Nick Rodionoff, head coach of the Pepperdine swimming and diving team, has signed eight student-athletes a to National Letter of Intent. The talented group will join the Waves in the fall of 2015.
“We are really pleased with the diverse talent of this group,” said Rodionoff. “Our current student-athletes have worked really hard to re-establish a foundation, and these additions are really going to elevate our program to new heights, in all disciplines. Not only are these young ladies talented swimmers and divers, but they all truly embody what it means to ‘Compete with Purpose.’ I’m excited to see what the next four years have in store of them.”
The Waves are now in their 15th season under Rodionoff’s leadership. Since taking over as head coach prior to the 2000-01 season, Rodionoff has guided the Waves to 11 top-five finishes at the Pacific Collegiate Swim & Dive Conference Championships, including a fifth-place result in 2014. It was the team’s highest finish since 2010.
Here’s a closer look at the swim and dive team’s newest additions:
LAUREN ALLARD
Arlington, Va. | Yorktown High School
Sprint Free/Breaststroke
HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Yorktown High School … Fifth-place finisher in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.66) at the 2014 Northern Virginia Regionals … Went on place 10th at state …Three-season district and regional qualifier … Placed 24th in the 200 breaststroke (2:27.52) at the 2014 Virginia Eastern Zone Sectional … Earned Northern Virginia Honor Roll, awarded to regional qualifiers with a 3.5 GPA or higher … Also competes and coaches for the York Swim Club … Member of the club’s record-holding 200 freestyle relay team.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Hunt and Diane … Has one brother, David … Plans to major in kinesiology and exercise science … Passionate about mission work and has logged over 600 hours of service.
ALLARD ON PEPPERDINE: "The Pepperdine focus on academics, athletics and service fits exactly what I was hoping to find. It’s a perfect match for me.”
RODIONOFF ON ALLARD: “Lauren comes to us from Virginia. Her strengths are breaststroke and sprint free. She has a heart for missions and that, coupled with her strong academic and athletic background, make her a perfect addition to our team.”
ALLIE CARTER
San Diego, Calif. | Del Norte High School
Free/Fly/IM
HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Del Norte High School … Holds school records in the 100 butterfly, 200 IM and 200 freestyle … Also a member of the Del Norte record-setting 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams … All-Valley League first team selection in 2014 … Won four titles at the 2014 Valley League Championships … 2014 All-CIF San Diego Section performer … Began prep career at Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del. … All-State selection as both a freshman and sophomore … Seven-time conference champion while at Tatnall … Two-time all-conference pick … Swims club for Pacific Swim as a member of its sectional team … Five-time member of the Western YMCA (Wilmington, Del.) National Team, swimming both long and short course … Still holds several team records there and was an MVP.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Anita and Scott … Has on younger brother, Ben … Currently resides in San Diego, Calif. … Originally from Pennsylvania … Avid volunteer who works with the Special Olympics and Best Buddies … Enjoys spending time at the beach with friends and family … Began swimming competitively year round at the age of nine.
CARTER ON PEPPERDINE: "Very quickly after visiting Pepperdine, I knew it was the place for me. I liked the swim team's philosophy, felt Pepperdine's culture was a perfect fit for me, and loved the campus' beautiful setting. I look forward to seeing what the next four years have to bring and I cannot wait to call Pepperdine my home."
RODIONOFF ON CARTER: “Allie is very well rounded swimmer, strong in all of her strokes and particularly excels in all the freestyle events, fly and IM. She will be a great addition to the team, and we are eager to have her with us next fall.”
JULIANNA CHAN
Davis, Calif. | Da Vinci Charter Academy
5-3 | Breaststroke
HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Da Vinci Charter Academy … Swims for Davis Senior High School (because of its small size, Da Vinci does not sponsor athletic teams) … Won Most Improved award as a sophomore … Member of the UC Davis Aquatics club team … 2013 winner of the Matt Casto Award, named in memory of a member of the UC Davis college team.
PERSONAL: Daughter of David and Jenny … Older sister to Chloe ... Enjoys traveling, hiking and reading … Aspires to one day attend law school and become a sports attorney.
CHAN ON PEPPERDINE: "I chose to swim for Pepperdine because I really felt Coach Nick was welcoming and I really agree with his philosophy of coaching. I also love the small, intimate setting and the school’s academic standards. These will enhance my enjoyment of the school and help me achieve my career goals."
RODIONOFF ON CHAN: “We are very excited to have Julianna coming to Pepperdine. Her strengths are primarily in breaststroke and fly. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and we are looking forward to her joining the team.”
MEGAN HENLEY
Reno, Nev. | Galena High School
5-5 | Breaststroke/IM
HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Galena High School … Northern Division I All-Region performer as a junior … Selected to the Nevada All-State Academic Swim Team as a freshman … Also swims club for the Lakeridge Swim Team … Club-best times include 1:07.74 in the 100 breaststroke, 2:29.40 in the 200 breaststroke and 2:15.92 in the 200 IM.
PERSONAL: Has lived in five different states … Father is a member of the United States Air Force and played football for the Academy.
