The Kentucky swimming team added 11 new athletes to the class of 2013 on Monday, as all the incoming swimmers signed their National Letters of Intent on Nov. 19. Kentucky will bring in six women and five men to the team next season including several nationally ranked athletes.
“It’s one of the best classes Kentucky’s had overall in awhile,” said associate head coach Lars Jorgenson. “We’re really pleased to have these 11 people joining us. We hope that they have a huge impact on us for next season.”
Head coach Gary Conelly and his staff believes the class will help fill some immediate holes on next year’s squad to help Kentucky improve next season.
All six women’s incoming swimmers have been ranked nationally by CollegeSwimming.com, and many have been highly ranked in-state.
Kendal Casey comes to UK from Florida. The Port Orange-native is the seventh-ranked female swimmer in the state and is ranked 78th nationally according to College Swimming. She trains with the Daytona Beach Swimming club under Steve Lochte, father of Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte. She recently finished second in the 200- and 500-freestyle events at the Florida High School State Meet on Nov. 9.
“Kendal has a bright future at UK,” said Conelly. “She will make an immediate impact in both her individual events and relays. She displayed her talent a week ago at her high school state meet. We believe that’s just the beginning.”
The No. 1-ranked recruit out of the state of South Carolina in Danielle Galyer. Galyer is College Swimming’s 97th ranked recruit nationally. Galyer attends Maudlin High School in Greer, S.C., and swam for the head coach Peter Wright of Y-Spartaquatics Swim Club. Kentucky is looking forward to adding Gayler’s ability in the backstroke and freestyle events.
“We are excited to have Danielle,” said Conelly. “We need to add to our backstroke and freestyle depth. She will do that beginning her first year as a Wildcat.”
Kate Kelly will follow her club teammate in Galyer to the Bluegrass State from South Carolina. Kelly, a specialist in the butterfly, ranks right behind Galyer in the College Swimming rankings as the No. 2 recruit in South Carolina.
“Kate adds another talent to our strong fly contingent,” said Conelly. “Her work ethic is outstanding. We’re excited to be adding two super stars from Peter Wright’s team.”
The top-ranked swimmer in Alabama will also make her way Lexington next fall. Out of Northport, Ala., Kelly Berger will join the Wildcats as a distance swimmer. Her father also swam in the Southeastern Conference, competing for Alabama in his college days. She swam for head coach John Boxmeyer of Crimson Tide Aquatics on the club level.
“Kelly comes from a great family of swimming talent as her father competed for Alabama,” said Conelly. “She will be a great asset to our distance group right away. We are thrilled to have her join us.”
Morgan Contino comes from the state of Ohio as the No. 15 recruit out of the state of Ohio. The Cincinnati native swims for ME Lyons Anderson Barracudas YMCA for Tim Hart and also plays volleyball for her Turpin High School team. Contino will add to Kentucky’s depth in the butterfly and freestyle events.
“As a multi-sport athlete Morgan has a ton of up-side as she focuses on swimming solely,” said Conelly. “We are very excited about her potential not only as a flyer, but as a freestyler as well.”
Kendra Crew also will make the trip south from Ohio as the 11th ranked recruit in the state. Crew, from Springfield, specializes in the breaststroke and individual medley while swimming for Springfield YMCA and head coach Bruce Patmos.
“Kendra gives us much needed depth in the breaststroke,” said Conelly. “Her impact in those events will be felt immediately. She will compete for relay spots her first year.”
Kentucky adds five versatile men to the class of 2013 that figure to add instant depth to their team for next season and years to come.
Chris Grimmett-Norris arrives from Virginia. The freestyle and butterfly specialist is a member of the US Junior National Swim Team and competed against Japan last September. Grimmett-Norris has earned an Olympic trial qualifying time. He swam for the Nation’s Capital Swim Club under head coach John Flanagan.
“Chris has serious NCAA potential in both middle distance free style events and in the butterfly events,” said Conelly. “He isn’t afraid of hard work and has a great demeanor. He’ll be an excellent teammate in the pool and out.”
The 11th ranked swimmer from the state of Maryland will join the Wildcats next season. Freestyle swimmer Jamie Stevenson from Chevy Chase, Md., will give Kentucky a strong presence in their distance events during his four years in Lexington. He swam at the club level for Rockville Montgomery and head coach Scott Vekeman.
“Jamie is a determined distance swimmer who we know has tons of potential,” said Stevenson. “He’s excited to be a Wildcat and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Brandon Flynn of the York YMCA Swimming club placed fourth at the LC Junior Nationals in the 400-indivdual medley. Flynn will help Kentucky as one of the top individual medley performers in the country.
“After a standout summer Brandon established himself as one of the top high school IM prospects in the nation,” said Conelly. “Brandon will contend for SEC finals his freshman year without a doubt.”
Kyle Higgins comes to UK after swimming under the same club coach as sophomore Abby Myers in Tom Donatie at the Mt. Lebanon Aquatic Club, one of the top clubs in Pennsylvania. Higgins has great potential for the SEC in the butterfly.
“Kyle comes from one of the best club programs in eastern Pennsylvania,” said Conelly. “We think he has the upside to be an accomplished SEC swimmer.”
Kentucky will add breaststroke specialist Tanner Anderson out of Moscow, Idaho. Anderson swims for the Gold Medal Swim Club under Mike Anderson. Tanner Anderson is expected to contribute in breaststroke events immediately.
“Tanner is an excellent overall athlete,” said Conelly. “He is a great competitor and his breaststroke talents will be immediately felt. We are excited to have him.”
