Six swimmers from the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County have signed their National Letters of Intent to their desired Division I program. They include:
Maddie Meisel (University of Utah)
Lindsey Engel (Stanford University)
Michael Schiffer (Notre Dame)
Breanne Tran (Cal Poly, SLO)
Rachel Thompson (Washington State)
Devin Newton (TCU)
Meisel has an impressive 100 back, 58.63, and 100 fly, 56.78. And while her short course 200 butterfly is 2:08, her 200 meter fly time of 2:17.65 qualifies her for Winter Nationals. That yard time should come down easily this season before she heads to Utah. And she has been as fast as 1:51.15 and 4:53.68 in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle, respectively.
Engel is one of the top swimmers in the Class of 2014 (#5 by our rankings). She has best times of 22.2 in the 50 yard free and 48.9 in the 100 yard free to go along with 53-lows in both the 100 fly and the 100 back. Her commitment over the summer jump started Stanford to earn the #1 recruiting class this season.
Schiffer is a breaststroke specialist, and can also swim the individual medley races. His bests include a 56.81/2:03.53 100 and 200 breaststroke, plus 1:52.68 200 IM. His 200 breaststroke is even stronger long course, hitting the National standard with a time of 2:22.62.
Tran will add to Cal Poly’s backstroke and sprint freestyle events. Her bests include 24.01 and 53.02 50/100 freestyle. But her best events are in the backstroke, with 100 backstroke she will bring in a 55.76, and a 25.86 relay split in the 50.
Thompson gives the Cougars ones of their biggest signees this fall. She is freestyle and backstroke swimmer, and can swim any range of distance. Her bests include 24.52/51.80/1:50.60/4:58.47 50 freestyle on up, plus 57.96/2:04.59 100/200 backstroke. Her 200 freestyle would have been the best last season for the Cougars.
Newton is one of the stronger signees for the Horned Frogs this fall. She has versatility being able to swim freestyle, backstroke, IM’s and her best stroke of breaststroke. She boosts 52- 100 freestyle, 57- 100 backstroke, 2:03- 200 IM, and a 1:03.89 100 breaststroke. Her 100 breaststroke would have ranked her 2nd at TCU last season.
All swimmers are coached by Head Coach Chris Duncan.
Congrats to all fantastic and awesome athletes and to the coachig staffs of JCC WAVES. Coach Chris….thank you for helping them grow as a person and great swimmer that they are. It was fun watching them grow individually. Again congratulations on a successful program and recruiting class.
Congrats to an impressive group of swimmers. Coach Chris Duncan has done a fantastic job developing a great group of swimmers congrats to one and all!