Courtesy: Pepperdine Athletics
Malibu, Calif. — Pepperdine swimming and diving Head Coach Ellie Monobe announced the arrival of 10 newcomers to the team on Friday.
“I am thrilled and excited to announce the incoming class for 2021,” Monobe said. “After such an unusual year I am incredibly pleased with our efforts and think that this group of women possess all the characteristics of a successful Division 1 student-athlete.”
The class of newcomers includes nine swimmers and one diver — including one grad transfer — hailing from five different states. All told, the incoming class will help bolster a Pepperdine squad that most recently finished five points short of winning its first-ever Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference title.
“For us, it was about finding the right cultural fit with a desire to continually strive for greatness,” Monobe said of the recruitment process. “I believe each of these athletes will make an immediate impact on our program.”
Here is an overview of Pepperdine’s new recruits:
Alexandra Browne
Arlington, Va. | Washington-Liberty HS | Arlington Aquatics Club
Specializes in sprint freestyle and breaststroke … Holds Washington-Liberty HS program records in the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay … Named team MVP in three out of her four years … Helped Washington-Liberty HS place in the top-6 at the VHSL 6A State …. In club, qualified for NCSA Junior Nationals … Older brother Putnam swam for UC Santa Barbara, and her older sister Francesca rowed for the Naval Academy.
Browne says: “I chose Pepperdine because of the prestigious academics and biology program, the motivational and friendly atmosphere on the swim team, the religious aspects and of course the location! I hope to accomplish four amazing years where I succeed academically and athletically and make friends for life!”
Jessica Calderoni
Los Altos, Calif. | Sacred Heart Preparatory | Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics
Specializes in the mid-distance freestyle and the IM … Ends her career as one of the top 20 swimmers in Sacred Heart Preparatory history … Qualified for the CIF Central Coast Section Championships in all four years … Helped Sacred Heart Preparatory place fourth at the 2019 CIF Central Coast Section Championships as a sophomore … Was part of a high school program that won 11-straight WBAL league titles.
Calderoni says: “I chose Pepperdine because it provides me the perfect opportunities to meet my future goals in and out of the pool. It has an amazing curriculum to help me on my pre-dentistry journey while I am supported by an amazing team. Coach Ellie’s motivation creates a great bond with all girls on the team that I can’t wait to swim with for the next four years.”
Evergreen, Colo. | Evergreen HS | Florida State
Specializes in the 100 and 200 backstroke … Prior to Pepperdine, swam for Florida State for three years … A three-time All ACC Academic team selection whilst at Florida State … Placed second in the 200 backstroke at the Auburn Invite as a junior … Was a three-time Auburn Invite A finalist … Swam a 55.74 in the 100 back at the Auburn Invite as a junior … In high school, helped Evergreen (Colo.) HS win two 4A state titles … Placed second at the CHSAA State Championships in the 100 backstroke as a junior, then third as a senior while also placing third in the 100 fly … Swam on Evergreen’s school-record-setting 200 medley relay team … In club, swam for JeffCo Hurricanes and qualified for junior nationals in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Coughlin says: “The success and growth of the swim team really drew me to the program. Along with athletics, the prestige of Pepperdine’s academics, its graduate school location in Malibu make Pepperdine the full package. I look forward to capping off my swim career on a high note and contributing to the continuing success of the team!”
Lexie Deitemeyer
Golden, Colo. | Golden HS | University of Denver Hilltoppers
Specializes in butterfly and sprinting events … Qualified for the CHSAA 4A State Championships in all four years … Best finish at the state meet was eighth in the 100 fly as a junior and as a senior … Helped Golden HS to top-10 finishes in the 400 free relay as a sophomore and as a senior … Earned All-Conference awards in the 100 fly in her sophomore, junior and senior years … In club, helped TOPS win junior national champions in the 400 medley relay …. Competed at sectional meets and was a futures qualifier … Also lettered in soccer and track … Her mother was on the diving team at Colorado State University.
Deitemeyer says: “I was very impressed by the academics offered by Pepperdine, and the coaching staff was incredible throughout the recruiting process. I am excited to major in sports medicine and make an impact on the swimming program at Pepperdine. Of course, I can’t wait for life in Malibu too!”
Lindsay Hemming
Orinda, Calif. | Miramonte HS | Orinda Aquatics
Specializes in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, plus mid-distance freestyle … Swam top-10 times in Miramonte HS history in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 medley relay … Helped Miramonte HS place eighth in the 400 free relay at the 2018 CIF State Swimming and Diving Championships as a freshman … Was a North Coast Section consolation finalist in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 medley relay … Earned All-DAL League Honorable Mention honors as a freshman in 2018 … Named to the North Coast Section CIF President’s list … In club, helped Orinda Aquatics place seventh at Speedo Sectionals … Her twin brother, Greg, will play rugby at the University of California next year.
