Swimming & Dive Welcomes Nine Newcomers for 2021-22 Season
6/3/2021 9:57:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
STATESBORO, Ga. – On Thursday afternoon, head coach Amanda Caldwell announced the 2021 Swimming and Diving recruiting class. The Eagles will welcome nine newcomers for the 2021-22 season.
"Collectively speaking, these 9 women will be striking a change in our team," said head coach Amanda Caldwell. "They are bringing talent, depth, and character qualities that will continue to grow our program. I could not be more excited for what the upcoming year has in store and look forward to bringing these women together with our already young team."
Madie Banks
Panther Creek HS / Raleigh Swimming Association
Personal Bests
500 Freestyle 5:06.47
1000 Freestyle 10:25.06
1650 Freestyle 17:21.31
200 Backstroke 2:05.28
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I already felt like part of the team after talking to some of the girls. I could tell that the girls were like family to each other and were willing to work hard and that's exactly what I was looking for! Another reason I chose GS was because they have a great Computer Science program (which is what I want to major in) and I know I will be set up for success after I graduate. I cannot wait to attend GS and be on the amazing swim team!"
Zurine Clavo
I.E.S. de Excelencia Deportiva "Ortega Y Gasset"/ Madrid, Spain
Personal Bests
LCM 200 Freestyle - 2:09.09
LCM 400 Freestyle - 4:26.38
LCM 800 Freestyle - 9:09.06
LCM 1650 Freestyle - 17:32.24
Why I chose GS: "I have chosen GS because this university has a wide selection of careers and amazing facilities. In addition, the swimming team seemed to me very strong and competitive with a very nice coach."
Grace Drawdy
South Forsyth HS / Swim Atlanta
Personal Bests
500 Freestyle - 5:11.01
1000 Freestyle - 10:33.3
200 Backstroke - 2:08.72
100 Butterfly - 58.13
200 Butterfly - 2:04.94
400 IM - 4:33.72
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because it's a university that offers the total package. It is a place where I can grow as a student athlete. The academic offerings are diverse and challenging, and I absolutely love the positive and supportive team culture of the Women's swim team. I love everyone's commitment to excellence and drive to be the best they can be. I can't wait to spend the next 4 years in Statesboro!"
Jenna Maloy
Riverside HS / YMCA of the Triangle Area Swim Team
Personal Bests
100 Breaststroke - 1:07.91
200 Breaststroke - 2:25.55
100 Butterfly - 57.08
200 Butterfly - 2:04.95
200 IM - 2:09.65
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because it felt like the perfect fit for me, with the family atmosphere of the team, the beautiful campus, and the amazing coaching staff. I also am super excited for the many opportunities I will be given at Georgia Southern. "
Hannah Merrill
Rockwall HS / Rockwall Aquatic Center of Excellence
Personal Bests
1650 Freesyle - 18:06.39
100 Butterfly - 57.15
200 Butterfly - 2:03.48
400 IM - 4:35.91
Why I chose GS: Stepping onto Georgia Southern's campus for the first time, I quickly sensed a positive environment. I chose GS because of the importance that culture plays to the women on the team and to Coach Amanda. I'm so excited to see what we can accomplish together as a team. I can't wait to be an Eagle! #GATA 🦅
Megan Phifer
Tipton HS
Personal Bests
1m (11 dives) 396.90
1m (6 dives) 243.30
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I see a future of growth here within myself and teammates. I wanted nothing more than to be apart of this blue collar family that has the same drive to work hard for a better future."
Marissa Santos
Boca Ciega HS/ West Florida Lightning Aquatics
Personal Bests
1m (10 dives) - 301.60
3m (10 dives) - 310.00
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because of the great team atmosphere and the beautiful campus!"
Denise Quentin
Malone University / Schwerte, Germany
Personal Bests
50 Freestyle - 23.62
100 Freestyle - 51.02
200 Freestyle - 1:52.83
100 Breaststroke - 1:06.13
100 Butterfly - 56.00
200 IM - 2:06.46
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I wanted to explore all the great opportunities the University provides."
Abby Wenham
Discovery HS/Swim Atlanta
Personal Bests
50 Freestyle - 23.64
100 Freestyle - 51.82
200 Freestyle - 1:55.84
100 Backstroke - 58.74
200 Backstroke - 2:08.74
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I wanted to attend a university that has a top program in my major along with a competitive swimming program. Georgia Southern offers me both, and I can't wait to be an eagle!"
