The Northern Colorado swimming & diving team signed three new athletes to their program last Thursday. Head coach Kelly McClanahan welcomed swimmers Anita Stepanenko and Bree Harris, as well as diver Allyson Wood to her 2016-17 recruiting class.
Anit Stepanenko - Swimming, Tallinn, Estonia
Stepanenko attends the Lasnamäe Russian Gymnasium in Tallinn, and has been a participant of the Europe Junior Olympic Festival, Baltic Championship, and Junior European Championship. Is a repeated young, junior and national champion, as well. Holds the 50M butterfly Junior National record in the long course, and the 50 and 100M butterfly Junior and National records in the short course.
"I am very excited to get Anita in here to put into action in January. We were shooting to get her here for the fall, but unforeseen circumstances prevented that. She is going to help us immensely in the 50 and 100 free, and 100 fly. She could potentially be a go-to swimmer in the 200 fly, but we will focus primarily on her sprint events, as a team can never have too many sprinters. They are crucial for relays, which she will deepen the talent considerably. If she transitions as good as Valeria did, we will have a top three conference contender on our hands. She will arrive late December, and we will get her going immediately with the transition during our winter training."
Bree Harris - Swimming, Melbourne, Australia
Bree Harris currently attends the Kooning Secondary College, and is multi-year state champion in Victoria. In both 2013 and 2015, she was named the State Champion in the 100 and 200M breaststroke, short course. Has been a state medalist since 2013, and qualified seventh in Australian Age Championships for both 100 and 200M breaststroke. Finished second at All Schools Nationals for Australia in 2013 for both the 100 and 200M breaststroke as well. Currently, her fastest time for the 100 yard breast is 1:03.65, and 2:17.69 for the 200 yard breast. In 2015, Bree was named the State Champion for both 100 and 200M breast for 17/18 year olds. Earned the Kew Swimming Club Coaches Award in both 2013 and 14 for her club team accomplishments.
"I also can't wait to get Bree on campus for second semester. She will also arrive late December, and we will start her transition right away during our winter training. Australia has a rich history in swimming, so she comes from an excellent background with a wealth of knowledge in the sport and her events. She is really going to help us in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, and we will work on her 200 IM to make that a stronger third event. I have every bit of confidence that she can score in our WAC Championships. Bree, like Anita, will deepen the pool of breaststrokers to choose from for the Medley Medley Relays."
Allyson Wood - Diving, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Wood is currently a student at Trabuco Hills. She has made the Junior Olympic USA Nationals every year since 2009. She was a California State qualifier in 2015, and was named her club team (Mission Viejo Nadadores) captain for the 2015-16 year. Wood was also named Athlete of the Month in May 2014. For club, she went to the 2015 AAU Nationals in all events, including a seventh place finish on platform.
"Ally is going to be a great contribution to this team," diving coach Chelsea Popplewell said. "She brings a light and upbeat personality which will only add to the energy we already have. She also brings al of of high level of experience to UNC; she is not only a very competitive springboard diver, having competed at JO Nationals every year since 2009, but she has a lot of experience on platform, too. She'll definitely come in and be very competitive in our conference right from the beginning. We can't wait to get her here and see what she can do."