HENLEY ON PEPPERDINE: “I chose Pepperdine University because I know it will challenge me academically, athletically and spiritually. Malibu and the University seemed like the perfect fit for me.”
RODIONOFF ON HENLEY: “Megan comes to us from Reno, Nevada. She is a breaststroke and IM specialist, an excellent student and great fun to be around. She is both persistent and very encouraging to others. Just being around her lifts your spirit.”
JESSICA KING
Long Beach, Calif. | Woodrow Wilson High School
5-7 | Freestyle
HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach … Led squad to the Moore League Championship as a freshman and junior … Named team MVP as a freshman and junior … Placed third in the 200 freestyle relay last year at the CIF-Southern Section Div. 2 Championships … Also a varsity letterwinner in water polo and track … Member of the NOVA Aquatics club team
KING ON PEPPERDINE: “Pepperdine University is the college of my dreams. Aside from the beautiful campus and ideal location in Malibu, Pepperdine is well known for the academics, friendly professors, and outstanding Division I athletics. I cannot wait to attend Pepperdine and I am so proud to call myself a Wave!”
RODIONOFF ON KING: “Jessie is a sprint freestyler. She brings a confidence and passion to the team that makes her a natural fit. She’s a hard worker and shows a lot of promise. We are eager to have her joining us.”
SAMANTHA NEWMAN
El Dorado Hills, Calif. | Oak Ridge High School
5-2 | Diver
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year varsity letter winner in both diving and tennis … Earned a third-place finish at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship as a sophomore … Fifth place finisher at the Delta River League Trials … Team-high scorer and team captain as a junior … Also senior captain of tennis team … 2014 Sierra Foothill League Tennis Champions … National Honor Society Marketing President of Art Media Club … Competes for Coach Roland King in Rockin, Calif. on the club circuit … Junior Olympics qualifier in freestyle skiing, trampoline and tumbling.
PERSONAL: Born in Truckee, Calif. … Daughter of Robyn and Rick Newman … Older sister Sydney is also a diver on the Pepperdine squad … Plans to major in advertising … Enjoys missionary work and hopes to continue volunteering in under developed countries.
NEWMAN ON PEPPERDINE: “I chose Pepperdine because it feels perfect in every way. I love the people, location and the Christian atmosphere. Not only does it have an outstanding academic reputation, but it is a place where I will be encouraged to grow spiritually. It is comforting to know that I will be surrounded by supportive students and faculty as I begin this next journey in life. I am very excited that I will be a member of the dive team.”
RODIONOFF ON NEWMAN: “Samantha is an exceptional athlete and is a welcomed addition to our diving team. She is a strong Christian and an excellent student. We are anticipating a wonderful four years and looking forward to having her join us in the fall.”
TAYLOR PINKERTON
Park Ridge, Ill. | Maine South High School
5-5 | Freestyle/Breaststroke
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time recipient of the Coaches’ Award … Four-year varsity letter winner and team captain as a senior … 2013 Illinois GA Winter Regional Championship champion in the 1000 freestyle … Runner up in the 500 freestyle at the 2012 winter regionals … Took third in the 1650 freestyle at the 2014 Illinois GA Winter Regional Championship … Swam for coach Don Kura … Also competes for the Learning Tower YMCA under the leadership of Bryan Lederhouse … Two-time competitor at the Illinois Senior Championships and YMCA National Long Course Championships … National Honor Society member.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Nancy and James Pinkerton … Has two younger siblings, Abigail and Sarah … Plans to major in either sports medicine or engineering … Aunt Kathy Widuch was also a collegiate swimmer at SMU.
PINKERTON ON PEPPERDINE: “I have always loved being in and around the water and I’m excited to continue my swim career as a Pepperdine Wave. After visiting Pepperdine, I fell in love with its size, sense of community, academics and athletics. I know Pepperdine will provide me opportunities to excel both academically and athletically.
RODIONOFF ON PINKERTON: “Taylor is coming to us from Illinois. Her strengths are distance freestyle and breaststroke. Her leadership abilities, strong academics and love of the sport are good indicators of continued success as she joins us in the fall.”
MORGAN ROSZTOCZY
Litchfield, Ariz. | Millennium High School
5-11 | Sprint Freestyle
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year captain at Millennium High School … Top 50 and 100 freestyle times in high school set at 24.8 and 54.7, respectively … Also swims for the West Side Silver Fin’s Senior Elite team … Has been a member of the traveling squad that competes at sectionals, far Westerns and Y Nationals … Represented West Side Silver Fins at the 2014 YMCA Nationals, competing in the 50 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tom and Jill … Youngest of four … Has two older brothers and one older sister.
ROSZTOCSY ON PEPPERDINE: "I chose Pepperdine University because it was a perfect blend of everything I have ever wanted. The school comes with an amazing location, academics, as well as a swim team that fits right with my level and standards."
RODIONOFF ON ROSZTOCSY: “Morgan comes to us from Arizona. She is a sprint free specialist and shows promise in backstroke as well. She brings a strong sense of focus and commitment to the team and we are looking forward to working with her.”
