Dec. 13, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky swimming and diving coach Bill Powell has announced the signing of eight swimmers to National Letter-of-Intents during the fall signing period.
Powell signed seven females and one male during the early period. Angela Bennett, Audrey Barnard, Samantha Sawzak, Jennifer Johnson, Courtney Speedy, Veronick Cullen, and Megan Rames all signed on the dotted line to become Lady Toppers. Scott Chlasta was the lone signee for the men this fall.
Bennett, a senior at Clark High School in Las Vegas, Nev., holds seven school records including the 50, 100, 200, and 500 Freestyle events, the 100 Backstroke and 200 Individual Medley. The senior was the Swimmer of the Year at her school last season and first-team all-Conference. Bennett is also a solid student with a 4.5 G.P.A. on a four-point scale and is president of the school's National Honor Society club. She plans to major in English.
"Angela is an outstanding student and athlete," said Powell. "She will make an immediate contribution."
Barnard, of Central Baptist High School in Germantown, Tenn., has been an extremely successful swimmer on the club level. She won the 200 Individual Medley at the Southeastern Championships and was third in the 400 IM at the U.S. Sectionals. Barnard plans to major in fashion merchandising and fashion design.
"Audrey is a versatile swimmer, which allow us to move her around in several different events," said Powell. "She will be a major asset for WKU in the Individual Medley events."
From Hoover High School in Birmingham, Ala., Sawzak will add depth in the backstroke and sprint freestyle events. As a junior, she won both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke state championships. Sawzak is also an accomplished artist with several pieces of art placed in exhibitions.
"We have very high hopes for Samantha," said the Western coach. "Her height (6-1) is ideal for a backstroker. Samantha's potential is astronomical."
Johnson is a senior at Castle High School in Newburgh, Ind. and is one of the top prospects in the state after a strong showing at last season's USS State Championships. She has personal bests in the 200 Butterfly (2:03) and 200 Freestyle (1:51) that rank above the top swimmers on this year's squad. Johnson plans to major in special education.
"Jennifer is going to be a valuable asset to our program," said Powell. "She will have a shot at our school record in the 200 Butterfly as a freshman. We are very excited about the potential she has shown in high school."
Speedy is a middle distance freestyler at Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky. The senior reached the state finals last season as junior. Speedy plans to major in pre-med.
"Courtney will add depth to our team and can be a scorer in the conference meet as a freshman," said the WKU coach. "She has a great name for the world of swimming."
Cullen is Western's lone foreign signee in the early period and is a senior at St. Laurent High School in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. She is a member of the Canadian National team and is a solid butterflier and 200 freestyler.
"We are extremely high on Veronick," said Powell. "She already has times right at our school records and is a likely conference champion as a freshman."
Rames, a senior at Chattahoochie High School in Duluth, Ga., was a state finalist as junior and a top sprint freestyler. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and plans to major in physical therapy.
"Megan has good speed for the 50 and 100 Freestyle events, but can also stretch that speed to a solid 200," said Powell. "We look forward to her contribution to the team."
Chlasta, a senior at Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, Tenn., is one of the top backstrokers in the state. He comes from a swimming family in which his father is his high school coach and his uncle is his club coach.
"Scott is a big, strong kid who loves to swim," explained Powell. "As a 200 backstroker, he can come in as a freshman and add depth to our already strong backstroke corps."
