Courtesy: Colorado State Athletics
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Recruiting for the 2023 class took the first steps as Colorado State coach Christopher Woodard announced the signing of five swimmers on Monday.
The entire class enters as freshmen, with two of them enrolling from abroad. Woodard went coast to coast here at home to find Mia Axelman (California), Maddi Geyer (North Carolina) and Lindsey Blake (Texas), while the class get an international flair from the arrivals of Tess Whineray (New Zealand) and Mavi Nehir Isman (Turkey).
“We are so pleased to have these young women joining our program for the 2023-24 season,” Woodard said. “We specifically targeted athletes who possessed a love for the sport and the process, cherish and honor the opportunity to represent themselves and their team, and have a hunger to learn and put those lessons into the race. We believe they are all impact performers and great teammates.”
Mia Axelman | Grass Valley, Calif. | Forest Charter
A sectionals finalist and Futures qualifier, she won the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley while placing third in the 100 free at the Sierra Nevada Winter Championships. She was the Sierra Nevada swimming scholar athlete from 2019-21, has set 19 age-group records for her club and holds personal records of 1:51.46 in the 200 freestyle, 52.39 in the 100 free and 2:06.74 in the 200 IM.
Woodard says: “Mia proved herself an immediate favorite during the recruiting process. Her outgoing nature and desire to put in the work should pay dividends quickly. Her potential is undeniable, and we believe her versatility in the pool is crucial in our progress as a team as she can swim freestyle, breaststroke and the IM.”
Lindsey Blake | Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown
A four-time state placer, she has also been a three-time high-point scorer for her high school swim team. She has consistently moved up the ladder at the state meet, finishing fourth in the 200 IM as a junior, while adding her first placing in the 100 backstroke (ninth). A Futures qualifier, she placed 11th in the 400 IM at the event. She holds personal records of 4:24.10 in the 400 IM, 2:05.88 in the 200 IM and 2:23.74 in the 200 breaststroke.
Woodard says: “Lindsey is the lead-by-example, quiet leader every team hopes to land. Lindsey’s ability to swim all stroke disciplines and her experience as a Texas high school state finalist are key to our program continuing to grow in the IM and stroke events.”
Maddi Geyer | Charlotte, N.C. | Union Academy Charter
She is a state champion in two different states. She won the 100 breaststroke in the state of Louisiana during her first two prep seasons, setting the state record, then won the North Carolina 3A state title in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. For her club, she has qualified for Winter Junior Nationals and Futures meets, holding personal-bests of 4:23.62 in the 400 IM, 2:03.81 in the 200 IM and 2:17.31 in the 200 breaststroke.
Woodard says: “Maddi possesses more knowledge about swimming and race strategy than most other athletes. She doesn’t shy away from the hard work and her continual progression will make her a threat in our IM and stroke events upon her arrival.”
Mavi Nehir Isman | Istanbul, Turkey |
A national team member for Turkey, she has placed multiple times through the years, including championship swims at the junior level. She won the 50-meter butterfly in 2019, placing third in the 50 back in 2020 and 2021, winning the 100 back that season, adding a runner-up finish in the 50 fly. She holds personal records of 1:01.82 in the 100 fly, 1:03.84 in the 100 back and 28.84 in the 50 back, all short-course meters.
Woodard says: “Mavi can sprint and her ability to race butterfly definitely caught our eye. She is obsessive in her race preparations and with some technical work and time in the weight room, we know she can make a big impact in her primary events and in our team relays.”
Tess Whineray | Auckland, New Zealand | Western Springs College
She has resume of national competitions on her resume and was selected to represent her country at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii. At one national meet, she won the 100 backstroke in the morning then went into covid lockdown that night when the pandemic hit. She was named the Sportswoman of the Year at her school as a senior, as well as the most promising athlete. She has won state relay titles through the years, while also playing netball for two seasons. She holds personal short-course meter records of 1:01.60 in the 100 back, 2:13.73 in the 200 back and 28.94 in the 50 back.
Woodard says: “Tess brings a wealth of national and international experience and a great attitude. We are so excited to welcome her aboard as she proved to us, she has the self-awareness and desire to be a champion. She will definitely impact our backstroke events immediately, as well as our relays.”
Hopping on the Turkish hype train. Looks like a solid class, but they need to step up their in state recruiting…
agree on the in state recruiting comment. the swimmers are there for the taking.
Basarilar Mavi Nehir! Congrats to all the swimmers. Wishing you all the best.