University of Houston Athletics
Swimming and Diving Announce New Signings
6/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
June 25, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston swimming and diving program announced the addition of 10 student-athletes during the recent signing period.
Swimming head coach Mark Taylor inked eight student-athletes, while diving head coach Jane Figueiredo signed a pair of divers. The 10 newcomers, all freshmen will begin competition during the 2003-04 season.
"Because we were very small (in numbers) a year ago, we were looking to add depth to the program," Taylor said. "Where is there better to look than in your own backyard where there are so many great swim clubs?"
"This has to be the largest freshman class in decades," he said. "We're not concerned (about the group's youth). We're optimistic about its potential and looking forward to the upperclassmen helping the younger student-athletes adjust to the collegiate level."
On the swimming side, Amanda Abrams (Hayes High), Britini Boyette (Lutheran Southern Academy), Ashley Johnson (Clear Lake High), Haley Menard (Clear Creek High), Kendall Stevens (Clements High), Szintia Szanto B-E.F. Gimnazium, Budapest, Hungary), Christina White (Sterling High) and Melissa Wright (Humble High) will join the Cougars in 2003-04.
Abrams will compete for swimming time in the distance freestyle events, while Boyette will specialize in the butterfly. Johnson, Stevens and Wright will each push one another in the sprint freestyle events.
Menard is slated to compete in the sprint and middle distance freestyle events, and Szanto should be a regular in the Cougar lineup in the individual medley and breaststroke competitions. White will swim in both the backstroke and butterfly events.
Anna Kiess and Rachel Gitelson became the latest members of the Cougar diving corps under Figueiredo's leadership.
Kiess, who hails from Berlin, Germany, specializes in the platform and will major in communications.
Gitelson is expected to compete in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events as well as the platform during her first collegiate season. A Junior Olympic qualifier, Gitelson will enroll in the Honors College at UH and comes to the program from Ironwood High out of Phoenix, Ariz.
The entire group joins freshman Elizabeth Goeggel, who signed with the Cougars during the early period.
