June 30, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame head coach Brian Barnes recently announced the addition of 10 student-athletes set to join the women’s swimming and diving team while continuing their academic careers at the University starting in the fall of 2011.
“The 10 student-athletes that make up the class of 2015 come to Notre Dame with a long list of achievements and accolades,” Barnes said. “They are bright, they are talented, and they all share a passion for our sport and for the University of Notre Dame.
“Of course, no matter how heralded an incoming class may be, the true measure of recruiting success can only be measured four years from now. I believe that these young women have the skill set required to excel at the highest level and it is my hope that four years from now their individual and collective achievements will overshadow anything they have done to date.
“Not only am I excited about the class of 2015, I am excited for the class of 2015. Our team culture and identity has come a long way in my first three years at Notre Dame. In becoming members of our program, these 10 young women become part of a very, very special extended family. I cannot wait for them to join in with our rising sophomores, juniors and seniors.”
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Suzanne Bessire (Orlando, Fla. / Lake Highland Prep)
Top Times: 200 free (1:48.48), 100 free (50.90), 50 free (23.99).
Accolades: High school All-American (100 free, 200 free), first team all-Central Florida, state runner-up in 100 and 200 free.
Barnes on Bessire: “After just one day on campus, Suzanne was confident that Notre Dame was the school for her. Sometimes when you know, you know! We were all thrilled and honored that her college search came to a close on such a short timeline. Suzanne is a hard-worker who is driven to achieve. She has the ability to listen to her instincts without ignoring the big picture around her. That kind of poise and awareness is a significant asset for a competitor.”
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Hannah Bowen (Lake Elmo, Minn. / Stillwater High School)
Top Times: 50 free (22.73), 100 free (49.78), 200 free (1:48.79).
Accolades: U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, All-American, Minnesota high school record holder in 50 and 100 free, three-time Minnesota state champion in 50 and 100 free.
Barnes on Bowen: “Hannah is a talented young lady with a competitive record which stands on its own. But what separates Hannah from the pack is a genuine spirit and enthusiasm for what she wants to achieve. Hannah had her pick of the top programs in the country; she identified Notre Dame as the place where her potential would be best developed. She is not one to back down from a challenge and she is not afraid to think big. That will serve her well at Notre Dame.”
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Allison Casareto (La Habra Heights, Calif. / Troy High School)
Accolades: 2011 World Championship Trials qualifier (1-meter), fourth-place finish in 1-meter at 2010 USA Diving Junior Nationals.
Head diving coach Caiming Xie on Casareto: “Allison is not only talented but she is a hard worker. That `work’ factor is what will enable her to continue to improve throughout college. I proud to have her join the Notre Dame family and looking forward to working with her for the next four years.”
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Bridget Casey (Lower Gywnedd, Pa. / Germantown Academy)
Top Times: 200 fly (2:00.17 / 2:15.76 LCM), 100 fly (55.81), 500 free (4:53.65).
Accolades: U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier.
Barnes on Casey: “Bridget was described by her club coach as the hardest worker at Germantown Academy. Coming from a two-time ASCA Coach of the Year who has developed 11 Olympians, that’s not a comment to be taken lightly. We are thrilled to officially welcome Bridget to the Notre Dame family. She will make this tradition her own.”
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Erin Foley (Foxboro, Mass. / Bishop Feehan High School)
Top Times: 500 free (4:52.38), 1,000 free (10:00.77), 1,650 free (16:43.55).
Accolades: Academic All-American, 2010 Massachusetts DII state champion in 200 free and 500 free.
Barnes on Foley: “Erin is an incredibly bright young lady who understands the value of hard work in all that she does. I can’t think of a better foundation of beliefs for a developing distance swimmer. When Erin told us we were her top choice it came as a high compliment. She has everything one needs to achieve at the highest levels at Notre Dame.”
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Molly Geraghty (Dunlap, Ill. / Peoria Notre Dame High School)
Accolades: Illinois Mid-State 6 Conference Champion, sectional running-up, state qualifier, team captain.
Xie on Geraghty: “Molly is a very bright student and hard work diver. Molly has not fully developed as a diver and has room to improve and polish her dives. She is looking forward to the academic and athletic challenges at Notre Dame.”
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Emma Reaney (Lawrence, Kansas / Lawrence High School)
Top Times: 100 breast (1:02.57 / 1:12.11 LCM), 200 breast (2:15.84), 200 IM (2:00.86), 400 IM (4:18.85).
Accolades: U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier.
Barnes on Reaney: “Emma is a highly intelligent individual and a very sharp competitor. She is an achiever, without question, but here’s what I like best about Emma: spend a little time with her and it becomes very clear that she is driven to achieve at an elite level and she is going to have a lot of fun in the process. I love being able to say that about the women on my team.”
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Jordan Russell (Columbus, Ohio/ Upper Arlington High School)
Accolades: Top-10 age group finish at USA Nationals, third-place showing at Ohio state championships, team captain.
Xie on Russell: “Jordan joins Notre Dame swimming and diving team with a fresh energy and excitement. She is ready for the hard work and is willing to learn new techniques and new dives to maximize her personal potential. Notre Dame is Jordan’s dream University; she felt that we best fit her athletic and academic needs. I couldn’t agree more.”
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Melissa Scott (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams High School)
Events: 200 fly (2:00.06), 400 IM (4:23.91), 100 fly (56.19 / 1:03.36 LCM).
Accolades: Academic All-American.
Barnes on Scott: “Melissa is a very determined young lady who will contribute to our fly and individual medley depth over the next four years. Within the first few hours of her official visit, Melissa displayed significant enthusiasm for Notre Dame and our swimming and diving program. Melissa comes to Notre Dame determined to achieve on many levels. I am excited to work with her.”
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Courtney Whyte (Lafayette, Calif. / Campolindo High School)
Top Times: 100 fly (55.98), 200 fly (2:02.35).
Barnes on Whyte: “It’s great to see another student-athlete from California find their place at Notre Dame. Courtney comes to us highly endorsed by her club coach, Ron Heidary of Orinda Aquatics. Coach Heidary described her as a person of impeccable character – that counts for a lot in my book. She has improved tremendously through her high school years and is coming off a very encouraging meet at the CIFs. She was voted as the most inspirational swimmer for both her high school and club teams.”
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