Nov. 19, 2009
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech swimming head coach Courtney Shealy Hart has announced that five student-athletes have signed letters-of-intent during the early signing period: Jake Johnson (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Ben Shepperd (Marietta, Ga.) join the men’s teams, while Caroline Fore (Boiling Springs, S.C.), Taylor Sostarecz (Easton, Pa.) and Hillary Yarosh (West Chester, Pa.) join the women’s squad.
Johnson swims sprint freestyle, backstroke and butterfly at Shenendehowa High School. He is the New York State Champion in the 50-free and a state runner-up in the 100-free. Johnson is also a senior national qualifier in the 50-free and 100-free and has earned NISCA High School All-American honors in both events.
“Having a sprinter like Jake will ensure that our men’s team continues to be at the top of the ACC in the coming years,” said Shealy Hart. “His easy-going, yet competitive demeanor will be an asset to our team chemistry”
Shepperd swims sprint freestyle and butterfly for both George Walton High School and the Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club. Johnson is a senior national qualifier in the 50-free and is a Georgia State record holder in the 50-free for the 15-16 age group.
“We are very excited to keep one of Georgia’s best sprint prospects in state,” said Shealy Hart. “Ben has accomplished a lot already, but we feel he has potential to accomplish even more here at Tech”
Fore swims breaststroke and IM at Boiling Springs High School and for the Y-Spartaquatics swim club. Fore won the 2009 South Carolina High School State Championship in 200-IM and is the state record holder in the 200-breaststroke. She is also a junior national qualifier.
“Caroline is a versatile talent that has come on incredibly strong in the last two years,” added Shealy Hart.” We look for her to continue that trend here at Tech.”
Sostarecz swims distance and IM for Easton Area High School and for the Lehigh Valley Swim Club. She is a senior national qualifier and an NISCA All-American in the 500-free.
Shealy Hart added: “Taylor is an athlete that we believe can come onto our program and represent us at the NCAA Championships right away.”
Yarosh swims sprint freestyle and butterfly for Unionville High School and for the Golden Rams Aquatic club team. She is a Pennsylvania State finalist in both the 100-free and 100-fly and is a senior national qualifier in the 100-free and 100-fly. Yarohsh has earned NISCA High School All-American honors in the 100-fly, as well.
“Sprinters are the lifeblood of any college team, and Hillary’s versatility to sprint butterfly and freestlye will help us immensely in both relays and individual events,” said Shealy Hart.
