Press Release courtesy of Pacific Athletics
The Pacific men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach Peter Richardson has signed Kelsey Lloyd, Allie Emery, Brooke Helgeson, Patricia Garrote, Miranda Padilla, Bianca Preciado, Emma Frey, David Noyes, and Mackaby Pennington to National Letter of Intent, it was announced Wednesday morning.
Kelsey Lloyd – 1:02.07 – 100 Breast, 2:13.43 – 200 Breast, 2:04.13 – 200 IM
Lloyd joins the Tigers from Brea Aquatics in Fullerton, CA. She was fifth at the California State Championship Meet last year in the 100 breastroke. A multiple event Junior National Qualifier Lloyd looks to make an impact right away at Pacific. Her best 200 breastroke time is 1 second under the current school record at Pacific.
“Certainly Kelsey is a very talented athlete who is going to make a major impact for us,” said Richardson. However, it was her competitive nature and personality that made her stand out throughout the recruiting process. She is one of the best high school breastrokers in the country and I know she will thrive in our program that has a great history of developing breastrokers.”
Allie Emery – 2:05.77 – 200 LCM Free, 4:23.05 LCM 400 Free, 23.83 – 50 Free, 51.73 – 100 Free
Emery is the 4th ranked recruit in the state of Nevada and was a key target for Coach Richardson and his staff. Allie swims for one of the best swim clubs in the country and has shown consistent improvement in high school. A diverse freestyler, Emery will add depth to the freestyle events and relays.
“Allie had an amazing summer – she posted some very fast times at the Senior Western Zone Meet and is thriving in Coach Ron Aitken’s elite Sandpipers of Las Vegas program. Allie has the range to swim the 50 all the way up to the 500 – her ability to swim all of those events makes her an invaluable relay swimmer!”
Brooke Helgeson – 2:07.21 – 200 LCM Free, 4:23.85 LCM 400 Free, 4:25.63 – 400 IM
Helgeson comes from a proud Pacific tradition – her mom was the Big West Soccer Player of the Year and led the Tigers to an NCAA Run. Brooke has turned her attention to the pool but has the ability to make a similar impact.
“We are so excited to have Brooke join us from Canyons Aquatic Club in Santa Clarita, CA. We think Brooke has the ability to take us to new heights and her best times would score well at the MPSF Championships.”
Patricia Garrote – 2:15.45 – 200 LCM Back, 1:04.40 – 100 LCM Back, 2:20.54 – 200 LCM IM, 4:56.09 – 400 LCM IM
Garrote swims for Real Canoe in Madrid, Spain – one of the premier clubs in Spain. She placed 13th at the European Junior Championships in the 200 LCM Backstroke and looks to make an immediate impact in multiple events. Her converted 200 backstroke time will be well under the current school record in the 200 back.
“Patricia is a terrific fit at Pacific. She is driven, dedicated and very fast!. Her experience at International competitions will very helpful to her as she looks to qualify for the NCAA Championships.”
Miranda Padilla – 56.70 – 100 Back, 1:05.22 – 100 LCM Fly, 2:25.79 – 200 LCM Fly
Padilla, a local standout from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, has competed for Tiger Aquatics under Coach Richardson’s tutelage for the last five years. She has qualified for the CIF State Meet in each of the last two years and has been a multiple event CIF Finalist. This summer, Padilla was a finalist at the USA Futures Championships in Santa Clara, CA.
“When a local recruit chooses Pacific it’s a great sign that we are building the kind of program and reputation that attracts the best local talent. When the local standout is someone who never misses a workout, has a great attitude and is a quintessential teammate – I couldn’t ask for anything more. That’s what we’re getting with Miranda Padilla and I know she’s going to make a big impact on our team.”
Bianca Preciado – 54.37 – 100 Fly, 1:04.02 – 100 Breast, 2:17.72 – 200 Breast
Preciado hails from La Mirada Armada and has exceled under coach Rich Shipherd. She is the 2017 USA Futures Champion in the 100 meter butterfly swimming a 1:02.41. As a butterfly specialist, Preciado looks to take over the fly leg of the medley relays for the Tigers that graduating senior and NCAA qualifier Kenna Rameyhas held on to for four years.
“Bianca can really move! She is one of the best 100 butterfliers in country and she is going to really help the medley relays. Her best 100 fly would have placed 4th in the MPSF last year. Her positive attitude and competitive nature is the perfect fit here.”
Emma Frey – 55.04 – 100 Back, 1:59.46 – 200 Back, 2:04.38 – 200 IM
Frey comes to Pacific from the Bellingham Bay Swim Team. She is the 5th ranked recruit out of the state of Washington for the 2018 class and would have been placed in the top four at the MPSF Championships in both backstroke events last season. Frey’s speed also can make a difference in the 200 IM.
“We couldn’t be more excited about Emma joining our team. Throughout the recruiting process I grew more and more impressed with her as a person – not just an athlete. I think extraordinary people make extraordinary swimmers and Emma fits the bill. She is going to push our backstroke group and really make an impact at the conference level.”
David Noyes – 1:37.13 – 200 Free, 4:30.75 – 500 Free, 45.99 – 100 Free
The 18th-ranked men’s recruit of California, Noyes comes from the esteemed Santa Clara Swim Club. At 1:37.13, Noyes is one of the top 200 freestylers in the country. His time, would have placed 4th at the MPSF Championships last year. He is a multi-event Junior National Qualifier and looks to add depth to the freestyle relays for the Tigers.
“David is the perfect addition to our team. We return many of our best swimmers and we were recruiting for the right fit. He is going to be on our conference relay teams as a freshman and any freshman who can do that is pretty talented. His enthusiasm towards Pacific and swimming is contagious.”
Mackaby Pennington – 329.35 – 1M, 381.35 – 3M, 321.00 Platform (all at USA Diving National Prelims – Zone E)
Last year, Pacific started a dive program for the first time in over 30 years. Pacific diving is off to a great start in signing Mackaby Pennington. Pennington, an accomplished diver, is the first diver to sign an NLI with the Tigers since the rebirth of the program.
“We are so excited to add Mackaby to the Pacific dive team,” expressed head diving coach Hannah Prigge. He is going to be a great addition to the team. His talent and work ethic will thrive at the collegiate level. Mackaby is a standout diver finishing in the top 10 on all three boards at Far Westerns this summer. I am excited to see where he goes through out his collegiate career! “