University of Houston Adds Three Swimmers To 2020-21 Signing Class

Courtesy: Houston Athletics

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Swimming & Diving program and Head Coach Ryan Wochomurka are happy to announce the signing of Marina Ortega Bonilla, Thais Bideau and Laura Garcia Marin to National Letters of Intent for the 2020-21 season.

The Cougar signing class grows to 14 with the signing of a trio of international talent from France and Spain.

“We are very excited to add Laura, Mai and Thais to our roster for 2020. I believe all three have the ability to add immediate firepower for dual meets and be very competitive at The American and the NCAA level. What is most exciting is that they are all tremendous people that understand are excited about the culture here at the University of Houston. Go Coogs!”

COMPLETE SIGNING CLASS

MARINA ORTEGA BONILLA | MADRID, SPAIN
Marina will join the Cougars following a decorated career in her home country of Spain. Bonilla competed at the Spain Championships, earning five podium finishes, including a trio of first-place finishes in the 200 Individual Medley, 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke. She swam for Gredos San Diego along with fellow signee, Laura Garcia Marin.

Ortega Bonilla’s Best Times:

• 200 free – 2:02.87 (LCM), 2:01.32 (SCM)
• 400 free – 4:15.31 (LCM), 4:12.72 (SCM)
• 800 free – 8:47.56 (LCM), 8:37.51 (SCM)
• 200 IM – 2:19.87 (LCM), 2:16.82 (SCM)
• 400 IM – 4:53.65 (LCM), 4:45.12 (SCM)

THAIS BIDEAU | LYCEE BREQUIGNEY | RENNES, FRANCE
Bideau will join the Cougars after a decorated high school career in France. Bideau was a B and C Finalist at the French Nationals during both the 2018-19 seasons, as well as a vice champion in the 100 Butterfly in 2017. Both of her parents swam for the French National team.

Bideau’s Best Times:

• 100 fly – 1:02.28 (LCM), 1:01.88 (SCM)
• 200 fly – 2:20.76 (LCM), 2:17.90 (SCM)

LAURA GARCIA MARIN | MADRID, SPAIN
Laura will come to Houston from Madrid, Spain where she swam alongside fellow signee Marina Ortega Bonilla. Marin has had valuable swimming experience, competing in the Freestyle at the European Championships (2019), the World Junior Championships (2019), the European Youth Olympic Games (2017) and the Spanish Championships.

Garcia Marin’s Best Times:

• 200 IM – 2:19.12 (LCM), 2:15.59 (SCM)
• 400 IM – 4:52.54 (LCM, 4:44.32 (SCM)
• 100 FL – 1:02.79 (LCM)
• 200 FL – 2:17.88 (LCM)