LAWRENCE, Kan. – The swimming and diving team inked four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the NCAA’s early signing period to continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of Kansas.
Joining the Jayhawks for the 2014-15 season will be Nika Fellows, Lydia Pocisk, Maddie Straight and Zoya Wahlstrom.
“We are excited for them to get here next year,” head coach Clark Campbell said. “They are going to come in and contribute right off the bat. They are all strong in their events and they will be addressing certain areas due to the loss of this year’s seniors graduation. Bottom line is all four will come in and make an immediate impact and help us in areas that we aren’t our strong events.”
Nika Fellows • Distance Freestyle • Albuquerque, N.M. • La Cueva High • VAST
Fellows is a U.S. Open qualifier and made Winter National cuts in the 200-, 500-, 1000- and 1650-yard freestyle. In her sophomore year of high school, she was the high school state champion in the 200-yard freestyle. He junior year, she took home the state title in both the 200- and 500-yard freestyle races, respectively.
“Nika is coming in because we will be graduating Alison Moffit and Morgan Sharp, who currently swim the longer freestyle events,” Campbell said. “Her coach, Gordy is a tremendous developer of talent. I can see Nika coming in and teaming up with Lindsay Manning and making us strong in the longer freestyle events for a while. It will be nice to have her here.”
Lydia Pocisk • Breaststroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley • Dayton, Ohio. • Oakwood High • Dayton Raiders
Pocisk is a U.S. Open qualifier and made Winter National cuts in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. She was the state champion last season in the 100-yard breaststroke and was a 2013 National Qualifier. Pocisk is the sister of current Jayhawk, Gretchen Pocisk.
“She is like her sister in the sense that she is a breaststroker as well. We are bringing her in because Alison Lusk will be graduating. Next year, Bryce Hinde and the Pocisk sisters will lead the breaststroke. Her sister has improved and I’m sure that Lydia will be ready to improve as well. The sisters have family that went to school here and they are strong Jayhawks. It will be cool to have them both here.”
Maddie Straight • Individual Medley, Backstroke • Fort Worth, Texas • Central High • Lakeside Aquatic Club
Straight is an All-American in the 200-yard individual medley and 200-yard medley relay. She held the all-district, all-region and all-state title in her freshman, sophomore and junior year. She was honored as the Central High School Swimmer of the Year all three years as well. She earned USA Scholastic All-American honors and is a member of the National Honors Society at Central.
“Madison is going to come in right away and help give some depth to the IM events,” Campbell said. “It’s great that we have Chelsie now to specialize in the 400 IM and Madison will come in and help us out in the 200 IM. Usually the individual medley girls are versatile and she is no different. Her ceiling is high and hopefully being around Chelsie will help pull that potential out of her.”
Zoya Wahlstrom • Butterfly • Lakeville, Minn. • Lakeville North High • Edina Swim Club
Wahlstrom made Winter National cuts in the 100-yard butterfly and took fourth at the state meet in the same event.
“I coached her club coach, Jeff Rodriquez when I was at Minnesota, so I have known about Zoya for quite some time,” Campbell said. “She has really come on strong as of late. Last year was her first year of making the state finals. She also qualified for the NCSA Junior meet and has qualified for Winter Nationals. She is headed in the right track. Zoya has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and it will be fun to work with her.”
Campbell said his current student-athletes are excited about the new recruits coming in next year.
“It’s a lot of work to recruit these girls and the work that Jen (Fox) has done has paid off. Once they get here on campus visits, the team gets into it and sells the program. They are there to answer the questions for the new girls. I know they are excited about them joining us next season. We have big shoes to fill but we are headed in the right direction.”
Press release courtesy of Kansas Swimming and Diving.