June 5, 2009

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Calling his incoming recruiting class "the best in the history of the program," head swimming and diving coach Rick Simpson today announced eight newcomers who will join the Villanova women's swimming team for the coming year. The group of eight individuals features two state champions and a Junior National finalist as well as international representation.

"This is the best incoming class we have ever had," Simpson said. "These eight swimmers immediately improve our program across the board and we are looking forward to the contributions they will make along with the student-athletes that are already here."

Below are capsules of each of the eight swimmers to sign National Letters of Intent with Villanova.

Hayley Edwards (Pilesgrove, N.J.)

• New Jersey state champion in the 200 yard freestyle (1:51.30)
• Expected to contribute in the 500 freestyle (4:53.15) and 1650 freestyle (16:45.16)
• Also has posted solid times in the 200 butterfly (2:00.23) and 400 individual medley (4:23.81)

Coach Simpson on Edwards: "Hayley will be an immediate impact performer in the middle distance and distance events. She is a versatile swimmer who will contribute to us in a number of different events."

Laura McLaughlin (West Chester, Pa.)

• Pennsylvania state champion in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:03.17)
• Improved her time in the 100 yard breaststroke by nearly two seconds in one season
• Also lowered her personal best in the 200 yard breaststroke by nearly eight seconds

Coach Simpson on McLaughlin: "Laura is an up-and-coming swimmer who has demonstrated a great deal of improvement in her events in just one season. Her best swimming is yet to come."

Gretchen Hestley (Solon, Ohio)

• Capable of making an impact on the team's sprint relay units
• Provides overall depth to the Wildcats sprint core
• Owns a top time of 51.96 in the 100 freestyle

Coach Simpson on Hestley: "Gretchen comes from a great club background and will really blossom in college. We look for her to bolster our sprint relays while continuing to branch out into other events as well."

Leigh Anne Patterson (Cherry Hill, N.J.)

• Middle distance and distance swimmer in the freestyle who will also swim the butterfly
• Top events are the 500 freestyle (4:59.66) and 200 butterfly (2:03.81)

Coach Simpson on Patterson: "Leigh Anne comes to Villanova with a great training background. Over the last year, her training has enabled her to show great improvement in her top events."

Summer Cook (Loveland, Colo.)

• Adds depth to an already deep distance and middle distance program
• Top times have come in the 200 freestyle (1:54.89) and 1650 freestyle (17:05.28)
• Versatility also includes the 400 individual medley (4:29.33)

Coach Simpson on Cook: "Summer has great versatility, ranging from her freestyle events to the 400 IM. She is a great addition to the tradition of distance swimmers that we have at Villanova."

Natalie Elphick (Durban, South Africa)

• Brings experience to the team's core of sprint swimmers
• Has posted solid times in the 50 free (23.17 seconds, converted) and 100 free(50.90, converted)

Coach Simpson on Elphick: "Natalie is a great addition to our sprint core. She will immediately bolster our sprint relays and we look for her to have an immediate impact at the conference championships in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

Roxy Tammadge (Durban, South Africa)

• Middle distance freestyle swimmer
• Capable of contributing to the team in a variety of events
• Top converted times have come in the 100 free (51.77), 200 free (1:50.91) and 500 free (4:55.46)

Coach Simpson on Tammadge: "Roxy will immediately impact all aspects of our program, beginning with the sprint events and also including the middle distance events and relays."

Erin Malone (New South Wales, Australia)

• Will make an immediate impact for Villanova in the breaststroke events
• Top times include the 100 breaststroke (1:01.46, converted) and 200 breaststroke (2:17.27 converted)

Coach Simpson on Malone: "Erin certainly walks in the door with the potential to become a conference champion and NCAA scorer during her first year of competition. She will compete for us in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events."

VILLANOVA WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING
Summary of Incoming Student-Athletes (2009-10)

Hayley Edwards	            200 freestyle	        1:51.30
	                    500 freestyle	        4:53.15
	                    1650 freestyle	        16:45.16
	                    100 butterfly	        57.63
	                    200 butterfly	        2:00.23
	                    200 individual medley	2:06.56
	                    400 individual medley	4:23.81
Summer Cook	            200 freestyle	        1:54.89
	                    500 freestyle	        4:59.41
	                    1650 freestyle	        17:05.28
	                    200 backstroke	        2:06.93
	                    400 individual medley	4:29.33
Laura McLaughlin	    100 breaststroke	        1:03.17
	                    200 breaststroke	        2:18.22
	                    200 individual medley	2:09.28
Leigh Anne Patterson	    200 freestyle	        1:53.72
	                    500 freestyle	        4:59.66
	                    200 butterfly	        2:03.81
Gretchen Hestley	    50 freestyle	        24.21
	                    100 freestyle 	        51.96
	                    200 freestyle	        1:53.60
	                    100 backstroke 	        59.41
Natalie Elphick	            50 freestyle	        23.17*
	                    100 freestyle	        50.90
	                    200 freestyle	        1:52.44
Roxy Tammadge	            100 freestyle	        51.77*
	                    200 freestyle	        1:50.91
	                    500 freestyle	        4:55.46
Erin Malone	            100 breaststroke	        1:01.46*
	                    200 breaststroke	        2:17.27
* - NCAA conversions lcm to scy