Courtesy: Milligan Athletics
MILLIGAN, Tenn. – Milligan University swim coach Spencer Scarth announced the addition of 10 new women who will join his program as commits for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Scarth’s squad graduated four of its top swimmers in program history, including their entire 200 and 400 medley All-American and school record-setting relays. This new group will look to quickly fill those gaps and build off three straight AAC championships and a program record 3rd-place national finish.
“This is a very well rounded group that will give us strengths in many areas for years to come. We were not particularly deep in distance freestyle, backstroke, or breaststroke and all three of those areas have grown tremendously. Between our men’s and women’s teams, this will also be the most diverse makeup of any squad we have ever had, with eight different countries represented. This group will be tremendous ambassadors for our team and have already shown great excitement to be here at MU. I could not be happier for the opportunity to work with each and every one of them and I’m very excited to see where this group helps lead us in the future.”
Below is the full list of Scarth’s class for the upcoming swim season.
Peyton Brady | Huntsville Swim Association | Madison, Ala.
Top Events: 200 Free (1:54.98) 1650 Free (17:38.02) 500 Free (5:08.66)
Why Milligan: “I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Milligan University! I want to thank all of the amazing swim coaches I’ve had thus far, from my first coaches who taught me the foundations of the sport; to my current coaches, who have taught me that sometimes you need to take a step back to take two steps forward. I also want to say thank you to my family, for always being there for me through all of the highs and lows. Lastly, thank you to Coach Spencer for this amazing opportunity! Go Buffs!!!!
Rosalee Wenhame | Prime Aquatics | Knoxville, Tenn.
Top Events: 500 Free (5:25.99) 1650 Free (18:52.15) 400 IM (4:58.81)
Why Milligan: “I am pleased to share that I have accepted an offer to continue my academic and swimming career at Milligan University. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in my swimming journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from my family, my Panama and USA coaches, and the Panama Swimming Federation. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. Go Buffs!”
Abby Pauls | Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club | Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Top Events: 50 Free (24.14) 100 Free (54.76) 200 IM (2:14.42)
Why Milligan: “I am so grateful and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Milligan University. I am so thankful for everyone who’s helped me get this far, and I can’t wait to see what adventures await me in northeastern Tennessee! Go Buffs!!! ”
Katelyn Williams | Barracuda Swim Club | Johnson City, Tenn.
Top Events: 1650 Free (17:48.21) 200 Free (1:57.40) 500 Free (5:13.77)
Why Milligan: “I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Milligan University!!! The swim team has been incredibly supportive and welcoming to me throughout this whole process. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, and all the coaches who have supported me through my whole life thus far. Most importantly, all glory to God for providing me with this amazing opportunity. I’m so excited for my next 4 years as a Water buff. Go Buffs!”
Emily Haas | Penticton Kisu Swim Club | Dieholzen, Germany
Top Events: 200 Back (2:10.80) 100 Free (55.54) 100 Back (1:00.63)
Why Milligan: “With grad around the corner, I’m happy to finally share my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Milligan University. I am so thankful to everyone who helped me get this far, especially my mom and all those amazing coaches I had over the years. I can’t wait to see what Tennessee has to offer and meet all my amazing future teammates. Go Buffs!”
Phoebe Lichty | Peachtree Aquatic Club | Newnan, Ga.
Top Events: 200 Free (2:02.34) 100 Breastroke (1:09.89) 200 Breastroke (2:31.93)
Why Milligan: “After much prayer, I’m so thankful and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue to both swim and study at Milligan University. I want to thank my family, teammates, friends, and coaches for the endless support through the process. I want to personally thank the coaches at Milligan for this incredible opportunity. Above all, thank you Jesus Christ for the guidance and encouragement. GO BUFFS!”
Kyleigh Mousty | Peoria Area Water Wizards | Morton, Ill.
Top Events: 200 Free (2:00.67) 1650 Free (18:45.17) 500 Free (5:27.34)
Why Milligan: “I’m absolutely overjoyed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at Milligan University! From the moment I stepped onto campus, I felt right at home. The team atmosphere was so amazing and everyone was so welcoming! Thank you so much to all of the teammates, coaches, friends, and family that have supported me along this incredible journey and guided me towards this decision. I can’t wait to see what the Lord does with these next 4 years!! Go Buffs!”
Transfers
Azaliia Gabdrakipova | Lindsey Wilson College | Oktyabrskiy, Russia
Top Events: 100 Back (58.48) 200 Back (2:03.11) 200 IM (2:10.72)
Why Milligan: “”I am excited to commit to Milligan because I have seen great success in their swim team and I think I can help them be better and they can help me be better. They also have an excellent academic program that will contribute to my further success in life.”
Teagan Jose | Point University | Roodeport, South Africa
Top Events: 100 Breastroke (1:09.15) 200 Breastroke (2:26.92) 200 IM (2:16.30)
Why Milligan: “”I am so excited to take this next step in my swimming and academic career and announce my commitment to Milligan University! This is a fantastic opportunity for growth and learning, and I’m ready to embrace all the challenges and experiences that come my way. I am looking forward to giving my all and contributing to what is already a very strong swimming squad and know that I can only improve as a swimmer and a person at Milligan. Onwards and upwards. Go Buffs!”
Madison Akbari | Point University | Marietta, Ga.
Top Events: 50 Free (24.41) 100 Free (54.41) 100 Fly (59.64)
Why Milligan: “”I’m so excited for this new chapter God has me in! Ready for this next step in my academic and swimming journey! Milligan felt like the best fit for me and where God wants me to go. So excited to announce my commitment to Milligan University! Go buffs!!”