FGCU Signs Two In Early Signing Period

Clark, who shines in the backstroke, and Moynihan, who is at her best in the freestyle, will look to add immediate depth to a program that has won seven CCSA Championships in the past eight years.

“We are excited to welcome Izzi and Rebecca into the Eagle family,” said FGCU head coach Dave Rollins. “Both are outstanding young women who will fit in well with our program. Both of these young women have incredible upsides and are going to be future stars on our team.”

Clark (O’Fallon, Mo./Fort Zumwalt West), who comes to FGCU as the 14th ranked swimmer in Missouri and was the Eagles’ first commitment of the fall, looks to be an immediate contributor to the Green and Blue as her top times in both the 100 back (56.62) and 200 back (2:03.97) would have qualified for the ‘A’ final at last year’s CCSA Championships.

A member of the Rockwood Swim Club, Clark was a finalist in the 100 back at the 2016 USA Swimming Futures Championships in August and finished sixth overall with a long course time of 1:05.26. She was also a finalist in the 100 back at the Speedo Champions Series (Jenks) in March and finished fourth in a near personal best time of 1:04.90. Throughout her four-year scholastic career, the O’Fallon, Mo., native improved her time in the 100 back (long course) by four seconds.

“I chose FGCU because I immediately felt at home and was embraced by the girls on the team and the coaches,” Clark said of her commitment. “The campus and facilities are absolutely amazing. I believe Coach Rollins will continue to grow the success of the program and lead me to my best potential as a swimmer and student-athlete.”

Moynihan (Levin, New Zealand/Waiopehu College) is yet another talented international signee for the Eagles and comes to FGCU from Waiopehu College in New Zealand, where she was named the Sportsperson of the Year for three years running (2014-16).

Most recently, Moynihan performed well at a pair of high-profile meets including the 2016 New Zealand Open Championships last March, which also serves as the nation’s Olympic Trials, and the 2016 New Zealand Short Course Championships in October. After finishing fourth in the 50 free and 13th in the 100 free at the Open Championships, Moynihan went on to win the 50 free at the Short Couse Championships in a converted time of 23.33 seconds. She also placed third in the 100 free, sixth in the 200 free, ninth in the 50 back and seventh in the 100 back at the meet, and her times in every event but the 200 free were good for new personal bests.

“FGCU offered me the whole package; a great coach and a welcoming team alongside a strong academic program,” Moynihan added. “Coach Rollins and the team made me feel like I belonged right away, and I knew that FGCU was the school for me.”

UP NEXT
In its final competitions prior to the holiday break, the FGCU diving team will travel to Coral Springs, Fla., to compete against Clemson Wednesday, Dec. 14, while the swimming team will host CCSA opponent UNC Asheville at the FGCU Aquatics Center Sunday, Dec. 18. The Green and Blue are 33-1 all-time against conference foes after defeating UNF, 159-95, earlier this season.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women’s swimming and diving, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WSWIM and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.

HEAD COACH DAVE ROLLINS
First-year head coach Dave Rollins became the program’s second head coach in program history on Sept. 1, 2016. Most recently the associate head men’s swimming coach at The Ohio State University, Rollins brings 10 years of coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels. A standout collegiate athlete in his own right, Rollins was a nine-time NCAA All-American and national champion as a member of the University of Arizona swimming & diving team from 2002-06.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

News courtesy of FGCU Athletics