|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 29, 2011
The University of Northern Iowa swimming and diving team signed two more members to the 2011-12 roster head coach Stacey Simmer announced, today. The team will add one swimmer, Ashley Nelson, and one diver, Kelsey Williams.
Ashley Nelson (Elkhorn, Wis./ Elkhorn Area HS)
Nelson has received 10 athletic letters throughout her career. She is a three-time state qualifier, has been named to the second team all-conference squad three times and first team once. She was an all-state member in the 200 freestyle relay and an all-state honorable mention member in the 400 freestyle relay. Nelson was also the captain of her high school team. She was coached by Jamie Richardson as a prep and Frank Scott on her club swim team (Lake Geneva Swim Team).
Outside of swimming, Nelson is a member of the basketball and track and field teams. She has received perfect attendance each year throughout her high school career where she maintained a 3.971 GPA. She received academic all-state honors and earned national academic honors for swimming. Nelson was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Nelson plans to major in biology at UNI to prepare for graduate school in physical therapy.
"Ashley will add a lot of depth to our middle distance freestyle group," Simmer said. "She will be a contender for our 800 free relay and has a great chance of placing in the top 16 at conference in all of her events, if not the top eight. She is a very hard worker and a terrific student - she will represent our program well."
Kelsey Williams (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk HS)
Williams placed 23rd at the Iowa State High School Championships in 2009 and 8th in 2010. She currently holds the school record in the 1-meter dive for six dives for her high school.
"Kelsey is a very talented athlete and I believe she is going to bring a great deal of depth to our diving team next season," UNI diving coach Lori Meierbachtol said. "She has worked extremely hard on her one meter diving and has the ability to do some very difficult dives. She has the potential to place very high at our Conference Championship meet."