"Collectively speaking, these 9 women will be striking a change in our team," said head coach Amanda Caldwell. "They are bringing talent, depth, and character qualities that will continue to grow our program. I could not be more excited for what the upcoming year has in store and look forward to bringing these women together with our already young team."
Madie Banks
Panther Creek HS / Raleigh Swimming Association
Personal Bests
500 Freestyle 5:06.47
1000 Freestyle 10:25.06
1650 Freestyle 17:21.31
200 Backstroke 2:05.28
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I already felt like part of the team after talking to some of the girls. I could tell that the girls were like family to each other and were willing to work hard and that's exactly what I was looking for! Another reason I chose GS was because they have a great Computer Science program (which is what I want to major in) and I know I will be set up for success after I graduate. I cannot wait to attend GS and be on the amazing swim team!"
Zurine Clavo
I.E.S. de Excelencia Deportiva "Ortega Y Gasset"/ Madrid, Spain
Personal Bests
LCM 200 Freestyle - 2:09.09
LCM 400 Freestyle - 4:26.38
LCM 800 Freestyle - 9:09.06
LCM 1650 Freestyle - 17:32.24
Why I chose GS: "I have chosen GS because this university has a wide selection of careers and amazing facilities. In addition, the swimming team seemed to me very strong and competitive with a very nice coach."
Grace Drawdy
South Forsyth HS / Swim Atlanta
Personal Bests
500 Freestyle - 5:11.01
1000 Freestyle - 10:33.3
200 Backstroke - 2:08.72
100 Butterfly - 58.13
200 Butterfly - 2:04.94
400 IM - 4:33.72
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because it's a university that offers the total package. It is a place where I can grow as a student athlete. The academic offerings are diverse and challenging, and I absolutely love the positive and supportive team culture of the Women's swim team. I love everyone's commitment to excellence and drive to be the best they can be. I can't wait to spend the next 4 years in Statesboro!"
Jenna Maloy
Riverside HS / YMCA of the Triangle Area Swim Team
Personal Bests
100 Breaststroke - 1:07.91
200 Breaststroke - 2:25.55
100 Butterfly - 57.08
200 Butterfly - 2:04.95
200 IM - 2:09.65
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because it felt like the perfect fit for me, with the family atmosphere of the team, the beautiful campus, and the amazing coaching staff. I also am super excited for the many opportunities I will be given at Georgia Southern. "
Hannah Merrill
Rockwall HS / Rockwall Aquatic Center of Excellence
Personal Bests
1650 Freesyle - 18:06.39
100 Butterfly - 57.15
200 Butterfly - 2:03.48
400 IM - 4:35.91
Why I chose GS: Stepping onto Georgia Southern's campus for the first time, I quickly sensed a positive environment. I chose GS because of the importance that culture plays to the women on the team and to Coach Amanda. I'm so excited to see what we can accomplish together as a team. I can't wait to be an Eagle! #GATA 🦅
Megan Phifer
Tipton HS
Personal Bests
1m (11 dives) 396.90
1m (6 dives) 243.30
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I see a future of growth here within myself and teammates. I wanted nothing more than to be apart of this blue collar family that has the same drive to work hard for a better future."
Marissa Santos
Boca Ciega HS/ West Florida Lightning Aquatics
Personal Bests
1m (10 dives) - 301.60
3m (10 dives) - 310.00
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because of the great team atmosphere and the beautiful campus!"
Denise Quentin
Malone University / Schwerte, Germany
Personal Bests
50 Freestyle - 23.62
100 Freestyle - 51.02
200 Freestyle - 1:52.83
100 Breaststroke - 1:06.13
100 Butterfly - 56.00
200 IM - 2:06.46
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I wanted to explore all the great opportunities the University provides."
Abby Wenham
Discovery HS/Swim Atlanta
Personal Bests
50 Freestyle - 23.64
100 Freestyle - 51.82
200 Freestyle - 1:55.84
100 Backstroke - 58.74
200 Backstroke - 2:08.74
Why I chose GS: "I chose Georgia Southern because I wanted to attend a university that has a top program in my major along with a competitive swimming program. Georgia Southern offers me both, and I can't wait to be an eagle!"
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