Wisconsin Swimming and Diving Signs Seven in Early Period
November 28, 2001 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving programs inked seven student-athletes to national letters of intent in this year's early signing period. Three of the brand new Badgers hail from Colorado, two are from Illinois, one is from North Carolina and one is from California.
'I am pleased these swimmers chose to be Badgers,' Hansen said. 'They are another excellent component to the Wisconsin swimming and diving team. I am confident they will add to the current and future success of the program. '
On the women's side, Anna Maria Trinidad (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lindsay Leech (Naperville, Ill.), Sarah Hernandez (Chico, Calif.) and Rebecca Johansson (Greensboro, N.C.) will hit the Big Ten waters for the Badgers in 2002.
Colorado Swimmer of the Year in 2001, Trinidad is an Olympic Trial qualifier (200 breast) and an eight-time state champion in the 100 breast, 200 IM and 400 free relay. Leech is a YMCA National qualifier, a 2001 U.S. Open qualifier and state champion in the 200 medley relay. A four-time junior national qualifier, Hernandez was her high school's MVP in 1999 and 2001, holds four high school records and was the 2001 NSCIF Outstanding swimmer. Johansson will add freestyle strength to the Badger core, primarily swimming the mid- to long-distance free events in high school.
Diving coach Lee-Jay Strifler also signed a diver to the mix. Wisconsin's top divers this year are Siobhan and Megan Kernan, who are seniors. Megan Balkenbush (Fort Collins, Colo.) will look to fill the shoes of the departing twin sisters. Balkenbush was the Colorado Class 5A state champion in 2000 and runner-up in 2001. A first-team all-American and three-time first-team all-conference selection, Balkenbush was named the Colorado sports Woman of the Year in Diving.
On the men's side, Stephen Maxfield (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and James Wike (Sterling, Ill.) signed to swim for Bucky. The 2001 state champion in the 200 IM, Maxfield was runner-up in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke in 2000. Wike, a two-time state champion in the 100 backstroke, is a five-time first team all-American and a national qualifier in the 100 and 200 back.
'The most impressive trait of this class is its versatility, ' Hansen said. 'It is a group of swimmers that can do anything. '
