May 12, 2011
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech swimming head coach Courtney Shealy Hart announced Thursday that ten student-athletes have signed letters-of-intent during the spring signing period and will join the Tech swimming and diving squads for the 2011-12 season.
Four women will join the Yellow Jackets: Kelsey Maloney (Marietta, Ga.), Ariana Berg (Peachtree City, Ga.), Catherine Richards (Hibberdene, South Africa) and Sara Allen (Alpharetta, Ga.). The men’s squad will add another six to their roster: Nico Van Duijn (Zurich, Switzerland), Jack Beall (Peachtree City, Ga.), Kristopher Bryant (Kingston, Ga.), Andrew Chetcuti (Dubai, UAE/Marsascala, Malta), Wilson Wei (Norman, Okla.) and Dylan Kase (Alpharetta, Ga.).
The Women
Maloney swims distance freestyle and butterfly for Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club. In addition to her to swimming prowess, Maloney’s academic excellence resulted in her receiving the Presidential Scholarship from Georgia Tech. Maloney’s father Jim was also awarded the Presidential Scholarship during his tenure at Tech, making them the first father daughter team to be so honored.
“We are obviously enthused to have a swimmer of Kelsey’s athletic and academic achievement join our squad for the 2011-12 season,” said Shealy Hart.
Berg is a breaststroke specialist for Southern Crescent Aquatic Team. In 2010, she was the Georgia State 1A-4A Champion in the 100 breaststroke helping her to become a Collegeswimming.com Top-10 Georgia recruit. Berg also holds the honor of being a Senior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
“We’ve watched Ariana compete for a long time,” remarked Shealy Hart, “as fast as she has swim we see a lot of potential in her.”
Richards is also a breaststroker who recently finished competing with the Players Club under South African Olympian Ryk Neethling. Richards is one of the top junior breaststrokers in South Africa and is a Senior National Qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
“Catherine is coming a long way to be here,” said Shealy Hart, “we can’t wait to get her on campus and make Atlanta her new home.”
Allen is a middle distance freestyler who trains with Swim Atlanta. A two-sport athlete between swimming and cross country, Allen has recently narrowed her focus to swimming.
Shealy Hart commented “Sara has a unique background in running and swimming- we’re excited to see what she can do while just swimming here at Tech”.
The Men
Van Duijn is a butterfly and middle distance specialist for Limmat Sharks Zurich. He represented Switzerland internationally at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2010 and most recently finished as runner up at Swiss Long Course Nationals in the 200 Butterfly. His incoming butterfly times rank him faster than any fall signee in the ACC.
“Nico is a world class swimmer with world class goals and we’re going to help him get there,” said Shealy Hart.
Beall brings butterfly and sprint freestyle talents from Southern Crescent Aquatic Club. Beall is a two time state 1A-4A State Champion in the 100 Backstroke (2010, 2011) as well as a 2010 Champion in the 100 fly.
“Jack is one of the best young swimmers in Georgia,” said Shealy Hart, “We’re proud to add him to the Tech family.”
Bryant is a versatile swimmer, with talents spanning the backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley while swimming for Tidal Wave Swim Club. Bryant is a Junior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
“We believe Kristopher is just coming into his own and look forward to his continued development here,” remarked Shealy Hart.
Chetcuti is a Maltese and Canadian citizen who competes in sprint butterfly and freestyle for Libra Elite in Dubai. He is the Maltese national record holder in the 50 and 100 butterfly and freestyle in short course and the long course record holder in the 100 free, all with times that would qualify him for US Senior Nationals.
“Andrew is a young man mature beyond his years. His improvement over the last year is nothing short of amazing and we’re looking forward to more,” said Shealy Hart.
Wei specializes in backstroke and individual medley for Sooner Swim Club. He is a US Open qualifier in the 200 backstroke and a two time Oklahoma State Champion in the 200 IM helping him to a Top-5 ranking by Collegeswimming.com among the recruits in Oklahoma.
“Wilson embodies what we’re looking for in a Yellow Jacket,” commented Shealy Hart, “He is a dedicated athlete and student.”
Kase swims butterfly and IM for Dynamo Swim Club. He is a senior national qualifier in the 400 individual medley and junior national qualifier in the 200 individual medley as well as the 200 fly.
“Dylan’s enthusiasm is infectious and we hope everyone catches it,” said Shealy Hart.
The 2011 recruits, Shealy Hart, and the rest of the Tech squad will be back in action this fall. The 2011-12 swimming schedule will be released soon on RamblinWreck.com.
