Dec. 10, 2004
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa women’s Swimming Coach Marc Long has announced the signing of four recruits during the early signing period. Alison Gschwend, Meghan Sievertsen, Emily Hoefler and Ashley Dell all signed National Letters of Intend to attend the University of Iowa.
“The signing of these four outstanding competitors is a great step in our quest to build the foundation for a successful and exciting program in the pool and the classroom.”
Gschwend, a native of Champaign, IL, comes to the Hawkeyes from Centennial High School. She is a five-time all-American and a three-time Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete award winner. She was second at the 2004 Illinois state meet in the 100 backstroke (56.5) and took fourth in the same event in 2003. She also placed seventh in the 100 back at the YMCA Nationals in 2003. The National Honor Society and Student Council member was a 10-time Twin-City conference champion, an eight-time Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sectional champion, a nine-time IHSA state qualifier.
“Alison is an experienced competitor and an outstanding student. She’ll have an immediate impact on our team and Conference as a backstroker and individual medley specialist. We’re excited to have such a developing national level competitor join the Hawkeyes.”
Sievertsen is a three-time Iowa state diving champion from Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, IA. She was first-team all-state three times and first-team all-metro four times. A three-time Kennedy High School diving MVP, Sievertsen has recorded the third highest six-dive score and the third highest state diving competition score in state history. She was named Conference Athlete of the Year and was selected to the academic all-conference team. Meghan is a National Honor Society member.
“We’re thrilled to keep Meghan in the state of Iowa as a Hawkeye. She adds great depth to our traditionally strong diving group. I know Coach Rydze is excited to work with such a talented and blossoming athlete.”
Hoefler, a native of Bollingbrook, IL, comes to the Hawkeyes from Downers Grove High School where she was an all-state competitor in 2003 and 2004. Voted team MVP in 2003 and 2004, Hoefler is also the Conference and Downers Grove record holder in the 100 free, 200 free, 200 free relay and the 400 free relay and was the conference champion in the 100 free, 200 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay in 2004. At the 2004 Illinois state meet, Hoefler took sixth in the 100 free, seventh in the 200 free, 10th in the 400 free relay and 12th in the 200 free relay. As a junior, Hoefler was named an all-American in the 100 free, was conference champion in the 100 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Hoefler is a National Honor Society member.
“Emily fits the mold of a hard-working, competitive swimmer who will have a strong impact on our freestyle and sprint groups. Our staff is eager to work with Emily as she continues to excel as a swimmer. We look for Emily to become great contributor as a Hawkeye.”
Dell, a native of Lake Forest, IL, competed for both the Lake Forest High School team as well as the Lake Forest Swim Club. As a junior, Dell took ninth place at the Illinois state meet in the 500 free and was honorable mention all-state. She was also named first-team all-conference in 2003 and helped her high school win a state championship in 2002 and 2003. Dell was also a member of the 2003 Lake Forest state-champion lacrosse team.
“Ashley will be a much needed addition to our distance group. She comes from a strong background in one of the Midwest’s great swimming programs. She’s a hard-working, dedicated, and successful competitor who is continuing to develop in all of her events.”