Wheeling, WV, August 17, 2010—The Wheeling Jesuit Swimming Program had an unprecedented year of recruiting, as eight women and eight men committed to swim for Jesuit during the 2010-11 season.
“This is a very talented freshman class, and we look to continue to improve during the 2010-11 season,” said Rick West, Head Swimming Coach.
“The freshman in this class will help us to raise our current level of competition move closer to our goals,” West said.
- Lydia Kidd, Charleston, WV, is a four-time West Virginia State Meet Qualifier in the 100 Breaststroke, 200 Individual Medley, 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle Relays. She was the State Runner-up twice in the 100 Breaststroke and a YMCA National Qualifier in the 100 Breaststroke and was the WV LSC Long Course and Short Course 100 Breaststroke Champion in 2009 and 2010. In addition, Lydia was a Southern Zone Qualifier in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke and the 200 Freestyle. She served as Charleston Catholic High School’s team captain and was a member of the French Club.
- Brianna Sieck, Reading, PA, is a Pennsylvania State Meet Qualifier in the 100 Backstroke, 200 Freestyle, and the 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays. She was a member of the District Three Championship 200 Freestyle and also played Water Polo for Muhlenberg High School. Brianna was captain of both squads during her senior year. She participated in the Model UN and the Debate Club. With her proficiency in Latin, she earned a score of Magna Cum Laude.
- Kelci Rullo, Davidsville, PA, is a YMCA National Qualifier for the 200 and 800 meter Freestyle Events, a District 6 and 9 Regional Qualifier and Pennsylvania State Qualifier in the 200 and 500 yard Freestyle events. Kelci was the captain of the Conemaugh Township High School Swim Team both her junior and senior years. She is a National Honor Society member and the President of Students Against Destructive Decisions.
- Paige Carpenetti, Cambridge, OH, was a YMCA Qualifier in the 100 Backstroke as well as a Great Lakes Zone Qualifier in the 50 Backstroke, 100 Backstroke, and 200 Backstroke. She has also qualified for the Ohio State Swimming Championships and was an OVAC Champion in the 100 Backstroke. Paige has been a conference champion in the ECOL for the 200 Freestyle and a SEOL champion 100 Backstroke. She was named Academic All-American and Academic All-Ohio during her senior season. During her career at Cambridge High School, she has been The Most Valuable Swimmer all four seasons. She has been Class President all four years, President of the National Honor Society her senior year, and has been on the Principle’s list all four years.
- Meghan Ebbert, Adena, OH, was an Ohio State Meet Qualifier in the 500 Freestyle. She has been an OVAC Champion in the 200 IM, 200 Free, 500 Free and 100 Breaststroke. Meghan was also a YMCA National Qualifier in the 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle Relays. Individually, she qualified for the Great Lakes YMCA Zone meet in the 200 Free, Free, 200 Breast, 50 Breast, and the 100 Breast. She was the Bellaire St. John’s Swim Team captain all four years and was involved in the INTERACT and Environmental Clubs. In addition, Meghan was a letter winner on the Cross Country Team all four years.
- Brandi Bahmer, Barnesville, OH, was an Ohio District Qualifier in the 50 and 100 Freestyles and in the 200, Free, 200 Medley, and 400 Freestyle Relays. She made All-Times Leader Swim Team for the past three seasons. Brandi was team captain for the Barnesville High School Swimming Team her senior season. She was the High Point winner for the Barnesville High School Team her junior and senior years. She was President of the National Honor Society, Head Editor of the school yearbook, President of the Key Club, Senior Class Secretary. Brandi was also a two year letter winner in Volleyball.
- Rebecca McDaniel, Wintersville, OH, qualified for Ohio State Districts in the 200 Freestyle Relay. Rebecca was also a member of two OVAC Championship Teams while at Steubenville Catholic Central. She was the team captain her senior season. She was a four-year Varsity Letter Winner while a member of Crusader Swimming. She is a two year Academic Letter Winner and a member of the National Honor Society who appeared on the schools honor roll all four years. She is the Vice-President of the schools Catholic Daughter’s Club, a member of S.A.D.D., a member of the foreign language club and the drama club. She is also the Sierra Club Award winner at Holy Family Church in Steubenville, OH.
