July 9, 2010
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech swimming head coach Courtney Shealy Hart has announced that seven student-athletes have signed letters-of-intent during the spring signing period. Anton Lagerqvist (Gothenburg, Sweden.), Sam Morgan (Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Nicholas Colletti (Mobile, Ala.) Bo Hatchett (Demorest, Ga.) and Andreas Nilsson (Charlotte, N.C.) will join the men’s team, while Ashley Hardy (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Hailey White (Duluth, Ga.) join the women’s squad for the 2010-11 academic year. Ryan Salmon (Savannah, Ga.) and Sarah Roethel (Herndon, Va.) will also join the men’s and women’s teams respectively in the fall.
Lagerqvist brings a wealth of international experience to the Jackets. He is the Swedish Junior national record holder in the 200 breaststroke and most recently represented his country at the 2009 European Championships. He has swum faster in the 200 meter breaststroke than any American high school swimmer in the class of 2010.
“Anton is an outstanding breaststroker that has the potential to win ACCs his freshman year,” said Shealy Hart. “He has tested himself at the highest level internationally, and now he is going to give the ACC and the NCAA his best.”
Morgan swims distance freestyle for both Chaparral High School and the Scottsdale Aquatic. Morgan is a senior national qualifier in the 1650-free and helped lead Chaparral to the Arizona State 5A Championship in the fall.
“Sam is a key piece to turning around our distance team,” said Shealy Hart. “We hope he can be next in the great line of Tech distance swimmers.”
Colletti swims sprint backstroke, butterfly and freestyle at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School and for the City of Mobile Swim Association. At McGill-Toolen, Colletti finished no lower than 3rd in any of the events he contested at the Alabama State High School Championships in 2009. His accomplishments with the City of Mobile Swim Association were even greater. At the 2009 Speedo Short Course Junior Nationals, Colletti swam a leg on the championship 200 freestyle relay.
“Nicholas is a versatile sprinter that can fill a number of roles for our team,” added Shealy Hart.” He has shown big time ability on relays and the ability to swim three strokes.”
Hatchett joins the team as a transfer after two years playing football at Presbyterian College. Prior to Presbyterian he was a junior national qualifier for the Habersham Rapids. He currently trains with Swim Atlanta.
Shealy Hart added: “We are happy to bring Bo back to swimming. Our coaching staff believes he has a wealth of untapped potential.”
Nilsson swims distance freestyle and IM South Mecklenburg High School and for the New South Swimming. He is a junior national qualifier.
“Andreas is a hard worker and can contribute in a number of different events. He has the toughness and the will to swim the hardest events in the pool.” said Shealy Hart. Salmon is a junior national qualifier in both breaststroke events as well as the Georgia State runner up in the 100.
“Ryan has a lot of potential and we are very happy to be keeping one of the best high school breaststrokers in Georgia inside the state.”
Hardy joins the women’s team after finishing 2nd at the Michigan State meet in the 1M Diving.
“Ashley is a great talent and I think she can continue our string of top ACC divers” said diving coach John Ames.
White joins the team after finishing third in both the 200 and 500 free at the Georgia State 5A meet.
“Hailey is going to bring depth to our middle distance corps. She has the flexibility to race almost any freestyle event.”
Sarah Roethel has been diving for three years and looks to bolster the Yellow Jackets depth on both boards.
