Women's Swimming and Diving Announces Incoming Class for Fall

DURHAM, N.H. – Josh Willman, head coach of the University of New Hampshire women's swimming and diving team, and his staff recently announced that eight student-athletes have committed to UNH for the fall.

"This is one of our largest and most experienced incoming classes to date made up of student-athletes from both across the country and internationally," Willman said. "With the graduation of some of our top point scorers, it was important that we bring in talent that would have an immediate impact on the program at the conference level. This class has both the depth that we need and some of the fastest incoming freshmen that we have ever signed and we are excited to see where our program can take them."

Nicole Anderson, a 5-foot-9-inch backstroker/freestyler from Dover, N.H., comes to UNH after swimming for Phillips Exeter Academy and the Seacoast Swimming Association. The team captain is fresh off an MVP season in which she placed 4^th in the 100-yard back and 6^th in the 200-yard free at the New England Prep School Swimming Championships. Additionally, her 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relays both finished in second place at the meet. While competing for SSA, Anderson qualified for the New England Open, as well as the Southern Zone Speedo Champions Series.

Kyle Bonus, a 5-foot-3-inch diver from Philadelphia, Pa., will join the Wildcats after competing for William Penn Charter High School. She also dove with Centennial Aquatics, qualifying for the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships. Bonus earned All-Inter-academic honors each year and was selected as the Swimming/Diving MVP during her junior campaign.

Oneida Cooper, a 5-foot-7-inch backstroker/IMer from Johannesburg, South Africa joins the 'Cats after swimming for the Bishop Bavin Seals and Vineyards club teams along with her high school, the St. Andrews School for Girls. Cooper is nationally ranked in South Africa with substantial international experience. In 2010 she competed in the Mare Nostrum Series in Spain and France, the Youth Olympics in Singapore and another invitational meet in Italy. Cooper was invited to the All-African Junior Championships in Mauritius in 2009 and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India in 2008. Additionally, she represented S.A. at the Sub-Saharan International in Namibia, the S.A. Age-Group Nationals and the S.A. Open Senior Nationals. Cooper is a versatile swimmer who can score in any number of events.

Emily Magnavita, a 5-foot-8-inch freestyler from South Glastonbury, Conn. joins her older sister Elizabeth on the Wildcat squad this year. A four-time school record holder at Glastonbury High, Magnavita also swims for Charter Oak Aquatics where she has qualified for Age Groups, Connecticut Opens and Sectionals. Magnavita will add depth in all sprint and middle distance free events.

Katie Mann, a 5-foot-9-inch nationally ranked breaststroker/IMer from Prince George, B.C., is coming off a stint with the Prince George Barracuda Swim Club where she was recently inducted into the sports hall of fame. Katie was the 2010 British Columbia Provincial Champion in the 200 breast and the 400 IM and at the 2010 Western Canadian Championships she earned bronze in the 200 breast and placed 6^th in both the 200 and 400 IM. Most recently she placed 5th at the Paul Bergen International in the 400 IM and 8^th in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Mann has also qualified for the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials, 2009 Canadian World Trials, 2010 Senior Summer Nationals and 2011 Canadian World Trials.

Adria Morales, a 5-foot-5-inch flyer/backstroker from Canyon Country, Calif. comes to UNH after swimming for Canyon High School and Class Aquatics. During her stint with CHS she earned MVP honors and was a relay All-American. Morales also qualified for a host of meets including; Junior Nationals, the Janet Evans Invitational, and the Speedo Grand Prix Series. Additionally, because of her dual citizenship she has had the opportunity to compete in the Mexico National Olympiad and the North American Challenge Cup.

Megan Suffel, a 5-foot-5-inch flyer/freestyler from Cornwall, Ontario, comes to the University of New Hampshire after swimming for the Cornwall Sea Lions club team. During her time with the Sea Lions she collected Swimmer of the Year honors in 2008 and 2009. Suffel has qualified for Senior Nationals in three events and was a three-time finalist at Age Group Nationals as a junior. She also qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials, 2009 World Trials and the 2010 Pan Pacific Trials.

Kathryn Violette, a 5-foot-8-inch flyer/freestyler from Westbrook, Maine, joins the Wildcats after swimming for the Westbrook High Blue Blazes and the Westbrook Seals club team. For Westbrook High, the two-time captain earned team MVP honors in 2008, 2010 and 2011. She also was a nominee for Swimmer of the Year, was selected as the recipient of the Harold Paulson and Dennis Connolly Award, while also earning performer of the meet honors at the SMAA Southwestern Championships. For her club team the Seals, Violette qualified for Eastern Zones, Speedo Southern Sectionals, Speedo Southern Zone Sectionals and New England Championships.

View: Mobile | Desktop