Women's Swimming and Diving Sign Five Standouts
November 21, 2007 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 21, 2007
The University of Louisville's women's swimming and diving team has signed five recruits during the early signing period, according to Arthur Albiero, U of L head coach. Joining the Cardinals will be Lacey Bobo of Pflugerville, Texas, Aileen Cole of Lawrenceville, Ga., Sara Hartman of Boyertown, Pa., Kayla Purkiser of Plainfield, Ind., and Raine Thompson of Paducah, Ky.
"The strength of this signing class is the talent and depth that they add to the team," Albiero said. "What excites me the most is the eagerness and desire of the group as a whole. They are all excited to be a part of the Louisville family and tradition."
Lacey Bobo, heads to Louisville from Texas Gold Swimming Team where she was coached by Aubrey Knapper. A senior at Pflugerville High School, Lacey has been a High School All-American and Texas State Finalist in numerous events, and also 2007 USA Spring Senior National and Junior National Qualifier. Her strengths include sprint free, butterfly and backstroke. She chose UofL over LSU and South Carolina.
"Lacey is a very versatile, swimmer with serious untapped potential. " Albiero said. "Athletically she will be a great addition to the team. We incorporate family into many things we do here. And having her, along with her brother Peyton, who is currently a sophomore, fits our vision of family perfectly."
Aileen Cole comes to U of L by way of Chris Davis's Swim Atlanta and is the two-time Georgia High School State Champion in the 50 freestyle and is looking for a three-peat this year and adding a three-time All American to her credentials. Aileen knows training and hard work, as she is currently training with Amanda Weir, USA National Team member from Swim Atlanta in the sprint freestyle events. Aileen is senior captain at Peachtree Ridge High School, and chose Louisville over Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech. "Aileen certainly brings athletisicm, leadership, and academic record of achievements to UofL witch not only fit in with the structure of our program, but certainly with the University of Louisville," Albiero stated. "She will continue to add to the fire power in the sprint group."
Sarah Hartman, a six-time High School All American, joins the Cardinals from Linda Jones' Boyertown YMCA and Boyertown Area High School. Sara is set to join the Cardinals in 2008-2009 as well. She chose Louisville over Maryland, South Carolina, Rutgers and Alabama. Sara has been a thirteen-time YMCA finalist with this past summer as runner up in the 200 breaststroke.
"Sara is ready to blossom in the college setting," Albiero said. "She is eager to challenge herself in the Louisville training environment. She will come in and have an impact in the breaststroke events, and has the potential to add depth in the IM."
On the diving front, the Cardinals signed Kayla Purkiser from Plainfield, Ind. Kayla is a joining the team from Indian River Community College where she was National Junior College Champion and record holder on both 1-meter and 3-meter boards. In high school, Kayla was a member of the Indiana High School All-State team twice and state finalist.
"Kayla is going to be a great asset to the team. She has experience as a Champion, and has really developed into an excellent diver. She is fun to have around and she can dive which is a perfect combination" stated veteran diving Coach Mike Zehnder.
"Mike has been the diving coach at U of L for fourteen years and he knows that when a good athlete like Kayla comes around, we couldn't let her go." said Albiero.
And rounding out the early signing class is Raine Thompson from Paducah, KY out of Tilghman High School. In Paducah she swims for Paducah Swim Team and coach Andy Farris. Raine is a 2007 Junior National Qualifier in the 100 butterfly, and 100- and 200 backstroke events. She is shooting for the high school state championship this year which will be held at U of L's Ralph Wright Natatorium. Raine is also a finalist in the Wendy's High School Heisman Award. The WHSH program has set the standard for high school student-athletes, and gained tremendous prestige in its own right. Each fall, the program recognizes the nation's most esteemed high school senior men and women for excellence in academics, athletics, and community/school involvement. She is currently the President of her student council, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Raine chose Louisville over the University of Kentucky
"Raine's coming off of an outstanding summer where she had a couple big break-throughs in the sport," Albiero said. "She should arrive at Louisville as an impact athlete from day one. She is one of the top swimmers' and students' in the state. We are proud, honored, and thrilled to have her as a Cardinal."
"This class of women will certainly add to our previous successes and will bring the commitment and drive in the classroom and the pool that we are looking for, and expect." said Coach Albiero. "They are dedicated, talented, and athletic women and we are delighted to have them as a part of our team. I am looking forward to working with each of them as individuals and in bringing them into our team concept."
