Nov. 21, 2008
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech Swimming and Diving Coach Stu Wilson has announced that swimmers Eric Chiu (Martinez, Ga. / Lakeside), Michael Hart (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West), Colin Schouten (Lititz,Pa. / Warwick), Morgan Trickett (Greenville, S.C./JL Mann), Alexis Weber (Atlanta, Ga. / West Forsyth) and Mary Wunderle (Mason, Ohio / William Mason) have signed national letters of intent. In addition, divers Chris Khosravi (Missouri City, Texas / Elkins) and Brandon Makinson (Calgary, Alberta / National Sport School) signed national letters of intent during the early signing period as well.
Chiu was a GHSA state champion in 2008 as well as a two-time All-American as well as a Scholastic All-American. He holds multiple school records, is a Lakeside High School Hall of Fame inductee and a member of the National Arts Honors Society.
“Eric is a great catch for us as he is one of the best high school swimmers to come out of Georgia this year,” Wilson said. “He is very versatile and will help us in a lot of events. We’re all excited about his potential.”
Hart is a three-year letterwinner and 2008-09 captain of the swim team. He finished seventh in the 100-fly at the 2008 Ohio State meet and was a 2007 state qualifier. He won the 200-fly at the 2008 Southwest Ohio Classic, the largest high school meet in the county. For the Mason Manta Rays Swim Team, Hart was a four-time Speedo Sectional Team qualifier and a two-time Junior National Team qualifier. In addition, he was a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. A two-time high honors student, Hart was the recipient of Lakota West’s Outstanding Swimmer Award in 2008 and Outstanding Sophomore Swimmer Award in 2007. Hart was a 2008 high school All-American and first-team all-conference in the 100-fly as well as a third-team all-conference in both 2007 and 2008 for the 100-fly and 200-free. He is a member of both the National Honors Societies and the National Latin Honors Society.
“Michael is a very competitive person who will do well in the pool and in the classroom,” Wilson said. “His fly events will add more depth to the program. His club coach said that he is one of the hardest workers on his team which is the standard here at Georgia Tech.”
Schouten was an All-American in the 500-free while earning All-American consideration in the 200-free. He was an all-state performer the past three years and a two-time league champion in the 200- and 500-free. Schouten was a bronze medalist in the 500-free at the state championships, as well as a district medalist in the 200- and 500-free. He is the vice president of the National Honors Society.
“Colin is a great all-around person who will help us in the middle distance events especially, the 500 free where he is an All American in the event,” Wilson said. “He has a lot of potential who will improve tremendously in our program. He will fit perfectly with the team.”
Trickett was an All-American in the 50-free in 2007. At the 2008 South Carolina state meet, Trickett was first in the 50-free (23.60), 100-free (51.05) and 100-back (57.56) as well as second in the 100-breast (1:04.57). She also swam at Jr. Nationals in 2007 and 2008 and short course Nationals in 2007. At J L Mann H.S., Trickett was an All-State swimmer each year since seventh grade. In six years of high school, Trickett won 11 gold, seven silver and two bronze medals. The 20 total medals were the most in the history of South Caroline high school swimming. She was named the South Carolina Women’s Athlete of the Year in high swimming for the last three seasons and was an 11-time state champion. Trickett was also a three-time MVP and 2007 and 2008 Scholastic All-American.
“Morgan is a very talented swimmer who will help us in the sprint events,” Wilson said. “Her speed in the 50- and 100-free will be exciting to watch. She is going to be a force on the team not only with talent but with her personality. This is a great catch for us.”
Weber, who swims for Dynamo, was first at Metro’s last year and second in the high school state meet in both the 50- and 100-free. She is a Scholastic All-American as well as member of the National Honors Society and Spanish National Honors Society.
“Alexis is going to bring a lot of energy to the team,” Wilson said. “She is going to add more depth to our sprint events and will help our relays as well. We’re very excited about the explosive potential she has yet to reach.”
Wunderle holds school records in the 200-IM as well as 200- and 400-free relays. She is a two-time All-American in both those relays as well as a 2008 All-American in the 200-IM. Wunderle is also a two-time all-state in both the 200- and 400-free relays and 200-back and an all-state selection for one year in the 200-medley relay (2006) and 200-IM (2008). She is a three-time honors student and elected to be a Junior/Senior representative for Ohio Swimming.
“Mary will most definitely help us in the individual medley,” Wilson said. “She also has a strong backstroke. We feel she hasn’t tapped into her talent yet and will really come out next year. We’re looking forward to seeing her progress and move this program forward.”
Khosravi is coming off a 17th-place finish on the platform at 2008 Senior Nationals, while he finished eighth on platform at 2008 Junior Nationals.
“Chris comes in as possibly the most accomplished all-around diver I’ve recruited in to Tech,” said diving coach John Ames. “He is a Senior National qualifier and will be strongest on Platform. He will contribute immensely on all three boards immediately at the Conference meet and potentially at the NCAA level.”
Makinson is in his seventh year with Dive Calgary. At the 2008 Canadian Winter Senior Nationals in Regina, Saskatchewan, he placed eighth on the one-meter board and 15th on the three-meter board. At the 2008 Junior Nationals in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he was sixth on the three-meter board and 12th on the one-meter board. He was also a 2006 WCSG Qualifier, 2006 Junior National Finalist and a 2007 WInter Provincial Medalist.
“Brandon is the first International diver to join the team,” Ames said. “Canada has one of the top diving programs in the world and he will bring a ton of experience having competed at the Senior National level.”
