststroke … Top 100 breaststroke time of 1:04.94 … Personal-best of 2:20.85 in the 200 breaststroke … USA Swimming Club: Sterling Stingrays Swim Club … High School: Sterling High School … Previous College: UW-Milwaukee.
Coach Novitsky on Wike: “Charli is a great addition to our breaststroke group. She had a strong freshman season at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and we are looking to build upon that success. Charli has the drive to work hard and continue to push herself to get stronger. She has a delightful personality and is a hard working student. Charli will be a fantastic representative for the Orange & Blue.”
Swimming news courtesy of Illinois Swimming & Diving.