Courtesy: SIU Athletics
CARBONDALE, Ill. —Southern Illinois University swimming and diving head coach Geoff Hanson announced the addition of 27 student-athletes for the 2021-22 season on Thursday. The 27 newcomers hail from 15 different states and four different countries, of which three are transfers.
“We’re super excited about everyone we have coming in,” said Hanson. “One the men’s side, we tripled the size of our diving team, and we feel like the three swimmers can make an impact right away. The women’s side has a lot of depth. We have some top scorers that are going to be a part of relays right away and be a part of our conference scoring. We’re looking forward to getting them here and getting them acclimated. Once we get underway, it’s a really quality class that’s going to help us keep progressing.”
Men’s
Alex Brodsky
Rochester, New York
Mauldin High School
Personal Bests
200 Back — 1:47
Alex Brodsky comes to Carbondale from Mauldin High School. Brodsky’s 200 Backstroke time is a USA Swimming Summer Nationals cut. He plans on majoring in Architecture. Alex’s parents are Christine and Matt Brodsky
Selim Hassan
Cairo, Egypt
American International School in Egypt
Personal Bests
200 IM LCM — 2:10
400 IM LCM — 4:37
200 Fly LCM — 2:08
200 Breast LCM — 2:28
Hailing from Cairo, Egypt, Selim Hassan joins the Salukis with a career that is already highly decorated. Hassan is a 44-time Cairo provincial medalist, and 32-time national medalist, and a 2-time junior Arab champion. Hassan intends on majoring in Business Management. Selim is the son of Mohamed Mokhtar and Reham Abdelsalam.
Lee Haywood
Greencastle, Ind.
South Putnam High School
Personal Bests
1 Meter 6 Dive Score — 327.7
11 Dive Score — 562.15
A diver from Greencastle, Ind., Haywood was an Indiana High School State Championship qualifier for all four years of high school. Haywood broke his own South Putnam High School 6- and 11-meter dive record multiple times over his high school career, and was a National Finalist for USA and AAU Diving. Haywood’s parents are Edward and Jana Haywood. He intends to major in Biomedical Engineering at SIU.
Brandon Michna
Deer Park, Texas
Deer Park High School
Personal Bests
100 Breast — 56.23
200 Breast — 2:04.1
200 Free — 1:43.13
Brandon Michna comes to Carbondale by way of Deer Park, Texas. The Deer Park High School product has taken third place at the Texas State Championships, and has been a Junior National qualifier. Intending to major in Mechanical Engineering, Brandon is the son of Robert and Jennifer Michna.
Rodrigo Olalde
Mexico City, Mexico
UNAM
Personal Bests
1 Meter Dive — 397.53
3 Meter Dive — 455.20
Hailing from Mexico City, Mexico, Rodrigo Olalde is an accomplished diver with international experience. Olalde has competed in Mexico’s Olimpiada Nacional since the age of nine. At the age of 11 he went to his first Pan-American competition, and at the age of 15 won bronze in a Grand Prix in Canada. The son of Olga Olalde, Rodrigo plans to major in Business Management.
Women’s
Jules Atkinson
Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
Mt. Juliet High School
Personal Bests
100 Fly — 57.46
200 Fly — 2:06.38
200 IM — 2:09.65
400 IM — 4:34.45
Jules Atkinson comes to Carbondale from Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Atkinson has previously qualified for the Southeastern Swimming Zone team and has placed second in the 200 Fly LCM at the Southern Zone age group championships. Atkinson has also qualified for multiple events and the Futures Championship meet and NCSA Championship meet. A Nursing major, Atkinson’s parents are Eric and Hannah Atkinson.
Brianna Bergmann
Bloomington, Ill.
Normal Community High School
Personal Bests
400 IM — 4:39.66
200 Fly — 2:12.05
200 Breast — 2:31.81
Brianna Bergmann heads south to Carbondale after a solid career at Normal Community High School. A competitor in high school sectionals for all four years of her high school career, Bergmann has placed third in the 100 Fly at the event, and helped her high school team win sectionals in 2017. Bergmann also took 12th place in the 400 IM at the Illinois LCM Senior State meet in 2019. Bergmann’s parents are Carmen and John Bergmann. Brianna intends on majoring in Marketing.
Olivia Brunet
Gonzales, La.
St. Amant High School
Personal Bests
50 Free — 25.31
200 Free — 2:00.24
500 Free — 5:27.42
A Freestyle specialist from Gonzales, La., Olivia Brunet was a state qualifier for all 4 years of her high school career. This includes an eighth place finish in the 1000 freestyle in 2021. Brunet has also placed second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 500 freestyle at the High School CCSL Championship. The daughter of Cynthia and Scott Brunet, Olivia plans on being a Health Science major.
Teigen Detta
Bellingham, Wash.