- Caitlin Lough, Martins Ferry, OH, was an Ohio District Qualifier in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay and Individually in the 100 Butterfly. She has been an OVAC Champion in the 400 Freestyle Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relays. She was also a member of the Martins Ferry Team Title in 2010. She is a four year letter winner and a two time member of the All-Times Leader team. Caitlin was team captain her senior year. She is an Academic Letter Winner and was Vice-President of French Club and Chi Phi. She is a four year member of student council and is Editor of the school’s yearbook.
- Evan Walker, Charleston, WV, qualified for YMCA Nationals in the 400 IM, 1650 Freestyle, 1000 Freestyle, 200 Butterfly and the 500 Freestyle events. Evan was the 2010 WV State Champion in the 500 Freestyle and was a member of George Washington High School’s winning 400 Freestyle Relay. Evan has also won WV LSC Championships in the 500 Freestyle, 1000 Freestyle, 400 IM, and 1650 Freestyle Events. He was a member of the WV All-State team for 2010.
- Ryan Palopoli, Richfield, OH, is an Ohio Sectional Champion in the 500 Freestyle. Ryan was an Ohio State Qualifier in the 400 Freestyle Relay and 200 Individual Medley, and a three year Varsity Letter Winner for Revere High School. He is also a member of the relay which holds the record in the 400 Freestyle Relay. Ryan was a member of the Ecology Club and was an honors student at Revere High School.
- Jesse Kubanet, Frisco, TX, was a 100 Fly, 200 FR, 200MR, and 400 FR Qualifier for the UIL 4A Texas State Meet, and attained All-State Honors in all events. He was an Academic All-American in his senior year at Frisco-Wakeland High School, was the only member to compete all four years on the inaugural swim team. He was a Sectional Qualifier in the 100 Butterfly for USA Swimming, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
- Evan Barrow, Murrieta, CA, is a transfer from Orange Coast Community College. He was a California State College finalist in the 200 Breaststroke. During his high school career, he was the Sunbelt League Champion in the 100 Backstroke for his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. Evan was team captain for Murrieta Valley High School his senior season. He was a CIF finalist in the 100 Backstroke.
- Jack MacKinnon, Fairfield, OH, was a GCL first team All-Conference competitor while at St. Xavier High School. He won the 100 Breaststroke and was a member of the winning 200 Medley Relay. He was also awarded the Sea-Wolf award from his club team for his sophomore and junior seasons. He received a Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin exam, and received either first or second honors all four years of his high school career at St. X. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and won Wheeling Jesuit’s Prestigious Laut Award.
- Kyle Rhodes, Gallipolis, OH, was an Ohio Sectional Champion in the 100 Breaststroke. He was the Ohio Southeast District Champion his senior season in the 100 Breaststroke and qualified for the Ohio State Meet in the 100 Breaststroke and 50 Freestyle events. Kyle was a Top 16 finisher in the USA Swimming Southern Zone Championship meet in the 100 Breaststroke. He was captain of the Gallia Academy High School Swimming Team for three seasons, and was on the school’s Academic Honor Roll.
- Clayton Smith, Massillon, OH, was a YMCA National Qualifier in the 100 Breaststroke and 100 Butterfly. He was a four year Ohio District Qualifier in the 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM, 100 Freestyle, and all three of Jackson High School’s Relays. Clay received first team All-Federal League Honors his junior and senior years. He was a Team Captain his senior year at Jackson, and was named MVP his junior and senior years. He was All-Stark County as a junior and senior, and currently holds the school record in the 100 Butterfly. He is an Eagle Scout with Troop 935 and is a Vigil Member of his Council’s Order of the Arrow.
- Robyn MacKenzie, Palm Bay, FL, was a four year letter winner for Melbourne High School. He qualified for Senior Champs in the 100 Fly and 200 Breaststroke. He was a consolation finalist in the 200 Breaststroke. Robyn graduated with Honors from Melbourne.
The Cardinals will open up the 2010-11 season at the Red/Gold Alumni Meet at 1 p.m., October 2nd, which will be on Jesuit’s campus at the “Bird Bath.”
