Swimming and Diving | 5/2/2016 2:11:00 PM

STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Swimming & Diving Head Coach Nate Kellogg has announced the signing of three additional student-athletes to the Signing Class of 2016. Mary Coates, Markiyah Davis and Abigail Duncan will join the Eagles for the 2016-17 campaign which kicks off this fall.


Mary Coates
Hometown/High School: Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial
Club Team: Tide Swimming (Coach Josh Fulton)
Major: Sport Management
Top Times: 100 Breast (1:06.87), 200 Breast (2:24.13), 200 Back (2:08.23), 200 IM (2:11.30)

"We are thrilled to have Mary join our program," said Coach Kellogg. "Her attitude and personality really shined throughout the recruiting process. Mary has improved over the years and with her exceptional work ethic, we expect that improvement to continue throughout her career as an Eagle."


Markiyah Davis
Hometown/High School: Loganville, Ga./South Gwinnett
Club Team: Georgia Diving Club (Jonathan Fennelly)
Major: Undecided
Top Scores: 1-Meter (11 dives - 358.75)

"We are excited that Markiyah is going to be an Eagle," said Diving Coach David Giambra. "Markiyah was a gymnast for ten years before becoming making the switch to diving. She currently dives at the Georgia Diving Club which trains in Athens. In her time as a diver, she has qualified for the Georgia State meet three times and finished 11th this past year. Markiyah is a very talented diver who we expect to have an immediate impact on the boards as an Eagle."


Abigail Duncan
Hometown/High School: Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett
Club Team: Swim Atlanta (Landon Harrison)
Major: Business
Top Scores: 200 Back (2:08.93), 200 Fly (2:09.72), 200 IM (2:10.66), 400 IM (4:38.89)

"Abby came on our radar late in the process, but we are glad she is an Eagle," said Kellogg. She has shown that she is very motivated to compete at the next level. Coming from one of the best club programs in the country, she will come in with a great background and we fully expect Abby to realize her potential at Georgia Southern."

These three signees join the class of 2020 which include Elizabeth Chemey, Markie Duffy, Ashley Kubel, Brianna Mazzei, Anna Moers, Riha Moss, Gretchen Mossburg and Madison Sarantakos.

Georgia Southern finished third at the 2016 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Championships. Head Coach Nate Kellogg was named CCSA Co-Coach of the Year while diving coach David Giambra earned CCSA the Diving Coach of the Year award. Senior Emma Weisel sweeped the diving events while Freshman Mykala Arnold finished the meet with a third place finish in the 200 Back.

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