Gator Women's Swimming & Diving Program Signs Six
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 | Women's Swimming & Diving
The Gator women's swimming and diving program inked six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to swim for the Gators beginning in 2010-11, University of Florida head coach Gregg Troy announced Wednesday morning.
Florida tapped the United States coast-to-coast for the best talent in the pool, landing a tremendous class of swimmers, including U.S. Olympian Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) and high school seniors Kaitlin Frehling (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Alicia Mathieu (Marlborough, Conn.), Alana Pazevic (Mill Creek, Wash.), Trish Regan (Carmel, Ind.) and Julia Treible (Roswell, Ga.).
“We are really, really excited about our class of incoming women,” Troy said. “We covered all of our needs with these six student-athletes. This is an outstanding class of women that are not only extremely talented in the pool, but are great students as well.”
MEET THE FUTURE GATORS
Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.), North Kingstown High School
A 2008 U.S. Olympian, Beisel was just 15 when she finished fourth in the 200-meter individual medley and fifth in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Most recently, Beisel took third in the 200-meter back at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, an event current Gator senior Gemma Spofforth (West Sussex, England) won for Great Britain in World Record pace. The North Kingstown High School senior trains with Bluefish Swim Club under head coach Chuck Batchelor.
Coach Troy on Beisel:
“A lot of publications are rating Elizabeth as the No. 2 recruit in the country, but we think she might be the best,” Troy said. “She has a tremendous attitude and she's also a great racer – we're looking forward to having her here.”
Beisel Highlights:
Senior at North Kingstown High School… Trains at Bluefish Swim Club under head coach Chuck Batchelor… A six-star recruit by SwimmingWorldMagazine.com… Her top time in the 400-yard IM (4:04.59) would have been in the A final at the 2009 NCAA meet last year, while her 500-yard free time of 4:40.42 would have made the B final… A 2008 U.S. Olympian that finished fourth in the 400-meter IM and fifth in the 200-meter backstroke in Beijing… The 2009 U.S. National Champion in the 400-meter IM and 200-meter backstroke… Bronze medalist in the 200-meter back at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy… Finished fifth in the 200-meter back at 2009 Worlds… Placed 12th in the 200 back at the 2007 World Championships and fifth in the 200 back at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships.
Kaitlin Frehling (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Seminole High School
Frehling, a Florida native and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, will join the Orange and Blue from Seminole High School in St. Petersburg, Fla. Frehling boasts five Florida High School State Champion Titles after winning both the 50-yard free and 100-yard fly in 2007 and 2008, as well as the 50 free this year. Frehling was the runner-up in the 100-yard fly in 2009 and will help address a need for depth in the fly events for the Gators. Frehling trains with St. Petersburg Aquatics under coach Fred Lewis.
Coach Troy on Frehling:
“Kaitlin is probably the best sprinter in the state of Florida,” Troy said. “She will step in and help us fill a lot of needs. In addition to the sprint events, Kaitlin also swims the fly events, which will help us out.”
Frehling Highlights:
A five-star recruit and senior at Seminole High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., that trains with St. Petersburg Aquatics under Fred Lewis … A five-time high school All-American in the 100 fly, 50 free and 100 free… Five time Florida High School State Champion… 2007 State Champion in 50 free and 100 fly… 2008 State Champion in 50 free and 100 fly… 2009 State Champion in 50 free and runner-up in 100 fly… Boasts national experience as a 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle races… A member of the Pinch a Penny All-State Team in 2007 and 2008… The 2007 Southeastern Zone Champion in the 100 free… Earned a 15th-place finish in the 50 free at the 2008 U.S. Short Course Nationals and was a member of three seventh place relays at 2008 U.S. Nationals.
Alicia Mathieu (Marlborough, Conn.), RHAM High School
Mathieu, the 2009 Connecticut Swimmer of the Year will bring a wealth of distance freestyle talent to the Florida squad. The five-star recruit was a 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400 and 800-meter freestyle events and her best 500-yard freestyle mark would have been a 2009 NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Mathieu trains at SONOCO Swim Club in New Haven, Conn., with coach Bill Ball. In addition to her high school success, Mathieu boasts national experience as a distance freestyler that will benefit the Gators.
Coach Troy on Mathieu:
“Alicia will join us at Florida as one of the best distance swimmers from the state of Connecticut,” Troy said. “She has really, really good technique, is a great distance freestyler and we're excited to get her on campus.”
