Nov. 19, 2013
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech swimming & diving head coach Courtney Shealy Hart announced the signing of eight student-athletes, who have committed to attend Georgia Tech and compete for the Yellow Jackets next season.
The class is comprised of seven swimmers and one diver, includes five females and three males, with six states represented, including three from Georgia.
“We’re obviously very excited to welcome in a class of this caliber,” said head coach Courtney Shealy Hart. “I want to thank my coaching staff for their tireless efforts to find student-athletes that are not only perfect for our swimming & diving program, but are great fits for the Institute.”
The women’s incoming class includes Kira deBruyn (Marietta, Ga./Walton HS), Ellen Posh (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights HS), Alex Rieger (Davis, Calif./Davis HS), MaryKathryn Terry (Atlanta, Ga./The Paideia School) and Megan Young (Woodstock, Ga./Etowah HS).
The men’s class includes Alex Kimpel (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek HS), Brad Oberg (Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS), Brian Woodbury (University Place, Wash./Curtis HS).
Kira deBruyn | IM, Breast, Free | Marietta, Ga./Walton HS
Coach Hart quote: “Kira is a great local swimmer who will come in and score in the individual medley events and is versatile enough to help us in many areas.”
Notes: Helped her high school team to Cobb County championships in 2012 and 2013… Is the two-time defending state champion in the 200 IM (2012 and 2013)… Holds the Walton school record in the 200 IM… Chattahoochee Gold Club age-group record holder in five events… NISCA All-America selection in 2011-12 and 2012-13… Was born in Pretoria, South Africa
Ellen Posch | Diving | Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights HS
Diving Coach John Ames quote: “Ellen will provide depth in the women’s diving program in all three events. Her main contribution will come in the platform event where she qualified for Jr. Nationals this past summer.”
Notes: USA Junior National qualifier on the platform in 2013… Three-time defending Lake Erie League diving champion in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Alex Rieger | Sprint Free, Back | Davis, Calif./Davis HS
Coach Hart quote: “Alex is a California native who will instantly help us in sprint events and relays. We are looking forward to seeing what she can do for our program.”
Notes: Has helped Davis High to sectional championships in both her sophomore and junior seasons… Earned All-America honors in the 50 free and on both the 200 free and 200 medley relays in 2012 and 2013… Is a Junior National qualifier.
MaryKathryn Terry | Sprint Free | Atlanta, Ga./The Paideia School
Coach Hart quote: “She’s a top local sprinter who will add depth to our young sprint program. MaryKathryn is a third-generation Yellow Jacket.”
Notes: She is a three-time swimming team MVP at The Paideia School… Holds school records in six individual events and all relays… Was part of Dynamo Swim Club’s NCSA Junior National Championship team in 2013… Both her father and grandfather graduated from Georgia Tech
Megan Young | Back | Woodstock, Ga./Etowah HS
Coach Hart quote: “We are so happy to be keeping a local girl with Megan’s talent in the backstroke events. She will make an immediate impact on our program.”
Notes: Finished second in the GHSA State Championship in the 100 back… Earned All-America and All-State honors in 2012… A three-time All-County selection… Holds Etowah’s school records in four individual events and two relays.
Alex Kimpel | Breast, IM | Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek HS
Coach Hart quote: “Alex is a breaststroker from Florida who will immediately be among our top 200 breaststrokers and has the potential to help in 100 breaststroke and IM right away.”
Notes: Won the 200 breast in 2012 and 2013 at the Florida Swimming Senior Championships… Named his high school’s MVP in 2013… Two-time Scholastic All-American… A four-time Junior National qualifier… 2012 FHSAA State 3A runner-up in the 100 breast… Won multiple Region, District and Conference titles in the 100 and 200 breast.
Brad Oberg | Fly, Back | Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS
Coach Hart quote: “We’re excited for what Brad brings to our program in the sprint backstroke and butterfly events. With his recent improvements, he’s one of the top prospects from South Carolina.”
Notes: Three-time South Carolina High School champion in the 100 fly, 100 back and the 200 medley relay… A four-time SCHSL All-State selection… USA Swimming Academic All-American in 2011-12 and 2012-13… Holds the state age group record (age 15-16) in the 100 back… His brother Drew swam at North Carolina (2009) and his sister Chrissy currently swims at Vanderbilt.
Brian Woodbury | Back, Fly, Free | University Place, Wash./Curtis HS
Coach Hart quote: “Brian won the high school state championship in the 100 backstroke and he’ll be the fastest backstroker to commit to Georgia Tech as a freshman. His ability to swim underwater will be extremely helpful in multiple events.”
Notes: Three-time high school MVP… Earned All-America honors in the 100 back… Ranked in the USA Swimming’s top 100 in the 100 back (age 15-16)… Is the Washington High School State Champion in the 100 back… Qualified for the Junior Nationals in 2013.
