FIU Swimming and Diving Head Coach Randy Horner signed six student-athletes to join the Panthers program.
The newest Panthers come from various parts of the country as well as one swimmer from England.
Nadia Farrugia, who is ranked in the top 30 in England in the 50, 100 and 200 yard freestyle events, signed with FIU over Florida Gulf Coasst.
Farrugia is from Egham Surrey in England and was the team captain for the Windsor Swimming Club.
"Nadia will help our team immediately in the freestyle events," Horner said. "Her ability to span from the 50 to the 500 freestyles will be very valuable to our young program. She is currently posting lifetime best swims in-season, so we are excited about her growth potential in the future."
Courtney Vander Schaaf joins the Panthers from Jenison High in Michigan. There Vander Schaaf was a four-time All-State swimmer and holds the Jenison High record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:03.03.
Vander Schaaf also swims the 50, 100, 200 and 500 yard freestyle events.
"Courtney has proven to be one of the top prospects in the state of Michigan," Horner said. "She currently holds the Jenison High record in the 500 Freestyle and continues to improve year after year."
Destine Godfrey and Danielle Meara both hale from Texas and are expected to help FIU is several different events.
Godfrey was a three-time state champion (2008-10) in the 100 yard freestyle. She also swims the 200 IM for Lancaster High in Dallas.
Godfrey is the school record holder in the 100 and 500 free.
"Destine is a raw talent," Horner said. "When I saw her swim this summer I knew I wanted her on our team. She has all of the tools to be a great Division I Swimmer."
Meara was a junior national qualifier in the 200 IM this year. At Kingwood (Tex.) High, Meara was a three-time All-state honorable mention. Meara was also a Scholastic All-American in 2010.
"Danielle's enthusiasm for swimming is infectious," Horner said. "Danielle is only going to get better as she moves to the collegiate level of swimming. We are very happy to have Danielle in our first recruiting class."
FIU's lone signee from Florida is Alice Horton of Orlando Dr. Phillips High.
Horton was a four-year varsity letterman and chose FIU over FGCU.
"Alice will be an asset to our program," Horner said. "She is solid in all distance events including the 400IM."
Hannah Mitchell rounds out the signing class.
At Central Catholic High in Massachusetts, Mitchell is the record holder in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle events.
Mitchell was an all-conference selection in 2010.
"Hannah will add depth to our distance group," Horner said. "She comes to us being the record holder at her high school in the 200 and 500 freestlyles. Being the best from her team will give her the leadership skills needed to be a successful member of a collegiate program."
Nadia Farrugia
Egham Surrey, England
Ranked top 30 in England for 50, 100 and 200 Freestyles
Team captain for Windsor Swimming Club
Top Times: 50 Free 27.2 (50m), 100 Free 58.6 (25m), 200 Free 2:06.7 (25m), 400 Free 4:29.3 (25m)
Major: Nutrition/Dietetics
Chose FIU over Florida Gulf Coast
Courtney Vander Schaaf
Jenison Michigan / Jenison High School / Jenison Area Wildcat Swimming (Club Team)
All-state Michigan 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Jenison High record holder in 500 Freestyle 5:03.03
Top Time: 50 Free 24.2, 100 Free 52.9, 200 Free 153.01, 500 Free 5:02.85
National Honor Society / 3.82 GPA / Major Pre-Med
Chose FIU over Drury University, Truman State, Wayne State and Oakland University
Destine Godfrey
Lancaster Texas / Lancaster High School / Dallas Mustangs (Swim Club)
State finalist in 100 Free and 200IM in 2007-2010
State champion 100 Freestyle 08-09/ 09/10
School record holder in 100 and 500 Free
Top times: 100 Free 53.9, 100 Fly 59.3, 200IM 2:10.9
Chose FIU over North Texas and Niagara University
Major Hospitality Management
Danielle Meara
Kingwood Texas / Kingwood H.S. / Blue Tide Aquatics (club team)
All State Honorable Mention 2008,2009,2010
Jr. National Qualifier 200IM (2010)
Top Times: 200IM 208.0, 100 Breast 1:07.74, 200 Breast 2:24.71
Scholastic All American 2010
Chose FIU over TCU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic University, University of Arkansas Little Rock
GPA 3.78
Major Dietetics/Nutrition
Alice Horton
Orlando Florida / Dr. Phillips H.S. / Southwest Stars (club team)
4 year varsity letterman
Major: Real Estate
13th in 500 2010 State Championships, 16th in 500 Free 2007 / 16th 1500 Free YMCA Nationals
Top Times: 500 Free 5:05.3, 1000 Free 10:34.1, 1650 Free 17:45.1, 400IM 4:33.93
Chose FIU over Florida Gulf Coast
Hannah Mitchell
Andover, Massachusetts / Central Catholic HS
MVC All Star 2007-09, MVC All Conference 2010
Central Catholic HS record holder in 200 and 500 Freestyle
Major: Criminal Justice
GPA 3.66
Top Times: 500 Free 5:09.7, 1000 Free 10:37.1, 1650 Free 17:45.3, 200 Breast 2:29.7
Chose FIU over Connecticut College and St. Lawrence