Mathieu Highlights:
The 2009 Connecticut Swimmer of the Year… Swims for RHAM High School in Marlborough, Conn… .Trains under Bill Ball and SONOCO Swim Club in New Haven, Conn… . A 2007 Pan Pacific Team member… 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400 and 800-meter freestyle events… Placed 22nd in the 800 free at U.S. Trials and finished 11th in the 10k at U.S. Olympic Trilas… An Eastern Sectional record holder who also holds 23 Connecticut records… A 2009 High School All-American… Multiple-time top-six National Age Group finisher.
Alana Pazevic (Mill Creek, Wash.), Jackson High School
A senior at Jackson High School in Washington, Pazevic joins the Gators as one of the top swimmers from the Seattle area. A multiple-time 4A State Champion, Pazevic took to the water last weekend for her fourth and final trip to the Washington High School 4A State Championships. The four-time state qualifier led Jackson to the 2008 State Championship Title, winning the 50 free and serving as a member of the 200-yard medley and 400-yard free relays. In addition to her freestyle speed, Pazevic is a threat in both the 100 backstroke and butterfly events, recently breaking Conference records in the 100 fly and 100 back at the 2009 4A District 1 meet. Pazevic's record in the 100 back (55.63) shattered the 17-year old previous record.
Coach Troy on Pazevic:
“Alana comes to us from Seattle,” Troy said of Pazevic. “She has great speed in both the fly and backstroke events and had great meet at the Washington State Meet last weekend. She's a real up-and-comer in swimming.”
Pazevic Highlights:
Jackson High School senior… 2007 Washington 4A State Champion in the 100 free… 2008 State Champion in the 50 free and as a member of the 200-yard medley and 400-yard free relays… Led the Timberwolves to the 2008 Class 4A Washington State Title… Placed 13th in the 100-meter back at 2009 Junior Nationals… A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American… High School All-American in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 back and 100 fly… An eight-time 4A Northwest District Champion… The 4A District record holder in the 100 back, 100 fly and 100 free.
Trish Regan (Carmel, Ind.), Carmel High School
A four-star recruit from the Indianapolis, Ind., area, Regan will join the Gator squad after serving as team captain of the 2009 Carmel High School swimming and diving team. Regan was the 2009 Indiana High School State Champion in the 200 IM, helping lead Carmel to its 23rd consecutive state title, the longest girls winning streak in the nation. A four-year varsity swimmer, Regan also played a role in shattering the 200-yard free relay National High School Record in 2009, while swimming the fly leg on the 2009 17-18 400-yard medley that broke a national age group record. Regan's success flows beyond high school swimming, as she was additionally a 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 200-meter individual medley.
Coach Troy on Regan:
“Trish is a very versatile swimmer,” Troy said. “She swims everything, especially IM, and she is probably going to help us some in the butterfly – she has good fly speed. She comes from a very athletic family and is one of the best swimmers from the Indianapolis area.”
Regan Highlights:
Swims at Carmel High School under Chris Plumb… Additionally trains at Carmel Swim Club… Boasts national experience as a 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 200-meter individual medley… Contributed a ninth place finish in the 200-meter IM at U.S. Long Course Junior Nationals, a second-place finish as a member of the 400-meter free relay, third in the 400-meter medley relay and fourth in the 800-meter free relay at Junior Nationals… 2009 Carmel High School team captain… Four-year varsity letter winner… Member of the 2009 Carmel team that captured the Indiana High School State Championship, its 23rd consecutive title, the longest girls winning streak in the nation… An individual State Champion in 2008 (200 free) and 2009 (200 IM).
Julia Treible (Roswell, Ga.), Centennial High School
Treible will keep Orange and Blue in the family as the niece of Gator great, Kathy Treible (1980-84). Treible, a senior team captain at Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., will bring talent and depth to the breaststroke events, an event Florida has lacked depth in. The 2009-10 National Youth Team member was the 2009 State Champion in the 100-yard breast, earning High School All-American honors for her talent in the event.
Coach Troy on Treible:
“Right now, we are a little weak and thin in the breaststroke events,” Troy said. “Julia is a classic breaststroker, she has good technique and swims for the best club in Atlanta. Her aunt, Kathy Treible, was one of the most decorated swimmers in Florida history (1980-84).”
Treible Highlights:
A 2009 Centennial High School team captain… Trains under Mark Minier at Swim Atlanta… A 2009-10 National Youth team member… Placed 10th in the 200 breast at 2008 Short Course Nationals… Also took 12th in the 100 breast at 2008 Short Course Nationals… Brought home ninth in the 200-meter breast at the 1009 Junior National meet… The 2009 Georgia High School State Champion in the 100-yard breast… Earned High School All-American honors in the 100-yard breast and 200-yard IM… A three-time Georgia All-State Team selection.
-UF-
