ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville head swimming coach Elizabeth Lykins has announced that four standout student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent during the early fall signing period.
“Our recruiting efforts have paid off in the early signing period with four outstanding students who will immediately impact the team in the classroom and in the pool,” said Lykins. “These dynamic ladies will add depth to an already strong squad and they will be fun to watch race in the 2016-17 season. Coach Rebecca, the team and myself are very excited to welcome all four ladies to the Bulldog Family!”
As all four individuals have the capability of scoring at the Costal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) Conference Championships, the 2016 signees, as a group are, to date, the highest-touted recruiting class in program history.
CATHERINE ALLEN
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
High School: Sanderson
Club: Marlins of Raleigh
Events
100 Butterfly: 58.29
200 Butterfly: 2:04.97
500 Freestyle: 5:05.99
1000 Freestyle: 10:30.24
1650 Freestyle: 17:46.38
Accolades
Cap Eight Conference 500 freestyle champion
2 x Cap Eight All-Conference selection
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American
Allen on her Commitment: “UNC Asheville offers a great balance of academics and athletics in a beautiful and fun city. The girls and coaches made me feel so welcome on my recruiting trip, and I am excited to be able to contribute to an up-and-coming program in my home state!”
Lykins on Allen: “We are excited to add an excellent 200 butterflier to the squad next year. Catherine already has the capacity to score in the top 8 at the CCSA championships. She is the kind of versatile swimmer our program needs to move up in the conference rankings.”
MADISON ROGAN
Hometown: Athens, GA
High School: Apalachee
Club: Athens Bulldog Swim Club
Events
100 Butterfly: 58.80
200 Butterfly: 2:08.27
200 Individual Medley: 2:12.36
400 Individual Medley: 4:40.36
500 Freestyle: 5:09.45
1000 Freestyle: 1047.27
1650 Freestyle: 17:57.00
Accolades
Georgia 1-5A State Championships finalist
Top 5% in her graduating class (10/375)
National Honors Society
M. Rogan on her Commitment: “I chose UNC Asheville because it is the perfect combination of competitive athletics and rigorous academics. On my trip, the team and coaches made me feel like I was part of the Bulldog family and I fell in love with the beautiful campus and area.”
Lykins on M. Rogan: “Madison excels in the 200 butterfly, 400 IM and 500 freestyle. She already has the ability to score points in three events including a top 16 finish in the 200 butterfly at the CCSA championships. Madison’s skill set will bring much needed depth to those particular training groups and to the team as a whole.”
SKYLAR ROGAN
Hometown: Athens, GA
High School: Apalachee
Club: Athens Bulldog Swim Club
Events
100 Butterfly: 58.88
200 Butterfly: 2:08.35
100 Freestyle: 53.50
200 Freestyle: 1:54.99
500 Freestyle: 5:05.13
1000 Freestyle: 10:36.62
1650 Freestyle: 17:46.46
Accolades
Two-time Georgia 1-5A State Championships finalist
Top 5% in her graduating class (11/375)
National Honors Society
S. Rogan on her Commitment: “I chose UNC Asheville because as soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home. I absolutely love the team and coaching staff, and I know UNC Asheville is the perfect place for me to excel both academically and athletically.”
Lykins on S. Rogan: “While Skylar has a similar butterfly aptitude as Madison, Skylar will contribute greatly to our mid distance freestyle group as she has the ability to score in the top 16 in three events. Already one of our strongest events, Skylar will help turn the 500 freestyle into a wave of Bulldog blue.”
ADEE WELLER
Boulder, CO
High School: Fairview
Club: Boulder Swimming
Events
100 Freestyle: 53.58
200 Freestyle: 1:54.58
500 Freestyle: 5:01.78
1000 Freestyle: 10:25.91
1650 Freestyle: 17:23.37
Accolades
Two-time 5A Colorado State Championships 500 freestyle finalist
Honor Roll every semester at Fairview High School
Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam
Weller on her Commitment: “I chose the University of North Carolina Asheville because I love how welcoming the team and coaches are. I’m really excited to swim with the Bulldogs next year!”
Lykins on Weller: “A distance freestyle specialist, Adee will be a very welcome asset as we graduate our top distance swimmer this year. Adee has already positioned herself for three top 8 finishes at the CCSA championships as she trains with a team reputed for turning out well-conditioned collegiate athletes. In addition, Adee is an incredibly gifted student with a very keen mind.”
Swimming news courtesy of UNC Asheville Swimming & Diving.