Purdue women’s swimming and diving is pleased to announce its 2015-16 recruiting class, a group of 12 young ladies set to join the program in the fall.
Purdue coaches John Klinge, Adam Soldati and Erica Beine have added 10 swimmers and two divers to the roster for the 2015-16 season. The future Boilermakers include: Danielle Auckley (Lafayette, Ind.), Maddie Barta (Hartland, Wis.), Alex Clarke (Carmel, Ind.), Cady Farlow (Berne, Ind.), Roxy Griffore (Milford, Mich.), Taite Kitchel (Zionsville, Ind.), Emily Meckstroth (Granger, Ind.), Morgan Meixner (Indianapolis), Brenna Robinson (North Webster), Haley Rowley (Lafayette, Colo.), Jackie Smailis (Highland, Ind.) and Alexis Vincent (Peru, Ind.).
Nine of the 12 incoming freshmen hail from the state of Indiana. Barta’s brother Evan is rising junior swimmer for the Purdue men’s team. Kitchel’s mother Kendra swam at Purdue and her father Tom played baseball for the Boilermakers. Clarke’s father Chris swam at Michigan State and the sisters of Auckley (Melissa, Toledo) and Jackie (Donna, Indiana) were also collegiate swimmers.
Meixner and Vincent represent the divers in the recruiting class. Together, the 10 swimmers will help strengthen the team in multiple events. Clarke, Kitchel, Robinson and Rowley have all excelled in at least three strokes. Farlow is a breaststroke specialist. Like her brother, Barta is also at her best in the backstroke events and 50 freestyle. Smailis excels in the same strokes.
Auckley and Griffore specialize in the freestyle sprints, while Meckstroth is at her best in distance freestyle events. Rowley also has experience with long events like the mile and 400 individual medley.
The sizable group of newcomers was needed to replace the accomplished nine-member senior class that closed out their collegiate careers as Boilermakers this season.
The following is alphabetical listing of the recruits biographical information and top events.
Danielle Auckley
Hometown (High School): Lafayette, Indiana (McCutcheon High School)
Club Team: Mavericks
Coach: Amanda Cox
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (23.85), 100 Free (51.84)
Parents: Daniel & Sherri Auckley
Notable: Sister Melissa swam at the University of Toledo
Maddie Barta
Hometown (High School): Hartland, Wisconsin (Arrowhead High School)
Club Team: Lake Country
Coach: Mark Kohnhorst
Best Events (Top Times): 200 Back (2:00.15), 100 Back (56.55), 50 Free (23.88)
Parents: Gregg & Mary Barta
Notable: Brother Evan currently swims for Purdue
Alex Clarke
Hometown (High School): Carmel, Indiana (Carmel High School)
Club Team: Carmel Swim Club
Coach: Chris Plumb
Best Events (Top Times): 200 IM (2:01.19), 400 IM (4:20.85), 200 Fly (2:00.49), 100 Breast (1:02.71)
Parents: Chris & Jane Clarke
Notable: Father swam at Michigan State
Cady Farlow
Hometown (High School): Berne, Indiana (South Adams High School)
Club Team: Northwest Aquatic Club
Coaches: Janelle Gresla & John Gibson
Best Events (Top Times): 100 Breast (1:03.51), 200 Breast (2:16.61)
Parents: Rod & Tara Farlow
Roxy Griffore
Hometown (High School): Milford, Michigan (Mercy High School)
Coach: Shannon Dunworth
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (23.57), 100 Free (51.97)
Parents: William & Theresa Griffore
Taite Kitchel
Hometown (High School): Zionsville, Indiana (Zionsville High School)
Club Team: Zionsville Swim Club
Coach: Eric Meyer
Best Events (Top Times): 200 IM (1:59.87), 400 IM (4:22.43), 200 Back (1:59.67), 200 Fly (2:01.20), 100 Fly (54.15)
Parents: Tom & Kendra Kitchel
Notable: Mother swam at Purdue & her father played baseball at Purdue
Emily Meckstroth
Hometown (High School): Granger, Indiana (Penn High School)
Club Team: Michiana Stars
Coach: Mike Anderson
Best Events (Top Times): 500 Free (4:50.97), 1000 Free (9:53.63), 1650 Free (16:34.52)
Parents: Tim & Jennifer Meckstroth
Morgan Meixner
Hometown (High School): Indianapolis, Indiana (Lawrence North High School)
Club Team: Indiana International School of Diving
Coach: David McKown
Best Event: Diver
Parents: Jim & Maria Meixner
Breanna Robinson
Hometown (High School): North Webster, Indiana (Wawasee High School)
Club Team: PRO Swimming
Coach: Julie Robinson
Best Events (Top Times): 100 Back (53.96), 200 Back (1:56.95), 100 Fly (53.77), 100 Free (50.58)
Parents: Brent & Julie Robinson
Haley Rowley
Hometown (High School): Lafayette, Colorado (Centurus High School)
Club Team: University of Denver Hilltoppers
Coach: Shawn Smith
Best Events (Top Times): 1650 Free (16:11.17), 200 Back (1:56.76), 400 IM (4:15.57)
Mother: Laura Rowley
Jackie Smailis
Hometown (High School): Highland, Indiana (Highland High School)
Club Team: Highland Hurricanes Swim Club
Coach: Nick Castillo
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (23.89), 100 Back (57.01)
Parents: Kaz & Kathy Smailis
Notable: Sister Donna was All-American swimmer at Indiana University
Alexis Vincent
Hometown (High School): Peru, Indiana (Oak Hill High School)
Club Team: Springin’ Eagles
Coach: Bobby Hart
Best Event: Diver
Parents: James & Angela Vincent
