Women's Swimming & Diving Signs Three Recruits
05/01/2002 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
May 1, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Saluki women's swimming and diving head coach Jeff Goelz announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent.
Megan Simms, a highly recruited swimmer from Phoenix, Az., will help fill the void in the Saluki sprint and backstroke events left over from the departure of seniors Brooke Radostits, Jenna Meckler and Courtney Corder. A four-year varsity letterwinner for the Shadow Mountain High School swim team, she is a 3-time Arizona individual state qualifier (1999-2001) in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 back. She was also a member of the 200 freestyle relay state championship team (2001). She is also a member of the school record holding 200 freestyle relay team.
"I'm really excited about Megan. A real tall kid who doesn't have alot of experience in the pool as far as training, but her potential is very high. She's a real tall, lean racer with good academics," commented Goelz.
Simms was a member of two Arizona state runner-up teams in 1999 and 2001 and two district championship teams in 1999 and 2000 while at Shadow Mountain H.S.. She was also a two-time member of the Arizona USS All-Star Team.
"She's a real good team player, she knows her role and will do whatever it takes to make the team succeed," stated Goelz.
The daughter of Phil and Robin Simms, she plans on majoring in fashion design.
Kelsey Kinsella, from Gridley Illinois, also joins the team and adds much needed depth in the freestyle events. A four-year varsity letterwinner from University High School, she helped her team compile a 41-4 record in dual meets during her four years. She is also a four-time state qualifier (1998-2002).
"She's going to contribute in the 200 free, 100 free, maybe the 50 and even the 500. Again she's the type of swimmer we like to see, a nice tall and strong kid. Her potential is great and that's what Chris (Gally) and I look for, not what they can do now but what they offer later down the road," said Goelz.
Her senior year she was a state qualifier in the 100 and 200 freestyle and the 400 freestyle relay. She was awarded All-State honors in the 100 freestyle after swimming a personal best 53.23. She is also a four-time intercity champion in both the 200 and 500 freestyle (1998-2002).
The daughter of Patrick and Laurie Kinsella, she plans on majoring in Pre-Med or Pre-Vet.
Also joining the team next year to provide depth to the Saluki women's diving team is Melissa Hanson. Hanson, from Grand Rapids, Mich., is a four-year varsity letterwinner in diving from Forest Hills Northern H.S.. Where she has helped Forest Hills Northern to four conference championships.
"She's going to bring athleticism, she's a high level gymnast who has limited diving experience but her competitiveness in gymnastics will help her alot," commented diving coach Donnie Torres.
She will make an immediate impact as her best scores in the 1-meter; 203.675 (6 Dives)/307.375 (11 dives), should help the Salukis after the graduation of senior Breanne Hay.
Hanson is the daughter of Bruce and Holly Hanson, she is a four-year honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a four-year varsity letterwinner in Gymnastics at Forest Hills Northern H.S.
