Women's Swimming Signs Nine to Cap Banner Recruiting Class
November 20, 2010 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 20, 2010
The University of Louisville Women's swimming and Diving Team announced the addition of nine recruits for the early signing period in fall of 2010.
Joining the Cardinals for the 2011-2012 year will be Danielle Barbiea (Springboro, OH), Abigail Chin (Upper Arlington, OH), Johanna Cowley (Ann Arbor, MI), Tanja Kylliainen (Towson, MD), Rachael Lewis (Wilmington, OH), Victoria Mitchell (Cary, NC), Emily O'Neill (Freehold, NJ), Emily Stalmack (Ann Arbor, MI), and Erika Wozniak (Savannah, GA).
"We are very please with the quality of this group, as athletes, but also as individuals. We are excited to welcome these young ladies and their families to our Cardinal Family." Stated head coach Arthur Albiero.
Olympic Trial Qualifier, Danielle Barbiea comes to Louisville from the Mason Manta Rays and Coach Ken Heis. The High School All-American currently holds the Ohio Southwest Division I District record in the 100-yard butterfly (54.65) and is the Greater Western Ohio Conference Swimmer of the Year. Along with her many swimming accomplishments, she is a member of Springboro High school's National Honor Society and a USA Swimming Academic All-American.
"Dani is one of the best sprint prospects in the country and we are eager to see her excel in the Louisville program. She will be an invaluable asset to our team and will be a key player for the future success of our relays," said Albiero.
Abigail Chin, an Olympic Trial Qualifier, comes to Louisville from Todd Saltus and the Upper Arlington Swim Club. As captain of the Upper Arlington High school swim team, Chin has help lead the team to three State Championship titles. Her best times include: 1:59.21 in the 200-yard butterfly, 4:20.55 in the 400-yard individual medley, and 16:48.92 in the mile. Abby is also an Honor Roll students who serves as Editor in Chief of her school newspaper.
"Abby is a multi-talented swimmer, whose versatility will add depth to the Cardinal line-up. Her national level experience will help as she moves into the intense competition of college swimming" said Albiero.
Johanna Cowley joins the Cardinals by way of Club Wolverine which is coached by Bailey Weathers. She has an undefeated record at the Michigan High School State Championships and is the only swimmer to ever win a state championship from the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Her times of 50.71 and 1:49.96 in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events will play a major role in the competitiveness of the Louisville freestyle relays.
"Hanna comes from a great club swimming program and I feel very confident that she has the fundamental training that will lead her to great success at the Big East and NCAA level" said Albiero. "She has a competitive nature that compels her to excellence in and out of the pool." Hanna is also team captain of Pioneer High School swim team and plays flute in the band.
Tanja Kylliainen, the Finnish National Record holder in the 400 meter IM (4:49.72) comes to Louisville from the Loyola Blakefield Aquatic Program and is coached by Keith Schertle. Tanja, a current USA 2012 Olympic Trial qualifier in the 200 meter butterfly (2:15.11) and 400 IM, holds dual citizenship with the United States and Finland. She has already been announced as a member of the Finnish 2011 World Championship Team, which will compete in Shanghai, China.
"Tanja brings a mental toughness and determination to succeed that is only matched by her talent in the water," said Albiero "She has an impressive focus on her goals and won't let anything get in her way."
Rachael Lewis comes from Wilmington, Ohio and the Springfield Aquatic Club. Rachael, a three time high school state qualifier and finalist, was named the 2009 Fort Ancient Valley Conference swimmer of the year. She is also a four- time YMCA National qualifier. Although, Rachael is not new to the sport, she has only been swimming year round for one year. She has also been named FAVC All- Conference in soccer.
"Rachael is a tremendous athlete and we are excited to see how she develops in the pool. She is extremely enthusiastic and her determination to work hard will help catapult her to the next level," Said Albiero.
Senior National Qualifier, Victoria Mitchell joins the Cardinals from Cary, NC and is coached by Paul Silver of the Marlins of Raleigh Swim team. Her versatility in the pool has earned her the 2010 NC Swimming Senior Championships High Point award and has qualified her to the USA National Championships in the 500-yard freestyle (4:50.54), 1000-yard freestyle (9:51.88), and 200-yard backstroke (2:00.51). Victoria also strives to excel in the classroom and has earned Scholastic All-American and USA Swimming Academic All-American honors.
"Victoria is an extremely hard worker that always strives to be the best. It will be exciting to watch her reach her dreams as she competes for the Louisville Cardinals," said Albiero.
Backstroker, Emily O'Neill, resides in Freehold, NJ and competes for the Freehold YMCA Swim Team. . In 2010, Emily was named Asbury Park Swimmer of the year and has qualified to both YMCA Nationals and USA Jr. National in the 100-yard backstroke (55.65) and 200- yard backstroke (1:59.12).
"Emily had a break-out summer this year and has just grazed the surface of her full potential. It will be awesome to watch her develop into a first-class backstroker. " said Albiero
Diver, Emily Stalmack, from Ann Arbor, Michigan and Pioneer High School is the 2010 USA Diving Junior East National Silver medalist on 3-meter. Along with Hanna Cowley, Emily is the team captain of the Pioneer High School swimming and diving team where she has earned All- American honors.
"Emily will be a very important addition to our diving program. With her exceptional performances in regional and national competitions, she will keep our team at the top level of the Big East Conference and help us push towards the NCAA Championships," said diving coach, Mike Zehnder.
Erika Wozniak of Savannah, Georgia and the Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team, comes to the University of Louisville by way of Georgia's swimming coach of the year, Bill Forrester. She is a three time National Championship qualifier and finished 20th in the 1500-meter (17:03.31) and 27th in the 800-meter freestyle (8:57.86) at the 2010 Junior National Championships in Irvine, CA. Erika currently holds the Georgia Independent School Association state records in the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle.
"We are very excited to have Erika on our team. She has a great blend of work ethic in the pool and diligence in the classroom. She will be a key player to add strength in the distance freestyle events," said Albiero. Erika continues the lineage of Cardinals by following in her parents' foot steps, both of whom graduated from the Speed School of Engineering at UofL.
"Each year we strive to continue to move up the rankings in the swimming and diving world, and this year is no different. We are proud to have assembled such an exceptional group of young ladies for the 2011 freshman class that will no doubt help us in this quest. What is most exciting about this group is their burning desire to learn and get better. They all bring something unique to our program and I look forward to working with each one of them. Much credit to assembling this quality group goes to our entire staff, and in especially, Coach Rachel Komisarz Baugh, our Women's Recruiting Coordinator." said Albiero.
