PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida women’s swimming and diving program has added three student-athletes to its signing class for the 2015-16 season. The Argonauts are coming off their second season as a program, a year in which the team won its first New South Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Conference championship and placed 11th at the NCAA Division II Championships.
“After two years as a program, we have learned a lot about the character and personality of our team, and finding student-athletes that were a fit for that was paramount for our recruiting this year,” said UWF head coach Andrew Hancock. “Our three spring signees, in addition to our fall signees, will be a great fit for our team’s culture, first and foremost. In the pool they all have tremendous upside, and while we are excited to see them contribute next season, we are even more excited to see them develop over time. I want to thank Coach Lauren Clifford and Coach Barbara Parker for their tireless recruiting efforts this season. We can’t wait to get started with year three.”
Rebecca Halfast
St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood HS (Indian River State)
Career bests: 200 free: 1:52.32, 100 back: 57.28, 200 back: 2:01.46
Quote from Halfast: “I choose UWF because I like what Coach Andrew is doing with the program and what UWF has to offer academically. When I went on my recruiting trip and got to meet Coach Andrew and the girls personally, I felt comfortable with them. I liked how easy it was to communicate with Andrew and the girls, and communication is very important to me. I liked what UWF has to offer academically. They have a great business major and I am very excited to continue my studies at UWF! Go Argonauts.”
Quote from Hancock: “We are thrilled that Rebecca will join our team this fall, as she brings a proven record of collegiate success at Indian River. Rebecca was a 5-time NJCAA national champion this spring, and she will be a perfect fit for the winning culture we have established at UWF. Rebecca gets it done in the pool and in the classroom and will be a great example for our young team to follow.”
Pia Hulley
Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere HS
Career Bests (converted from meters): 100 back: 56.63, 200 back: 2:02.07, 100 fly: 59.01, 200 IM: 2:09.45
Quote from Hulley: “I am extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to join UWF and swim as an Argonaut. The swim program is one that is fast improving and driven by enthusiastic coaches and swimmers. UWF also offers the tools and assistance to become a well-rounded person as well as an athlete, both things that are very important to me. I can’t wait to become part of this exciting team.”
Quote from Hancock: “Pia further helps us to solidify the backstroke events, and we are looking forward to seeing what she will accomplish as an Argo. We believe that the short course yards format will suit Pia’s strengths, and there is no limit to her upside. Most importantly she is going to be a great fit for the character of our team, and we really enjoyed getting to know her throughout the recruiting process.”
Jade Jacobs
Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS
Career Bests: 200 back: 2:08.83, 200 IM: 2:13.74, 400 IM: 4:41.16
Quote from Jacobs: “I chose UWF because it feels like a perfect fit for me both academically and athletically. I love that the university offers great experiences and opportunities in my field of study while I can be a part of a team that will help me grow as an athlete and as a person.”
Quote from Hancock: “Jade is another athlete who we believe will see tremendous improvement as a collegiate athlete. Her versatility will be a big plus for us, and we look forward to helping Jade develop in a number of different events. Academically, Jade is one of the highest-credentialed students we have recruited here at UWF so we know that she will contribute both in and out of the pool to our team’s success.”
For information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.
Swimming news courtesy of the University of West Florida athletics.