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Helena Kurtz has announced her decision to continue her academic and athletic career at McKendree University. Kurtz is wrapping up her senior year at Capistrano Valley High School, and will arrive on campus for the 2023-2024 season this fall.
Kurtz shared her reasons for choosing McKendree with SwimSwam:
“I am super excited about what Coach Tierney is building at McKendree both in and out of the water! I love how the team is motivated and supports one another. I can really see myself growing as an athlete and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the next four years!”
Kurtz trains and competes year-round with Mission Viejo Nadadores in Mission Viejo, California. She largely focuses on sprint freestyle and butterfly, and owns a Futures qualifying time in the 100 fly (SCY).
Kurtz most recently competed at Speedo Sectionals in Carlsbad this past month. She recorded her highest finish in the 100 fly, taking 40th with a 57.27. She also swam the 50 free (24.89), 100 free (53.38), 100 back (59.02), and 200 IM (2:15.13), with all her swims being just off her personal bests.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 free – 24.13
- 100 free – 52.86
- 200 free – 1:58.93
- 100 fly – 55.75
McKendree is a Division II program located in Lebanon, Illinois. The Bearcat women are coming off a 3rd place finish at the 2023 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championship, as well as an 11th place finish at the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships.
Kurtz is projected to make an immediate impact at the conference level when she arrives on campus, as her best time in the 100 fly would have made her McKendree’s top performer in the event this past season. Additionally, her best 50 would have tied her for 5th on the team, while her best 100 would have been the 9th-fastest this year.
The 100 fly was led by freshman Keianna Moss this season, who swam a 56.74 at the Mizzou Invitational. Abby Rumpp, a fifth-year, was the top performer in the 50 freestyle, coming in at 23.32 from conference.
Kurtz joins Victoria Maki in McKendree’s incoming class of 2027. Maki, a Pennsylvania native, also swims sprint freestyle and owns best times of 24.29/52.80/1:55.32 in the 50/100/200 freestyles.
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yaaay! very excited for next year’s Bearcats Swim and Dive freshman class!
Yeeaa, Helena!