Swimming and Diving Signs 11 to National Letters of Intent
12/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Dec. 8, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State swimming and diving head coach Matt Gianiodis announced the signing of a total of 11 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The four men and seven women will enroll at MSU in the fall of 2012.
"We feel pretty fortunate to get all four boys," said Gianiodis. "They are all very good students and they fit the Spartan profile. They are all ready to be very successful in East Lansing. On the women's side, we feel like we have a pretty comprehensive, versatile class. Each one can swim multiple events. On top of that, they are all very good students as well."
Below is a breakdown of each signee in alphabetical order.
Chelsea Abbott (Birmingham, Mich.) Abbott is coming to MSU after her high school team finished second at the Division II State meet in Michigan. Abbott was a state finalist in the 200 IM and 500 free, as well as a part of her team's 4x100 free relay.
Gianiodis on Abbott: "Chelsea is someone who fits the profile of a Spartan perfectly. She's coming off a great season at Seaholm High School with teammate Emily Parsons and we look for her to contribute to our success next year. "
Marina Borri (Farmington Hills, Mich.) Borri made her mark this summer swimming at finals in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes at Y-Nationals at Georgia Tech. Trained under Coach Rich Bennetts at FFYS, Borri has made a name for herself as one of the best breaststroke swimmers in the state.
Gianiodis on Borri: "Marina almost jumped through the phone when she told me she was going to be a Spartan. I look forward to her bringing that excitement along with her breaststroke talent to our program."
Kelsey Buese (Louisville, Ky.) Buese comes to MSU as the reigning Kentucky high school champion in the 500-yard freestyle the last two years, and her high school, Sacred Heart Academy, has won the state title the last three years. Buese's achievements will help her transition easily into the collegiate level.
Gianiodis on Buese: "Kelsey is a great distance swimmer who comes from one of the top club teams in the country, at Lakeside Seahawks under Coach Deboor. We look for her to continue that success next year as a part of the MSU program."
Jacob Cook (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Cook joins the Spartans from Fort Wayne, Ind., where he swam for head coach Chad Englehart at Homestead High School, as well as SWAC swim club. Cook has shown his range of success in the breast, IM, and sprint free events. Outside of the water, Cook brings in a strong academic background, and characteristics of a good leader.
Gianiodis on Cook: "Jacob is someone who has impressed us from our first conversation. He loves the traditions of our program and school spirit at Michigan State which makes him a perfect fit. Aside from all of his swimming accolades, he is someone who has the skills to become a leader of this team. "
Michelle Garland (Grayslake, Ill.) Garland comes to MSU after wrapping up a very successful senior high school season at Loyola Academy under Coach Michael Hengelmann where she placed third in both the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 IM. She was also a part of two relays that finished third and fourth in the state, respectively. She is now training with CATS Aquatic Club, which is also the club of former MSU swimmer/varsity record holder, Heather Kiluk.
Gianiodis on Garland: "Michelle continues our streak of recruiting strong swimmers from the Chicago area. We look for her to take the success she had at Loyola Academy and use it as a base at the Big Ten level."
Elizabeth Good (Winnetka, Ill.) Good is enjoying the recent success of her high school team's state title this fall. Good was a part of the New Trier High School's state championship team, swimming the butterfly and sprint freestyle events. She will use this win as motivation with her club team, NASA, to get her ready to be a part of the Spartan program next season.
Gianiodis on Good: "Elizabeth comes from a strong program at New Trier high school. She is a very talented in the butterfly stroke and we feel will only get better in the future as she develops here at MSU."
Jessika Hall (Liberty Township, Ohio) Hall comes to the Spartans from one of the most well-known and respected club teams, Mason Manta Rays, coached by Ken Heis. Hall has shown her range in events and will add depth to a number of races for the Spartans.
Gianiodis on Hall: "Along with her IM, Jessika is very strong in a number of events. She is a very dedicated individual who we believe is going to thrive in the college environment and our program."
Jake Moore (Dublin, Ohio) With only a few years of competitive swimming under his belt, Moore has already proven himself as a great sprinter. Moore had success this summer swimming with the Dublin Seadragons under David Kuck and is looking to carry that into his high school season for Dublin Jerome. He is looking to move up the rankings in Ohio swimming in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Gianiodis on Moore: "Jake has only been racing for a few years, and we were impressed when we had the chance to see him race this summer. With his physical size, and raw talent it will be exciting to see Jake compete at the next level."
Emily Parsons (Tory, Mich.) Along with high school teammate Chelsea Abbott, Parsons is also enjoying the recent accolades from her high school season. Being a finalist in both sprint freestyle events as well as relays, Parsons has proven to be a competitor in and out of the water having competed for the Seaholm girl's soccer team the past few seasons as well.
Gianiodis on Parsons: "Emily is a talented sprinter that will only get better in college. Emily and Chelsea come from an area in the state where we have had a lot of success and Emily will be able to do that right away on our sprint relays."
Ian Rodriguez (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) Rodriguez will join the list of swimmers from the Chicago area as the Spartan swimming and diving team continues to have more and more success with athletes from Illinois. Under Coach Mary Ruffin of the Arlington Alligators, Rodriguez has enjoyed recent accomplishments in the backstroke events at the state and national level.
Gianiodis on Rodriguez: "Ian is someone we're very excited about and we believe he has a lot of upside. His sister, Erin, has had a lot of success at the U of Illinois, and we truly believe Ian will surprise a lot of people. He is a real diamond in the rough."
Nate Weeks (Naperville, Ill.) Weeks comes to MSU from Naperville, Illinois. Weeks will add depth in multiple events including the 200 IM, 100-yard butterfly, and 100-yard breaststroke. Weeks currently trains under Mark Townsend at Maverick Swim Club, and during the high school season competes for Naperville Central under long-time head coach Mike Adams.
Gianiodis on Weeks: "Nate comes from a powerhouse high school program and understands what it takes to compete at the next level. The versatility he has as a swimmer will help him make an immediate impact on our team."
Players Mentioned
