Press Release courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics
Virginia Tech head swimming and diving coach Ned Skinner announces the signing of nine new Hokies that will join the women’s program in the fall of 2018. The class is comprised of six swimmers and three divers.
Many swimmers in the signing class are ranked in CollegeSwimming.com’s top 100 prospects in the class of 2018. Skinner, who considers the class to be one of the most talented in the history of the program, is expecting many of the swimmers to make an immediate impact.
“This is a class that we have put a lot of time and energy into forming,” said Skinner. “This first wave of signees that we are able to announce features national team members, European Championship qualifiers, US Olympic trial qualifiers, national finalist, junior national finalists, and state champions. The energy surrounding our program is being seen directly in the level of our recruiting and it is exciting to see the direction that this team is heading.”
“This group of women will help change this program forever and it is exciting to think that we aren’t done with their class yet – we still have a few game changers to announce later in the spring.”
Abby Larson
Williamsburg, Va.
Events: 50 Free – 22.88 | 100 Free – 50.36 | 200 Free – 1:51.17 |100 Fly – 56.82
Prior to Virginia Tech: US Open finalist… Junior National finalist… Virginia 4A state record holder… Five time VHSL 4A State Champion.
Skinner on Larson: “We’re extremely excited to welcome Abby to Hokie Nation! She is coming off of an incredibly successful season and is proving herself to be one of the top sprinters in her class. We’re excited to watch her continue to emerge as one of the top-sprinters in the ACC as well as the NCAA.”
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Alex Slayton
Yorktown, Va.
Events: 100 Back – 55.28 | 50 Free – 23.54 | 100 Free – 51.50 | 200 IM – 2:05.28
Prior to Virginia Tech: VHSL 3A State Champion
Skinner on Slayton: “Alex is somebody that we are extremely excited to bring on board for next season. Her energy and outlook will take her very far here at Virginia Tech. We’re excited to watch her continue progressing at the ACC and NCAA levels.”
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Anna Landon
Falls Church, Va.
Events: 50 Free – 22.91 | 100 Free – 51.34 | 100 Breaststroke – 1:03.35
Prior to Virginia Tech: Junior National finalist… VHSL 5A state record holder… NCSA finalist.
Skinner on Landon: “Anna is someone that we were extremely excited to keep in the state of Virginia. She comes from a swimming family and has steadily improved at a rapid rate. We expect her to come in and immediately contribute to our sprint program.”
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Brooke Leftwich
Roanoke, Va.
Events: Diving
Prior to Virginia Tech: 2017 Silver medalist in the 3A VHSL championships… Competed in the 2017 USA Diving Zone A Championships on 1 and 3 meter.
Head Diving Coach Ron Piemonte on Leftwich: “Brooke has only been in the sport of diving for a very short time. She was a runner up in the high school state championships after diving less than a year. At the time of an injury, Brooke was a very high level gymnast, which led to her switch to diving. She has great physical ability, a model work ethic, and is showing technique and difficulty mainly found in divers with much more experience. I believe that Brooke can turn out to be a very big surprise in the conference, and will continue to become more and more competitive as she gains experience.”
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Izzi Mroz
Denver, Colo.
Events: Diving
Prior to Virginia Tech: 2017 Colorado 4A State High School Champion… Multiple time national qualifier on 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform.
Piemonte on Mroz: “Izzi brings to the H2Okies a very good background in the sport and possesses the type of athleticism that I really look for in a diver. I feel she can immediately impact the diving squad with her ability and depth, and feel she will be another great addition to our team because of her attitude and dedication.”
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Lauren Meeker
Mechanicsville, Va.
Events: 100 Back – 55.92 | 200 Back – 1:57.60 | 200 Fly – 2:03.65 | 200 IM – 2:03.22 | 400 IM – 4:21.03
Prior to Virginia Tech: 2016 US Olympic Trials qualifier.
Skinner on Meeker: “Lauren has grown up a Hokie. As we began the recruiting process with her we knew that she was someone that we needed to have on our roster for next year. As a 2016 US Olympic Trials qualifier we look for her to come in and contribute immediately. Lauren’s addition gives us one of the deepest backstroke groups in the NCAA and we are excited to continue making our presence felt in these events nationally.”
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Loulou Vos
Uxbridge, GBR
Events: 100 Free – 50.40 | 200 Free – 1:46.00 | 500 Free – 4:47.53
Prior to Virginia Tech: European Junior Championship qualifier
Skinner on Vos: “Loulou was our first commitment in the Class of 2018. She helped us get the ball rolling with what is becoming the strongest women’s recruiting class that we have ever brought in to Virginia Tech. Her elite swimming background and personality will help our women’s team continue progressing at the rapid rate that we are seeing. We cannot wait to have Loulou in Blacksburg in a few short months.”
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Natalia Fryckowska
Szczecin, Poland
Events: 50 Free – 22.48 | 100 Free – 49.78 | 50 Breaststroke – 28.80 | 50 Fly – 25.14
Prior to Virginia Tech: European Championships finalist… European Junior Games finalist.
Skinner on Fryckowska: “After our first conversation with Natalia we knew that she was somebody that would help take our women’s sprint program to the next level. Her personality and desire to be great is something that our staff felt was contagious and we are excited to watch all that she can accomplish during her four years here at Virginia Tech and beyond. There are big things ahead for this young lady.”
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Teagan Moravek
Loveland, Ohio
Events: Diving
Prior to Virginia Tech: 2017 qualifier for the USA Diving National Championships on both 1 and 3-meters.
Piemonte on Moravek: “Teagan seems to me to be another ‘diamond in the rough’. She is a relative newcomer to the sport, yet seems to get better and better every season. She is a very strong and very competitive diver, which makes me look forward to furthering Teagan’s development in the sport. I really feel that she can come in and be a significant factor for our program right away.”