HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dayton Raider swimming club teammates, Anna Lynch and Maddie Schaffer have each signed National Letters of Intent with Marshall University, coach Bill Tramel announced Monday. Both swim for Kevin Weldon of the Dayton Raiders, a USA Swimming certified Gold Medal team. The designation ranks the team as one of the Top 20 USA Swimming clubs in the nation.
Lynch is a senior at Oakwood High School in Dayton and is a freestyle specialist. As a junior at the 2014 Ohio State High School Swimming Championships, Lynch was fourth in the 500 freestyle and ninth in the 200 freestyle. Her top times include 1:52.26 in the 200 freestyle, 4:57.40 in the 500 freestyle.
“I chose Marshall University because I absolutely love the team, the coaching staff, and the environment on campus,” Lynch said. “I believe that I will have great academic and athletic opportunity at Marshall and I believe that with the school’s amazing staff, I will continue to improve in both areas.”
Schaffer will be a 2015 graduate of Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Ohio. She excels in the Butterfly and Individual Medley. As a junior at the 2014 Ohio State High School Swimming Championships, Schaffer placed 5th in the 200 IM and 8th in the 100 butterfly. Her top times include 57.53 in the 100 fly, 2:06.56 in the 200 fly, 2:07.09 in the 200 IM and 4:30.28 in the 400 IM. Schaffer is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in nursing.
“I knew right after visiting Marshall that this was the place for me.” Schaffer said. “I just loved the girls and how they really made me feel like I was already part of the team.”
Tramel said he is excited to add both to the Marshall family next fall.
“The Dayton Raiders consistently produce top swimmers every year,” Tramel said. “They were ranked as the 14th best club team by United States Swimming for 2014. Dayton is just over 3 hours from Marshall University, so with the close proximity, we hope this is the start of a long trend of Raider grads joining us in Huntington.”
Tramel also said he is excited for the chance to coach Schaffer and Lynch and also adds that the duo should continue to improve before they even arrive at the school.
“I am really fired up about both of these young ladies,” Tramel said. “Maddie had a fantastic summer and her summer results long course meters are better than her short course yards times. She has enjoyed a nice improvement curve over her high school career, and I know by the time she gets to Marshall next Fall, she will be much faster.
“Anna, she is the pure freestyler everyone wants on their team. She is mostly mid-distance, but has range. I’m not sure she will go down to the 50, however, she will definitely contribute on the 400 and 800 freestyle relays. Anna keeps improving as well. But that is what you expect from a Dayton Raider swimmers. They are well coached and keep dropping time. ”
Lynch and Schaffer are the second and third members of the Herd’s Class of 2019 recruiting class.
Above is a press release submitted by Marshall.