Mount Baker High School
Personal Bests
100 Free — 52.68
100 Back — 57.67
200 Free — 1:54.62
Teigen Detta joins the Salukis by way of Mount Baker High School in Bellingham, Wash. A previous Futures qualifier, Detta plans on majoring in Physiology. Detta’s parents are Brent and Renata Detta.
Morgan Dietzel
Burlington, Wis.
Burlington High School
Personal Bests
200 Back — 2:05.08
100 Back — 58.09
100 Free — 55.18
Morgan Dietzel joins the Saluki swimming and diving program after a career at Burlington High School in Burlington, Wis. A future Nursing major, Dietzel is the daughter of Tamara and Jeff Dietzel.
Nour Eleish
Cairo, Egypt
The British International School, Cairo
Personal Bests
50 Free LCM — 27.7
100 Free LCM — 1:02.5
One of three Saluki recruits from the Egyptian capital of Cairo, Nour Eleish only started swimming at age 14, after originally being a tennis player. A future Political Science major, Eleish was a multiple time 18U National Champion in both the 50- and 100-Freestyle, as well as a multiple time Cairo champion in the 50- and 100-Freestyle, as well as the 50-Fly. Eleish’s parents are Mohamed Eleish and Hala El Badawy.
Addy Foreman
Midland, Texas
Midland High School
Personal Bests
200 Back — 2:06.78
100 Back — 1:00.34
200 Fly — 2:12.14
100 Fly — 1:01.39
Addy Foreman comes to Carbondale from Midland High School in Midland, Texas. Foreman has been a sectionals and state qualifier, as well as a qualifier for the ISCA Junior Nationals. Foreman is the daughter of Christine and Kevin Foreman, and plans on majoring in Nursing.
Grace Gray
Lakeville, Minn.
Lakeville North High School
Personal Bests
100 Breast — 1:08.63
200 IM — 2:15.16
A native of Lakeville, Minn., Grace Gray was a Minnesota State qualifier in the 200 Medley Relay before the meet was canceled due to the pandemic. Gray was also a Finalist or Top 8 at the Section 1AA meet in all events in 2020; this included the 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 100 Breaststroke, and 4×100 Freestyle Relay. Gray is the daughter of David and Christine Gray, and plans on majoring in Aviation Flight and Management.
Meagan Kelley
Bartlett, Tenn.
Bartlett High School
Personal Bests
200 Back — 2:07.91
200 Fly — 2:12.71
400 IM — 4:37.19
Meagan Kelley joins the Salukis after competing in Tennessee’s high school state meet for all four years of her career at Bartlett High School. Bartlett gas also qualified for both the short. course and long course Southeasterns for the past 10 years, and has also been a Speedo Sectionals qualifier. The daughter of Tim and Caroline Kelley, Meagan plans on majoring in Nursing.
Ella Kerr
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Youngstown State
Personal Bests
100 Breast — 1:03.20
200 Breast — 2:17.20
One of three transfers in the 2021 signing class, Ella Kerr comes to Southern from Youngstown State, after taking third and fourth place finishes at the 2021 Horizon League Championships. A native of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, Kerr has also been a Canadian Olympic Trial qualifier, as well as a senior national swimmer. A Psychology major, Ella’s parents are Jenn and Derek Kerr.
Megan Mathers
Collierville, Tenn.
Veritas Scholars Academy
Personal Bests
500 Free — 5:16.32
200 Free — 1:57.84
100 Free — 54.57
Coming to Carbondale from Collierville, Tenn., Megan Mathers was a State qualifier for all four years of her career at Veritas Scholars Academy. This included a 13th place finish in the 200 Freestyle during her senior season. Mathers also qualified for and competed in the Southeastern Short Course Championships four times in her high school career, including an 8th place finish in the 1650 her freshman year. The daughter of Kimberley and Lorne Mathers, Megan plans on majoring in Nursing.
Meesha Montgomery
Salem, Ill.
Homeschooled
Personal Bests
200 IM — 2:07.19
400 IM — 4:32.11
100 Free — 52.54
50 Free — 24.06
A Southern Illinois native, Meesha Montgomery joins the Salukis from Salem, Ill. Montgomery has previously competed in the Open Water Junior Nationals. Meesha is the daughter of Alan and Melinda Montgomery, and intends on majoring in Psychology as well as minoring in Neuroscience.
Farida Moussa
Cairo, Egypt
Smart Village School
Personal Best
10 Meter — 269.7/387
A diver from Cairo, Egypt, Farida Moussa joins the Salukis with national competition experience. Moussa placed second on the 10-meter platform at Senior Nationals, and previously achieved the Best Junior Player Cup at Junior Nationals. A Civil Engineering major, Moussa is the daughter of Adel Moussa and Rania El Sherif.
