Swimming and Diving Signs Six For 2008
12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 10, 2008
PITTSBURGH–University of Pittsburgh Head Swimming and Diving Coach Chuck Knoles announced the addition of five signees for the fall of 2009 and one signee for January of 2009. Joining the Panthers for the spring semester will be Otto Pagel. In August, the Panthers welcome Tori Alland, Luis Rodriguez, Liz Tabor, Yolandi Van Der Merwe and Maggie Walker.
“These six will make an immediate impact on the Panthers quest to return to the top of the Big East,” Knoles said. “With the signing of these athletes, our recruiting season is off to a tremendous start and we look forward to adding even more top-notch swimmers to our roster during the spring.”
The first to compete for the Panthers will be Pagel, who will arrive on campus in January from Neubrandenburg, Germany and will immediately impact the Panthers’ sprint group. He has competed only briefly in his native Germany. His best times include a 24.24 in the long course 50-meter free, 52.09 in the 100 and 1:56.22 in the 200 free.
“Otto is a relative newcomer to the world of swimming,” commented Knoles. “In the two short years he has been swimming, he has made unbelievable strides. With his size, he will end up being a major force for the Panthers in the coming years.”
Also joining the men’s team, Rodriguez joins the Panthers in the fall from nearby Wexford, Pa. He is extremely well-rounded and will be counted on to add depth to the Panthers’ butterfly corps. Rodriguez finished fifth at the Pennsylvania state meet in the 100 fly as a junior. His best times in the fly events are 51.38 in the 100 and 1:52 in the 200. He is also a junior national qualifier.
“Luis has developed into one of the top butterflyers in the state,” added Knoles. “We are so excited that he chose to stay close to home to continue his swimming career.”
On the women’s side, Alland joins the Panthers from Buffalo Grove, Ill. She has advanced to the finals at the Illinois state meet the past three years, and is a junior and senior national qualifier. This past summer, Alland placed in the finals at the sectional meet with a 2:07 in the 200-meter free and a 4:26 in the 400-meter free. She has also recorded a 1:52 finish in the 200-yard free.
“Tori is a phenomenal middle-distance athlete, who is really coming in to her own,” said Knoles. “We look forward to her contributing to the Panthers in all of the freestyle events.”
Tabor, from West Chester, Ohio, will be a huge asset to the Pitt distance group. She has been a finalist at the Ohio state meet for three years and is a sectional and junior national qualifier. Her best times are 1:54 in the 200 free, five minutes flat in the 500 free and 10:19 in the 1,000 free.
“Liz has a great attitude and personality, and has a great training background,” commented Knoles. “She fits right in with our girls, and with her combination of attitude and work ethic, she is going to be a phenomenal collegiate swimmer.”
Van Der Merwe joins the Panthers from Somerset West, South Africa. She is a member of South Africa’s National Open Water team and has also been a member of South Africa’s National Swimming team. She placed fourth in the 100 breast, seventh in the 200 breast and eighth in the 200 IM at the 2008 South African National Championships. Her best times are 2:06 in the 200-meter free, 4:27 in the 400-meter free, 1:13 in the 100-meter breast and 2:38 in the 200-meter breast.
“Yolandi is a tremendous athlete who can swim anything,” noted Knoles. “We were very impressed when we saw her compete at the South African Nationals, and are excited that she has chosen to become a Panther. She will make an immediate impact to our program and the Big East conference.”
Walker joins the Panthers from McMurray, Pa. She is one of the top sprinters in the state as she qualified for senior nationals this past summer with a 26.7 in the 50-meter free. She was also fifth in the 100 free at the 2008 state meet. Her best times are 24.0 in the 50-yard free and 51.8 in the 100-yard free.
“Maggie had an awesome summer of training with our club team,” stated Knoles. “She ended up making her first senior national cut in the 50 free. We know she is going to continue to improve and be successful for the Panthers.
“I am extremely pleased with the athletes we were able to sign early,” Knoles continued. “Our goal is to work our way to the top of the Big East conference which will in turn help us to excel on the national level. With 28 Big East Conference Championships, there is great tradition here at Pitt to be the best. These athletes will help us take huge steps to get back on top. We look forward to their arrival and helping the Panthers continue on their journey to return to the top of the conference.”
Players Mentioned
