The Grand Canyon University women's swimming program announced today that Erica Stock, Jovanna Koens, and Hannah Kastigar have joined the team for the upcoming 2013-14 season, the first for the Antelopes as part of the Division I Western Athletic Conference.
Stock is a transfer from Colorado State and hails from Deer Valley High School in Phoenix, Ariz. For the Rams last season, her times in the 200 breast (2:14.47), 400 individual medley (4:21.23) and 100 breast (1:02.75) were all faster than the current team records at GCU. Her 200 breast time was also an NCAA Division I B cut. Based upon her times last season compared with the WAC Championships, Stock would have placed third in the 200 breast, and fifth in the 100 breast and 400 IM.
"Erica is an Arizona product and an Olympic Trial Qualifier while in high school," said head coach Steve Schaffer. "She had a great year at Colorado State and we are thrilled to have her joining us at GCU."
Koens is a native of Huldenberg, Belguim, where she attended Sint-Joris. She will join the 'Lopes as the fastest sprint freestyler, as her best time in the 50 free would stand as an NCAA Division I B cut and is faster than the current team record. Her times in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle would have placed third and seventh, respectively, at the WAC Championships.
"As good as Jovanna's times are, I think there is a lot of room for her to improve and become a dominant racer in the 50, 100, and even the 200 free," added Shaffer. "She will be a major key to the success of all of our relays."
Kastigar, sister of GCU swimmer Adam Kastigar, is from Aberdeen, S.D., where she attended Central High School. She brings four times that are faster than current 'Lopes records: 400 IM (4:14.39), 200 IM (2:00.66), 200 fly (1:59.72), and 500 freestyle (4:55.51). Her mark in the 200 backstroke (2:01.12) is currently tied with Stacey Wymer for the best on the team. Kastigar's times in the 200 and 400 IM are both NCAA Division I B cuts and at last season's WAC Championships, she would have placed first in the 200 fly, and second in the 200 and 400 IM events.
"Hannah is an amazing talent," Schaffer said. "She qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials and has her sights set on returning for the 2016 Trials and improving on her performances there as well as being a major contributor to our team effort at the WAC Championships."
