Swimming and Diving Sign Star-studded Class
November 15, 2006 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 15, 2006
On the heels of its first-ever Top 30 national ranking, the University of Louisville swimming and diving team has signed six swimmers to National Letters of Intent. Sarah Andrews, Danielle Berry, Nicole Cindric, Nicole Landish, Hal Graft and diver David Zamkov will continue their swimming and diving careers with the Cardinals.
"These individuals will, no doubt, be key players in the future of the program. Their abilities, background and character will continue to accelerate our program to new levels," said U of L head coach Arthur Albiero.
High School All American, Sarah Andrews, from John I. Leonard High and Lake Lytal Swim Club in West Palm Beach, Florida is an all- round athlete. This fall, she was runner-up in the Florida 3A High School State Meet in the 100-fly, where she posted an All American time of 55.88 "Sarah has consistently been in the finals at the High School State Championships since her freshman year and she has continued to improve."
"Sarah is versatile in many events from the 200-IM, 100-butterfly and all the freestyle events from the 50- to the 500-free. "We are thrilled to have her as a Cardinal. She will bring great skill and technique and a very competitive nature." said Albiero "A multi-talented swimmer and athlete, her versatility will be fun to work with and even more fun to watch develop."
Sarah plans on studying health and sports science and currently ranks eighth in her graduating class.
Danielle Berry, a European Junior Bronze Medalist, will join the Cardinals in 2007. Berry, a native of Hartlepool, England, brings international experience to the Cardinals. Her times posted to date are 2:02.45 SCM 200M-freestyle and 4:12.21 SCM in the 400-freestyle. In 2004, she was part of the 4x200 bronze medal freestyle relay at the European Junior Championships for Great Britain.
"We are very excited to have Danielle join Cardinal Swimming. Her experience at the European Championship will provide her with an opportunity to make an impact at the University of Louisville immediately." said Albiero. "Danielle has been tabbed as one of the top international recruits and we are thrilled she has chosen to call Louisville her home. She will unquestionably be a major player in the middle distance freestyle events at the NCAA level in years to come."
Backstroker Nicole Cindric is from Bentonville, Arkansas, but is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. She is a member of the Northwest Arkansas Aquatics Sharks, the club that won back-to-back Arkansas Swimming Inc. long course state titles during the summer. Cindric won the 100- and 200-back at last summer's state meet.
"She is an outstanding student and her swimming career is just beginning to take off. I am looking forward to working with her and helping her improve " noted Albiero.
In a recent local news article in the Bentonville newspaper, Nicole, who intends to major in Justice Administration, told reporters "I know I made the right decision. I chose Louisville for the academics and for swimming. It was definitely a good choice. I've seen them compete and they're really tough. I'm really excited to be on a team that steps up for big meets."
Louisville tabbed another All-American and Junior National Champion in Nicole Landisch from Arrowhead High School and Lake Country Swim Team, in Arrowhead, Wisc. Landisch competed in the 2006 Wisconsin State Championships where she won the 50-freestyle and 100-butterfly events, earning All-American status as well. She is a 2005 and 2006 Junior National qualifier and champion along with her teammates from Lake Country.
"I am looking forward to having Nicole with us. She brings excitement to the team in the sprints and butterfly events," said Albiero. "She has the skill set and attitude to catapult the Cardinals to the next level. The improvements she made this summer, along with her present high school performances, indicate her potential is unlimited. She is definitely one to keep an eye on."
"This list is packed with quality and should prove to be not just a great class for the NCAA's, but also for national and international events down the road. What excites me the most is the talent and desire of the group as a whole." said Albiero who is currently only in his fourth season with the Cardinals.
On the men's side, the Cardinals convinced Hal Graft, from St. Xavier High School, to keep his talents in his hometown.
"Hal is a true Louisville student-athlete, growing up in the area, swimming for a St. Xavier and coaches Marty O'Toole and Leslie Selden" Albiero said. "There is always a deeper level of pride and honor to have the best swimmers in our state choose to represent the University of Louisville at the Big East, NCAA, and National levels. There has been tremendous support for Hal in our community. He can now continue to enjoy that and add a whole new level along with it. Hal will be a great contributor in and out of the pool."
Hal was on the 2006 Zone team and earned All-American status at the 2006 High School State Meet. He heads into his senior year as one of the top all around swimmers in the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Diver, David Zamkov added to the list of All-American divers that have come through the University of Louisville. A native of Rockville, Maryland, Zamkov dove with the Montgomery Dive Club.
"This is a great club, home to a couple Olympians, and we are thrilled to add him to our diving roster. David has just started to prove himself at the highest level of diving. Diving coach Mike Zhender said. "I expect him to improve tremendously."
"All of these athletes are coming off of an outstanding summer where they have had big breakthroughs in the sport," Albiero said. "With our track record of consistent improvement across the board in the past three years, we are very excited to welcome these skilled student-athletes to our Cardinal swimming and diving Family."
