Courtesy: JMU Athletics
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison swimming & diving head coach Dane Pedersen announced the signing of eight student-athletes, six swimmers and two divers, on Tuesday afternoon.
“This class adds talent and depth to much needed areas on our roster,” said head coach Pedersen. “They provide a variety of abilities and specific events. We can’t wait for them to join us in the pool and on the boards. They are not only talented athletes but are also great fits with JMU and our swimming and diving family team culture.”
Grace Bousum
Height: 5’10
Hometown/High School: Chester Springs, PA // Downingtown HS East
Career Highlights: Finished first in the 200 free at PA YMCA East District Championships…top five finish in 200 Breast and top-8 finish in 100 Back at PA YMCA East District Championships…top 10 finish in 100 Fly…top five finish in 100 Fly and top-8 finish in 200 IM at PIAA District 01 Girls Championship…top five finish in 500 free at PIAA District 01 Girls Championship…plans to major in psychology.
Suzanne Harris
Height: 5′ 8
Hometown/High School: Roanoke, Va. // Cave Spring HS
Career Highlights: Two-time VHSL State Athlete Swimmer…top eight finisher at Timesland Invitational…finished first in 200 Freestyle… VHSL 3A State Champion in 200 Individual Medley… First Team All Timesland Swimmer…top eight finisher in 400 IM and 200 IM at ISCA Junior Nationals…top eight finisher in 100 Breaststroke and 200 IM…top eight finisher at PIT Christmas Showcase Classic in 100 Breaststroke and 200 IM…Beta Club Member… is a Honor Roll Student…plans to major in english
Alexa Holloway
Height: 5’4
Hometown/High School: Spring, Texas // Klein Oak
Career Highlights: Member of the varsity team…competes for Woodlands Diving Academy…competes for Cypress Academy of Gymnastics… 2019 Regional Gymnastics Champion…plans to major in business management
Erin Jachym
Height: 5’7
Hometown/High School: Westfield, Mass. // Suffield Academy
Career Highlights: Top five finish in the 200 free and finished second in the 500 free at New England Division I Prep School Championships… top four finish in 400 free at New England Senior Championship… plans to major in psychology
Rachel McCoy
Height: 5’8
Hometown/High School: Mt Airy, Md. // Linganore
Career Highlights: High school record holder in 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly…Frederick County record holder in 50 free…two-time top eight finisher in 100 butterfly at MD Short Course Championship…two-time top-8 finisher in 200 butterfly at MD Short Course Championship…two-time Frederick County All-County Swimming…Linganore HS Coaches Award…a member National Honor Society…Quill and Scroll Honor Society…plans to major in computer science
Emily Visscher
Height: 5’9
Hometown/High School: Port Orange, Fla. // Atlantic
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity swimmer…four-time District and Regional champion…has qualified for states every season…a member of the National Honors Society…plans to major in kinesiology.
Abi White
Height: 5’4
Hometown/High School: Thomasville, Ga. // Thomasville
Career Highlights: Placed fifth on the 1-meter at the State Championships for Class 1-3A her junior year…took the silver at States sophomore season… placed seventh on 1-meter in 2018 at States…competed with Moss Farms Diving…a member of National Honor Society…plans to major in biology.
Abby Zindler
Height: 5’4
Hometown/High School: Oak Hill, Va. // Oakton
Career Highlights: Named to the 2020 Washington Post All-Metro Honorable Mention Team…2019 All-Region selection…Finished fourth in 100-yard breaststroke at VA 6A State Championships…2019 All-American in 200 medley and 200 free…three-time All-District…Three-year letter winner… swims for Machine Aquatics…plans to major in psychology.
“This class is unlike any other class we’ve recruited due to the challenges of the pandemic,” stated Pedersen. “Like so many other aspects of our lives, the pandemic has changed the recruiting process – mainly the absence of official visits. More than half of this class was unable to take an official visit to JMU to see campus, conduct academic meetings, observe practice and most importantly interact with the team. Regardless of the new challenges, we couldn’t be more excited by this class both from a talent standpoint and team culture fit.”
