University of Wisconsin swimming and diving head coach Whitney L. Hite announced that nine high school seniors have all signed national letters of intent to attend the University of Wisconsin and compete for the Badgers’ swim and dive program beginning in the fall of 2014.
“We feel really good about both the men’s and women’s incoming classes,” Hite said. “Not necessarily big names, but I really believe each of these signees can come in and score in multiple events for us at the Big Ten meet and have an impact at the NCAA championships.”
Joining the women’s squad:
HANNAH JAMES (Punta Gorda, Fla.)
A native of Punta Gorda, Fla., James was the 2013 Florida state runner up in the 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100-yard butterfly. In 2012, she placed third in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle races at the Florida high school state meet. Hannah also competed at the 2013 NCSA Summer Junior Nationals, where she placed fourth in four events: the 800-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly, 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly. At the 2013 YMCA National Championships, James was fifth in the 200-yard butterfly. She is also former teammates with current Badgers swimmer, Nick Caldwell, and is considered one of the top swimmers out of the state of Florida.
Whitney Hite on James: “Hannah will have a tremendous impact on the mid-distance and freestyle events, which is a huge area of need for us.
“We’re looking forward to her coming in and making an impact from day one.”
EMMA BARE (Fort Atkinson, Wis.)
A Fort Atkinson, Wis., native, Bare is the 2013 state runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke. In 2011, she broke the Wisconsin high school state record in the 100-yard breaststroke. A three-sport athlete, Emma also plays basketball and runs track for Fort Atkinson High School and is a member of one of the fastest 1600 meter relay times in school history.
Whitney Hite on Bare: “She’s an in-state girl with huge upside. She’s play basketball and also runs track so to be a three-sport athlete and choose to swim at the next level, her athletic background will really help us.
“We’re really excited to have her come in and contribute right away.”
MARISSA BERG (Monticello, Wis.)
A USA Junior National qualifier in the 50 free, Berg swims with the Green County Golden Gators YMCA. The Monticello, Wis., native also plays volleyball, basketball and softball for her high school, which does not have a swim team. She is a three-time all-conference player and player of the year and MVP in her conference senior year in volleyball. Marissa is a four-year starter and first team all-conference selection for her basketball team and an all-conference catcher for her softball team.
Whitney Hite on Berg: “Marissa is a four-sport athlete and another in-state kid that we’re really excited about.
“She’s just scratching the surface as a sprint freestyler and we really think between Emma (Bare) and her we got two steals as far as the potential of what they can do.
SOLVEIG VIREN (Bovey, Minn.)
The Bovey, Minn., native is the 2012 Minnesota State Champion in the 100-yard freestyle. Viren was also state runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle for two consecutive years (2012-13) and 2013 state runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle. A two-sport athlete, Viren has also qualified for state in cross country skiing since eighth grade and is currently number one in her graduating class at Grand Rapids High School.
Whitney Hite on Viren: “Solveig is a sprinter that I don’t think a lot of people know about and by the time she leaves here everyone is going to know who she is.
“Again, a lot of potential and that’s the exciting part about picking up someone like Solveig, is being able to watch her get better and get faster.”
Joining the men’s squad:
MAX DOLAN (Southbury, Conn.)
A Southbury, Conn., native, Dolan placed third in the 400-yard IM at the 2013 YMCA National Championships and 18th in the 400-meter IM at the 2013 USA Junior Nationals. Dolan is the current captain of his club team, the Wilton Wahoos, the 2013 YMCA National champions. He has also dropped 10 seconds in his 400-yard IM in one year and 12 seconds in his 400-meter IM time. Dolan also serves as an Athlete Representative for Connecticut Swimming Review Board.
Whitney Hite on Dolan: “Really sharp young man — he’s one of those guys who stands out when you first meet him and he certainly has made a good impression on us.
“In the pool, he has made some really big jumps time-wise. I think he’s someone who could help us in the 400 IM and 200 IM and some strokes so very versatile.”
MICHAEL HALL (Minnetonka, Minn.)
A native of Minnetonka, Minn., Hall finished 14th at the 2013 USA Diving National Championships in the quarterfinals of the 16-18-year-old Boys Platform event. Hall went on to finish 12th in the finals of the 2013 USA Diving Summer Junior Zone C Championships.
UW diving coach Anton Slobonouv on Hall: “We are excited to have Michael join our team next fall.
“He brings a great personality and national diving experience to our program. We are confident in his ability to make a strong impact on our men’s team at the Big Ten championships as well as NCAA’s. “
TODD MCCARTHY (Bellevue, Wash.)
The Bellevue, Wash., native was the 2013 Washington state champion in the 200-yard freestyle and runner-up in the 100-yard backstroke. McCarthy competed at the PNS Long Course Championships, where he placed first in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke and third in the 200-meter freestyle. He is also a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All American.
Whitney Hite on McCarthy: “We feel like Todd is going to be a guy to come in and really explode in this program.
“He’s already got a big frame and when he adds strength his potential becomes even greater.”
NATHAN MUELLER (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
A native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mueller took second in the 500-yard freestyle and third in the 200-yard freestyle at the Colorado high school state meet. Mueller also dropped nearly 10 seconds in his 500 free from sophomore to junior year at Thunder Ridge High School. He is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and vice president of his high school’s student body.
Whitney Hite on Mueller: “Nathan and Todd (Mueller) will be good training mates for four years.
“To accomplish the times that he’s swam in Colorado is impressive and he’s another big kid who we think will come in and really shine here.”
RYAN STACK (Kailua, Hawaii)
A five-time Hawaii high school state champion, Stack holds the state record in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle races. The Kailua, Hawaii, native was also captain of the Kamehameha High School swim team.
Whitney Hite on Stack: “Anytime you can get a state record holder and a state champion it’s impressive.
“Being from Hawaii he’s very familiar with the water and we believe he can come in and improve and make an impact in the sprint events.”
This release was provide to SwimSwam courtesy of University of Wisconsin swimming and diving.
5 dollars says the Hawaii kid does not last in Wisconsin. If for no other reason than going from some of the best weather in the world to the worst should be impossible.
I think he’ll stay.
Brett Philipps grew up in Hawaii and swam all 4 years in Madison.
Max is a great kid and easily one of the hardest working swimmers I’ve ever met. The sky’s the limit on his potential.
I met Max Dolan at Junior Nationals in California this past summer, congratulated him on an outstanding week and just started talking. Great kid, great personality (very funny), very versatile swimmer, and has no where but up to go. No pun intended, Max is a monstrous boy, has to be 6’4 210lbs jacked. All in all Wisconsin picked up an outstanding swimmer who will make jaws drop next year when hes in the water, but a really good guy as well. Outstanding choice
Nathan Mueller was a hell of catch for Wisconsin. He has tremendous upside.