Dec. 17, 2007
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa Swimming Coach Marc Long, and his staff have announced the signing of five recruits during the fall signing period. Joining the men’s team will be Paul Gordon, Duncan Partridge, and Ryan Phelan. The women’s team will add Daniela Cubelic and Dana Davidsen.
Head Coach Marc Long is excited with the signees: “The addition of these five swimmers will have an immediate impact on our program. Several of the individuals are already highly successful competing at the national level. One is a current member of the U.S. National Junior Team. We’re looking forward to working with these recruits to achieve their academic and athletic peak. This is an exciting time in our program as we continue to add individuals committed to competing at the highest levels of swimming.”
Paul Gordon
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
High School: Washington
Paul’s recent accomplishments include being named to the U.S. National Junior Team, qualifying for Olympic Trials, being named Washington High School Athlete of the Year, and winning the South Dakota State Championship. He currently holds over 25 South Dakota State records. He’s extremely versatile and competed in 7 individual events at last summer’s U.S. Junior National Championships. Last summer, he was the ninth fastest 200m IM swimmer, the 22nd ranked 100m butterfly, and the 26th ranked 100m freestyle for 17 & under U.S. swimmers. Paul’s club coach is Lindsie Micko with the Snowfox Swim Club. Both of Paul’s parents were collegiate athletes. His mother swam and his father played baseball for South Dakota State University.
Coach Long: “Paul’s tremendous talent to excel in numerous events will definitely strengthen the depth of our team. He currently excels in the IM, fly, and freestyle events. He’s a well coached and highly motivated athlete with a tremendous future”
Duncan Partridge
Hometown: Lake Forest, IL
High School: Adlai Stevenson
A decorated and developing sprinter, Duncan competed at last summer’s U.S. Junior Nationals. He’s been selected to the all-State and all-Conference teams, voted team MVP, and elected a team captain. Duncan also captained his Stevenson high schools water polo team. Duncan’s club coach is Maureen Sheehan with the Lake Forest Swim Club and his High School coach is Susan Whitehouse.
Coach Long: “Duncan comes from a well established and successful program with outstanding coaching. We look for him to be a major contributor and a key component to our relays. His natural speed will immediately impact the Iowa team.”
Ryan Phelan
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
High School: Washington
Ryan is a relay and individual high school all-American, and an All-State selection as a sophomore and junior. He was elected Team Captain and MVP as a junior. Ryan led his team to runner-up status in the 2006 and 2007 Iowa State Meets with a 4th and 2nd place finish in the 50 freestyle as a sophomore and junior, respectively, as well as a 4th place in the 100 breaststroke as a junior. He’s part of two school records for the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay. Last summer, Ryan was ranked as the 6th fastest, 17 yr. old and under, 50 meter freestyler in the nation. Ryan’s club coach is Bobby Kelly with the Cedar Rapids Aquatic Association, and his high school coach is Chris Cruise.
Coach Long: “Ryan is truly one of the quickest swimmers to come out of the Iowa high school ranks. He had a tremendous summer and is on his way to another successful season. He’ll have an immediate impact in the sprint events.”
Daniela Cubelic
Hometown: Glenview, IL
High School: Glenbrook South
Daniela is a three time all-State selection, all-American, and team MVP. Daniela is a state champion in the 200 freestyle relay and a conference champion in the 100 and 200 freestyle. Daniela also has runner up finishes at the state meet in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle relay. She is the school record holder in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 IM, and all relay events. Daniela’s high school coach is Kelly Timson, and club coach, Vladimir Pyshnenko with the Northbrook Spartan Swim Club.
Coach Long: “Daniela exemplifies the physical and mental attributes we look for in our program. She’s a great racer and has demonstrated the ability to swim in a variety of events. Daniela has had a strong background of great club and high school coaching. She is poised to be a major competitor in the Big Ten and NCAA.”
Dana Davidsen
Hometown: Libertyville, IL
High School: Libertyville
Dana is a four time state qualifier and was the high school sectional champion in the 100 breaststroke as a junior. She has runner-up conference finishes in the 200 freestyle relay as a freshman, 100 breaststroke as a sophomore, 100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay as a junior, and the 100 breaststroke as a senior. Dana is the Libertyville High School school record holder in the 100 breaststroke, the 200 medley relay, and the 400 freestyle relay. Dana’s mother, Ann, swam for the University of Alabama. Dana’s high school coach is Maggie Casteleyn, and her club coach is Maureen Sheehan with the Lake Forest Swim Club.
Coach Long: “Dana will add great depth to our breaststroke events. She’s had some great development with her high school and club. We’re looking forward to her continued development at Iowa.”
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