Hemming says: “The location and the great academics drew me to Pepperdine, as well as Ellie Monobe. She was the exact coach I was looking for, and I am very excited to work with her. I wish to be an extraordinary member of the Waves swim and dive team and help them win conference next year!”
Lauren Hicks
Mesa, Ariz. | Red Mountain HS | Mesa Aquatics Club
Specializes in the sprint and mid-distance breaststroke and freestyle, plus the IM … Holds the Red Mountain HS school records in the 200 medley and 200 free relays, plus ranks second all-time in the 100 breaststroke … Helped Red Mountain place third at the 2020 AIA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships as a junior … Named her team’s Most Valuable Swimmer for the 2020 season as a junior … In club, helped Mesa Aquatics Club place sixth at the 2019 4C Speedo Sectionals … Also helped Mesa Aquatics Club place second at the 2019 AZSI SC Senior Open Championships …
Hicks says: “I was drawn to the community at Pepperdine. Pepperdine is full of lighthearted and fun-loving people. I also liked the idea of meeting many people with different backgrounds and perspectives.”
Lexie Martin
Keller, Texas | Keller HS | GC Divers
Says twisters are her favorite category in diving because “they up my difficulty and come naturally to me after my time in gymnastics.” … Was a three-time All 5-6A District and Regional Team selection … Earned varsity letters in all four years … Helped Keller HS win the 2021 Region 1 6A Championships and place fifth at the 6A State Championships as a senior … Was her varsity diving team’s co-captain in 2020-21 … In club, dove for the GC Divers, the second-ranked club diving team in the nation … Qualified for AAU Nationals in 2018 and 2020-21, plus was a Red, White and Blue Nationals qualifier in 2018.
Martin says: “The prestigious academics and close-knit religious community drew me to Pepperdine. I hope to help contribute to the team to win conference after they came so close this past season!”
Eleanor Mashkovich
Calabasas, Calif. | Westlake HS | CCAT Swimming
Specializes in the sprint freestyle events and also the 100 fly … Was a CIF and State finalist … Helped Westlake women’s swimming win a Marmonte League title as a sophomore in 2019 … In club, qualified for sectionals, Junior Olympics and was a futures qualifier … Was a team captain on Westlake’s swim team as a senior … Also works as a lifeguard for the City of Calabasas … Enjoys baking, volunteering and reading horror novels in her spare time.
Mashkovich says: “Pepperdine immediately caught my attention due to its amazing D1 swim program and academics. I am an aspiring entertainment lawyer, and I am majoring in political science and minoring in media. Athletically, I wish to establish myself as a strong swimmer and win a conference title as well as help my team in the process of winning overall.”
Emma Purdy
Truckee, Calif. | Truckee HS | Truckee Tahoe Swim Team/Lakeridge Swim Team
Specializes in the sprint freestyle events and also the 100 fly … Won NIAA 3A state titles in the 50 and 100-yard free as a sophomore in 2019 … Named the 2019 Nevada 3A Swimmer of the Year as a sophomore … Swam on Truckee HS’s 200 free relay teams that won back-to-back 3A state titles in 2018 and 2019 … Helped Truckee (Nev.) HS place second at the 3A NIAA state meet as a sophomore in 2019 … Was a Junior Nationals relay qualifier in club … Won Distinguished Scholar awards all four years.
Purdy says: “I was drawn to Pepperdine because of their incredible dedication to supporting their students in achieving their academic and athletic goals. As a Wave, I hope to make a contribution at the conference meet and bring positive energy to the team.”
Brooke Simpson
Austin, Texas | James Bowie HS | Austin Swim Club
Specializes in breaststroke, but also the IM and mid-distance free/fly … Helped James Bowie HS’s 200 medley relay team place fourth at the 2020 UIL 6A Swimming and Diving State Meet as a junior … Qualified for the UIL meet three times … Placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke at the regional race in three consecutive seasons … In club, was a Southern Texas Zones qualifier and finalist … Was also a futures qualifier … Helped Austin Swim Club win futures in 2019 … Also a member of the National Honors Society.
Simpson says: “I wanted a school that was going to provide me with the best education as well as a team that could help me achieve my goals and would support me through it all. Pepperdine has been of interest to me for a long time and I have never really been able to deviate from it. I have a tremendous amount of comfort in knowing that I am going to have an amazing college experience where I can grow in and out of the pool, and continue to explore my education and relationship with God.”
