Colorado State Swimming and Diving Ink 7 to 2015-16 Class

The Colorado State swimming & diving program signed seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early-signing period, which began on Nov. 12.

USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier Mackenzie Halligan was the first to send in her paperwork. The Bend, Ore., native will graduate this May from Summit High School, where she holds two school records. The class includes five swimmers and two divers, and student-athletes from six states across the country.

“We’re really excited about the class that we brought in,” Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. “We feel like we’ve started to develop a framework for the type of athletes we want in this program, and this class continues that accent. We wanted to find not only good athletes, but ones with great character, and girls who want to be Rams and will buy in to what it means to be part of this program.”

The seven student-athletes who will join the CSU roster for the 2015-16 season are:

Ida Donohue
Will be a 2015 graduate of Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Ore. … Swam for the Corvallis Aquatic Team… Won a state championship in the 100 Butterfly (58.50)… Earned club state titles in the 500 Freestyle (5:02.37), 1000 Freestyle (10:10.89), 1650 Freestyle (17:11.43), 200 Butterfly (208.47) and 400 IM (4:31.38)… Placed ninth at the Speedo Champions Series Western Section… Qualified for NCSA Junior Nationals in the 1000 and 1650… Parents are Dc and Daniel Donohue.

“Ida should give us an immediate punch in our distance freestyle events,” Woodard said. “We know she will come in prepared having developed a great base with Corvallis and Oregon Coach of the Year, Rick Guenther. We expect her to help us from Day 1.”

Mackenzie Halligan
Will be a 2015 graduate of Summit High School in Bend, Ore. … Swam for CSA Current Swimming… Won a state championship in the 500 Freestyle (4:56.87) in 2013 and 200 Freestyle (1:53.35) in 2014… Holds school records in both individual events, plus the 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay… Is a USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier… Was a three-time captain… Earned USA Swimming Academic All-America honors in both 2013 and 2014… Parents are Scott and Amy Halligan… Intends to study psychology with a focus in criminal justice.

“Mackenzie really impressed us with her character,” Woodard said. “She is very determined, and she wants to be one of the top swimmers in the Mountain West. She had a great year under Coach Ann Brewer, and she will be able to impact our lineup in multiple events due to her versatility and toughness.”

Kelsey Lawton
Will be a 2015 graduate of Holly Springs High School in Cary, N.C. … Swam for YMCA of the Triangle Area… Won a national championship in the 400 Freestyle Relay at the 2014 YMCA Nationals… Was a 2013 summer and winter Junior National Qualifier… Holds top times of 1:04.56 (100 Backstroke), 2:20.11 (200 Backstroke), 27.40 (50 Freestyle) and 59.11 (100 Freestyle)… Parents are Bill and Cindie Lawton… Intends to study biomedical sciences.

“Kelsey has found her stride again with YOTA Coach Chad Onken,” Woodard said. “She rebounded from injury and is swimming at a high level in her events. Kelsey will help us right up the middle with strong results in the 100 and 200 Free and Back events.”

Nicole Sisco
Will be a 2015 graduate of Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Ill. … Competed for the Glenbrook Aquatics Diving Club… Is an AAU National Qualifier for diving… Competed competitively in gymnastics for 12 years, winning a state championship… Parents are John and Suzanne Sisco… Is interested in studying construction management.

“Nicole is a former gymnast with a great deal of athletic ability,” head diving coach Kevin Witt<http://www.csurams.com/sports/w-swim/mtt/kevin_witt_241322.html> said. “I am excited to have her as a part of our team. She will bring a great attitude and work ethic, along with a very high ceiling athletically. She is a wonderful addition to our team.”

Tonica Thomas
Will be a 2015 graduate of Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nev. … Swam for the Desert Storm… Ranked No. 17 in the 200 Backstroke at the 2014 NCSA Junior Nationals… Was a Southern California Junior Olympic qualifier… Holds Nevada state records in the 100 and 200 Backstroke, winning 2013 state titles in both events… Finished fourth in the 50 Freestyle… Named the NIAA Regional Female Swimmer of the Year in 2012-13… Earned her team’s MVP award three times… Is a scholar athlete… Parents are Leandrew and Alecia Thomas… Intends to study health & exercise science.

“Tonica is a stud coming out of Bill Carroll’s Desert Storm program,” Woodard said. “She can score immediately in both her signature events – the 100 and 200 Backstroke – and is still developing quickly in other events. The thing we like about Tonica is that she will do whatever it takes. She works very well with teammates, has a long of energy and sets high goals for herself.”

Ryli Waisanen
Will be a 2015 graduate of Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences in Stafford, Va. … Swam for Nation’s Capital Swim Team… Is an NCSA qualifier… Named to her newspaper’s all-area team… Earned team MVP honors as a sophomore and the rookie of the year award as a freshman… Holds top times of 24.12 (50 Freestyle), 53.14 (100 Freestyle) and 58.21 (100 Butterfly)… Parents are David and Jody Waisanen… Is interested in studying biomedical sciences.

“Ryli is coming from the nationally ranked NCAP program and Coach Jeremy Linn,” Woodard said. “She is a bit raw, but is on the cusp of some big performances this season in the sprint freestyle and fly events. During her visit, we knew she would be a valuable addition for us – her Ram pride is infectious.”

Flori Witenstein
Will be a 2015 graduate of Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, Ariz. … Competed for the Arizona Marlins Diving Club… Is an AAU National Qualifier for diving… Named her high school’s diver of the year twice… Is a three-time district champion… Parents are Daniel and Julie Witenstein.

“I am very excited to have Flori join our team,” Witt said. “She is a very talented athlete and comes from a club team and coach who have sent us good divers in the past. Flori is a very hard-working student and athlete, and will be a good addition to our strong team of divers.”

College Swimming News courtesy of Colorado State swimming & diving.

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About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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