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Swimming Signs Three on Women's Side
December 15, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2008
Heather Holtom of Charlotte, N.C., Kara Savegnago of St. Charles, Ill. and Jackie Sherrard of Erlanger, Ky. have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their swimming careers at the University of Louisville, announced head coach Arthur Albiero.
"We feel very fortunate to have these young ladies joining us along with our two diving signees Lindsay Stephens and Hanna Gadd. Collectively, they will bring a wealth of character, talent, work ethic, along with lofty goals. As a staff, we are looking forward to working with these young ladies"
Heather Holtom swam her first two years at Wissahickon High School in Pennsylvania before moving to Charlotte, N.C., where she now swims at Mecklenburg Aquatic Club for David Marsh, the head Olympic development coach. As a freshman in 2006 at Wissahickon, she was named varsity swim team MVP and took third place in Pennsylvania state 100-breast. As a sophomore, she was selected to represent the United States on the National Junior Team for Junior Pan Pacifics in Hawaii. She took first place in the 100-breast at the Eastern Independent School swimming championships, tying the record of 1:03.07. A strong student, Heather was on the high honor roll at Wissahickon and was an Academic All-American for US Swimming. As a junior, she joined the MAC Elite swim team coached by Marsh and competed in 2008 Olympic Trials in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke. She again was named Academic All-American and All-Star North Carolina swimming.
"As a member of the US Junior National Team, Heather brings a high level of experience and competitiveness," said Albiero. "I believe she has only scratched the surface of her potential. She also understands the team concept having trained under Coaches David Marsh and Thad Schultz at the Mecklenburg Aquatics. Heather will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact."
Kara Savegnago of St. Charles, Illinois, is a 15-time high school All-American as well as a Short Course National qualifier. She is the school record holder in the 50-free as well as three relay teams. Savegnago is the state record holder in the 200-medley and 200-free relays. Named to the All-State squad, she is a three-time team state champion and a high school state finalist for four years. She is a four-time relays state champion as well as a Scholar Athlete and team captain.
"Kara is described by all know her as an incredible talent," said Albiero. The fact she has been a mainstay in top high school relays says it all. She is a team player all the way. She comes from one of the top talent producing programs in the region in the Academy Bullets where she developed under Coach Bill Schalz. She will add much speed to our already talented sprint group."
Jackie Sherrard of Erlanger, Kentucky swims for the Northern KY Clippers National Group and is a two-time USA Junior National Qualifier and a 20-time NCSA Junior National Qualifier. Swimming for Scott High School, she finaled at state in the 100-yard butterfly as a freshman and in the 100 yard fly as a sophomore. Last year, as a junior, she placed fifth in the state in the 100-fly and was third in the state in the 200-freestyle. A high School All-American, she is a 77-time Speedo Sectional Qualifier and holds three Clipper relay records. She is the 2006 Northern KY Regional Champion in the 200- Individual Medley and in the 100-butterfly and 200-free in 2007. She currently holds school records in the 100-butterfly, 100-backstroke, and 50-freestyle. She is a member of the Taylor Mill Swim Team 10,000 Meter Club, a National Honor Society member and a Member of the varsity three-time Lady Eagles Cross Country regional winning team.
"Jackie is just beginning her high level swimming career," said Albiero. "More importantly, she is a phenomenal athlete and that will translate into her swimming right away. She is already swimming times much faster than a few months ago. Her learning curve is already shifting as she starts to focus on college swimming.
