The Colorado State Rams swimming & diving team will add seven new competitors for the 2017-18 season. Six swimmers and one diver will make up the freshman class that will be arriving in Fort Collins next season.
The Rams coaching staff believes this group of student-athletes will help advance the program further in the pool, in the classroom and in the community.
“We are so proud to announce our class of 2017 signees,” CSU Head Coach Christopher Woodard stated. “We know this class of standout student-athletes bring the academic resume, the character and the raw potential to make a huge impact on our program for years to come. We have a feeling that they will not only address some of our needs in the pool, but will eventually be the leaders of our Ram swimming and diving program.”
Olivia Chatman
Chatman, a Colorado Springs native, swam for the Altitude Performance Swim Team and at Pine Creek High School… Chatman swam mostly in backstroke and freestyle events… She was selected as a USA Swimming National Diversity Select Camp athlete, and was named NISCA Top 16 in the state… Academically, she is a member of both the National French and English Honor Societies and was student council representative.
Woodard on Chatman: “Olivia Chatman is a great in-state pickup for the Rams. Olivia’s personality and character help make her a tremendous fit for our program. She has the frame, the attitude and the technical aspects to help us in the sprint free, butterfly and backstroke events. We know that she and APST Coach Mike Stromberg have some big plans for her senior season.”
Jennae Frederick
Frederick is a Littleton, Colorado native that swam for the Denver Swim Academy and at Regis Jesuit High School… Frederick specialized in butterfly and individual medley events, and helped her squad earn automatic All-America qualification in both the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays… The Regis Jesuit captain is a National Honor Society member and was a member of the all-city team in the Aurora area.
Woodard on Frederick: “Nick Frasersmith and the coaching staff at Denver Sports Academy continue to crank out well-balanced kids like Jennae Frederick. A great student-athlete who is making drops every season, we know Jennae has the ability to make an impact on the Mountain West landscape. She will lend depth and talent to an already strong butterfly and IM group here at CSU.”
Madison Gordley
Gordley, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, swamp for the Vipers of Albuquerque Swim Team (VAST), and at Hope Christian High School… Competed in individual medley events at both 200 and 400 yards, as well as freestyle events… Gordley was the 2015 200 IM state champion, and holds a best time of 2:06.69 in the event… Is a three-time member of the National Honor Society.
Woodard on Gordley: “Madison Gordley is a state champion that hails from New Mexico and is currently training with Coach Gordy Westburg of VAST. Madison is a great all-around swimmer, and is a serious student of the game. She possesses the attitude and discipline we want on our squad and she has the capability to bolster our lineup in several events, including the IM, Free and Fly events.”
Lizzy Pfeifer
Pfiefer, a native of Fishers, Indiana, swam for the Fishers Area Swimming Tigers (FAST) and at Fishers High School… She swam primarily in butterfly events, along with individual medley and freestyle… She earned an All-American award for in the 200 medley relay… Led Fishers HS to a runner-up finish in the 2015 Indiana state championship… She is a National Honor Society member and a French National Honor Society member.
Woodard on Pfiefer: “We know that Lizzy Pfeifer can make an immediate impact on our program. Coming from the highly-regarded program of Fishers Area Swim Team under the guidance of Coach Jay Chambers, Lizzy has made great strides in her events and is tough all-around. We know that she can help us in several events, but especially as an impact player in the butterfly.”
Roslyn Selznick
Selznick, a native of Park City, Utah, swam for Park City Swimming and at Park City High School… The freestyle specialist won 11 state championships and holds a pair of state records, as well as one Utah long course record… Her top 50 free time is 24.33 and best 100 free mark is 52.42… Also holds four school records.
Woodard on Selznick: “We’re so eager to get the opportunity to work with Rozie Selznick. She is a multiple high school state champion and Utah state record holder that possesses great sprinting ability. She has grown a considerable amount under the tutelage of Park City Coach Mike Werner and we know she is going to grow by leaps and bounds at the collegiate level.”
Madison Ward
Ward, a native of Walnut Creek, California, swam for the Walnut Creek Aquabears and for Las Lomas High School… Ward was a high school All-American in the 100 breaststroke and in the 200 medley relay… She was also a league champion in the 100 breaststroke, and qualified for multiple national competitions… Ward also earned Scholar Athlete distinction.
Woodard on Ward: “Maddie Ward is the type of impact athlete we need to continue our development as a program. Ward is a talented breaststroke and sprint freestyle athlete, who comes with a tremendous amount of athleticism and potential. Maddie is an All-American athlete with Nationals level experience and a host of water polo training behind her. We know that she and Coach Mike Heaney have a big season is store and we’re looking forward to participating in the step in her evolution.”
Skylar Williams
Williams, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, is a diver that competed for the Sun Devil Divers and at Sandra Day O’Connor High School… She was a state champion at the Division I level in Arizona, along with a USA Diving Region 9 champ… Williams was also a four-time qualifier for USA Diving West Nationals and three times qualified for the USA Diving Junior Nationals.
Head Diving Coach Chelsea Popplewell on Williams: “Williams is yet another state champion in our incoming class. Skylar won the Arizona state championship in 2015 and also brings a ton of experience at the national level. She is a three-time junior national qualifier as well as two-time USA Diving Age-Group Nationals Qualifier and four-time USA Diving West Nationals Qualifier. Skylar will add some depth to our team and be able to score big points for us in dual meets and the Mountain West. We plan on her making an immediate impact for us both on the boards and in the community and I can’t wait to get her to Fort Collins.”
News courtesy of Colorado State Athletics.