Courtesy: Duke Athletics
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison swimming & diving has signed five student-athletes, four swimmers and one diver, as part of its 2021 signing class, head coach Dane Pedersen announced Monday afternoon.
“Due to a small graduating class this year, we were very selective in the recruiting process focusing directly on filling specific needs and events,” Pedersen said. “As always, our top priority is finding individuals who fit and contribute to our team culture and JMU community. Alex, Ann Chappell, Jamie, Riley and Maddie exceed in those areas.”
Jamie Cornwell
Height: 5’11
Hometown/High School: Gainesville, Va./Battlefield
Career Highlights: 2018-19 state qualifier in the 50 Free… 2019-20 State Finals qualifier in the 50 and 100 Frees, was an All-American and earned a bronze medal in the 200 Medley… 2020-21 State Finals qualifier in the 100 Free and 100 Back, was an All-American and State Champion in the 200 Medley Relay and an All-American in the 400 Free Relay… 2021-22 Junior National qualifier in the 50 and 100 Free and 100 Back.
Ann Chappell Ellington
Height: 5’6
Hometown/High School: Newport News, Va./Menchville
Career Highlights: 2018-19 VHSL State Finalist in the 50 and 500 Free… 2019-20 VHSL 4A State Champion in the 4×50 Free Relay and third place in the 100 Free, VHSL Regional Champion in the 200 Free and runner up in the 100 Free… Member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society while on honor roll four times and being SCA President.
Riley Nugent
Height: 6’0
Hometown/High School: Plainwell, Mich./Plainwell
Career Highlights: 2018-19 State Champion and All-State selection… 2019-20 two-time State Champion and All-State selection with several conference titles… 2020-21 three-time State Champion with another All-State selection… 2021-22 three-time State Champion…Member of the National Honors Society, Red Cross Club, and PALs.
Maddie O’Mera
Height: 5’5
Hometown/High School: Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South
Career Highlights: Earned multiple top-15 finishes through high school career including top three places at Conference Finals… Recipient of honor roll recognition.
Alex Volk
Height: 5’10
Hometown/High School: Lutherville-Timonium, Md./Notre Dame Prepatory
Career Highlights: Finalist at Speedo Sectionals… IAAM third place in 50 Free and first place in 200 Free Relay… High school All-American in the 200 Free Relay and finished second in the 50 and 100 Frees at the National Catholic High School Championships… Multi-finalist at Richmond Sectionals in the 50, 100 and 200 Free and the 100 and 200 Fly… Futures qualifier in the 50, 100 and 200 Free and 100 and 200 Fly… In the Match, Science, and History Honor Societies.
“This class made positive impressions when visiting campus and meeting the team,” Pedersen continued. “They were effortless to host and seemed like they had been here for a semester, which is not easy to do in a 48-hour window. They will make impacts in areas of need and while they will immediately contribute, all of them are far from their potential ceilings which is very exciting. We can’t wait for them to arrive on campus in the fall!”
