Northern State swim coach Elyce Kastigar has announced the addition of four individuals to the NSU program. The group includes Eliza Jacob (Ramsey, Minn.), Katelyn Rhodes (Fresno, Calif.), Katherine Springer (Anoka, Minn.) and Kamie Wager (Valley City, N.D.).
All four will enroll in classes at NSU and join the Wolves for pre-season workouts next fall, with competition beginning during the 2013-14 season.
Each of these young ladies will bring in strength and depth into our developing program as we enter our seventh year, Kastigar said. They will have a tremendous impact for our team in that they will be able to come in scoring for our program.
· Jacob comes to NSU from Anoka High School, where she was a team captain and state qualifier for the Tornados. Out of the pool, Jacob is active in student council, National Honor Society and her church.
Eliza will bring in needed strength in the breaststroke and will offer versatility in the IM and mid-distance freestyle events, Kastigar said.
· Rhodes is a Clovis North High School product, where she was voted as the Broncos' most valuable swimmer twice and most inspirational swimmer in 2012. She was also named as Central California Swimming's Swimmer of the Year from 2009 to 2011. Away from the pool, Rhodes serves as president of B.R.O.N.C.Z., a special needs club, and also volunteered at the Break the Barriers swim program as a coach.
Katelyn is an excellent performer in the butterfly and mid-distance freestyle events, Kastigar said. Her current times will impact our program greatly and be an immediate scorer for our team.
· Springer, another Anoka High School product, will join her teammate Jacob in the NSU program next fall. Springer was named to the All-Conference team each of the past three seasons, and as the MVP in 2011. A five-year letter-winner for the Tornados, she was named as the AHS Rookie of the Year during her seventh grade season. She has also been chosen as a team captain for the 2012 season.
Katherine will bring in some good times in the 200, 100 and 50 freestyles, Kastigar said. This will strengthen our freestyle events and will certainly be a factor in our relays next year.
· A Valley City, N.D. native, Wagar competed with the Jamestown High School Blue Jays in the pool. She was named to the All-Western Dakota Association conference team in 2012. A top 16 performer at the state level last season, Wagar has been honored with the team's Spirit Award and Most Outstanding Season award in her career.
Kamie is a versatile swimmer who will impact and score in the butterfly, breaststroke, sprint free and IM events, Kastigar said.