Keely Ohlhauser
Keller, Texas
Keller High School
Personal Bests
200 IM — 2:10.67
100 Breast — 1:08.20
200 Breast — 2:27.99
400 IM — 4:37.07
Keely Ohlhauser comes to Southern Illinois from Keller, Texas. In her career at Keller High School, Ohlhauser helped her team advance to 6A State in both the 200- and 400-Free Relay. Ohlhauser also finished in the Top-8 in both the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke at 1-6A Regionals in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Keely is the daughter of Stephanie and Tory Ohlhauser and plans on majoring in Marketing.
Apryl Paquette
Land O’ Lakes, Fla.
Land O’ Lakes High School
Personal Best
200 Free — 1:54.85
Apryl Paquette joins the Salukis from Land O’ Lakes High School in Land O’ Lakes, Fla. Paquette has previously achieved an 8th place finish in the 200 Freestyle at the 3A State High School meet. A Civil Engineering major, Apryl is the daughter of Michael and Stacy Paquette.
Drew Penick
Louisville, Ky.
Assumption High School
Personal Bests
400 IM — 4:31.23
500 Free — 5:05.15
200 Breast — 2:26.19
100 Breast — 1:06.71
A Louisville, Ky. native, Drew Penick comes to Carbondale having already been a Kentucky state champion in the 200 Medley Relay. Penick also a 2nd place finish in the 400 Freestyle, as well as Top-5 finishes in both the 500 Freestyle and 400 IM. Penick also charted seven Top-10 finished in the short course Kentucky State Championship meet. Penick intends on majoring in Nursing. Drew’s parents are Andy and Lisa Penick.
Celia Pulido
Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
ENMSCHL
Personal Bests
50 Back LCM — 29.04
100 Back LCM — 1:02.74
200 Back LCM — 2:17.02
Celia Pulido brings experience in international competition to the Salukis. Pulido competed at the Pan-American Games and FINA World Junior Swimming Championship in 2019, as well as the South American Championship in 2021. Pulido also competed at the Mare Nostrum swimming tour in 2019 and 2021, as well as at the Mexican nationals. Pulido is an Exercise Science major and is the daughter of Rafael Pulido Rubio and Rocio Ortiz Ahumada.
Jasmine Rau
Tulsa, Okla.
Jenks High School
Personal Bests
100 Fly — 55.13
100 Free — 52.59
50 Free — 24.26
Jasmine Rau comes to Carbondale a recent state champion, having taken first place the 100 Butterfly her senior year. Other accomplishments from her career at Jenks High School include winning the 200 Medley Relay her junior year, as well as the 400 Free Relay in both her junior and senior years. Rau helped Jenks High School to the state titles in both her junior and senior years, as well. A 16-time state qualifier, Rau also qualified for junior nationals in the 100 Butterfly. Rau plans on majoring in Biomedical Science. Jasmine’s parents are Dale and Hau Rau.
Ali Robertson
Sault Sainte Marie, Mich.
Sault Area High School
Personal Bests
100 Breast — 1:03.68
50 Free — 24.48
100 Free — 52.39
Ali Robertson joins Southern Illinois from Sault Sainte Marie in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Robertson finished her career at Sault Area High School undefeated. Ali’s parents are Shari and Todd Robertson, and she plans on majoring in Criminal Justice.
Mia Sinkiewicz
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Hilton Head Island High School
Personal Bests
100 Back — 59.47
200 Back — 2:07.17
200 IM — 2:10.24
A Hilton Head Island, S.C. native, Mia Sinkiewicz is a Hilton Head Island High School record holder in five swimming events, as well as one track and field event. An ISCA Senior Cup and Senior Sectionals qualifier, Sinkiewicz also helped lead her high school team to runner-up finishes at the SCHSL 4A State meet in 2018, 2019 and 2020. A Biology major in the Pre-Med track, Mia is the daughter of Dan and Marie Sinkiewicz.
Ana Tanda
Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
Universidad Anahuac Queretaro
Personal Bests
1500 Free SCM — 17:56.86
800 Free SCM — 9:24.70
400 Free LCM — 4:38.81
200 Free SCM — 2:11.43
100 Free SCM — 1:00.70
Ana Tanda transfers the Salukis from Universidad Anahuac Queretaro, having already competed in her native Mexico at the national level. Tanda has represented Guanajuato in national competitions 14 times since 2012, and has competed in the Olimpiada Nacional Juvenil seven times since 2013. Tanda has finished in the Top-15 at nationals seven times in the 400, 800 and 1500 events. Tanda plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Ana’s parents are Octavio Tanda and Laura Ocampo.
Kira Thomas
Truckee, Calif.
UT-Permian Basin
Personal Bests
1 Meter 11 Dive — 321
3 Meter 11 Dive — 313
Coming to the Salukis from the University of Texas-Permian Basin, Kira Thomas is one of three transfers in the 2021 signing class. Thomas was a 2019 NIAA High School State Champion. A Social Work major, Kira is the daughter of Beth and Chris Thomas.
