MSU Swimming and Diving Signs 11 Recruits
11/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Nov. 28, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State swimming and diving coach Jim Lutz has announced the signing of 11 swimmers to National Letters of Intent for the 2001-02 school year. The group - eight women and three men -will be freshmen next year.
"Each of these athletes will make an immediate impact on our program and each possess the athletic talents, academic qualities and personal stability to be great leaders down the road" said the first-year Spartan head coach. "The caliber and quantity of this class is an indication of the tremendous groundwork done by (assistant coaches) Matt Gianiodis, Christie Shefchunas, Rich Mull and (head diving coach) John Narcy.
"Having the quality of coaches on deck that are currently in place would make any head coach look very good."
WOMEN'S RECRUITS (times and events in parentheses)
Deanne Clayton -- Napoleon, Ohio (24.5 50 free, 53.8 100 free)
Lutz on Clayton, "At 6'2" Deanne can be an imposing individual. She is relatively inexperienced because of minimal years of year-round training. Her top-end speed is unlimited and I wouldn't be surprised to see her becoming an automatic point-scorer at the conference and NCAA level."
Alicia Copestick -- East Liverpool, Ohio (24.4 50 free, 52.88 100 free, 1:00 back)
Lutz on Copestick, "Alicia will be a strong asset for us in the relays and for quality depth in the sprints. She will also be used for the back and fly events. She will be a scoring threat in the very near future."
Jessica Henning -- Sandusky, Ohio (24.6 50 free 53.0 100 free, 57.3 fly)
Lutz on Henning, "I have not met many athletes who have wanted to attend a university as badly as Jessica wanted to be part of Michigan State. Jessica will factor into the sprint, relay and butterfly events. She already bleeds green and white and is a fighter. The university is lucky to have her."
Tamberly Jones -- Conyers, Ga. (Senior National qualifier - 26.7 free, 52.0 LCM, 57 fly and back)
Lutz on Jones, "Tammy is a major hitter. A definite anchor for relays, she brings so many talents to the table with her fly and backstroke. She gives us tremendous flexibility and options to mix and adjust relays to find the best combination. She has a competitive fire in her belly."
Jana Richardson -- Ventura, Calif. (52.0 100 free, 1:51.5 200 free, 4:26 400 LCM, 2:08 IM)
Lutz on Richardson, "Jana is not only a great athlete, but also carries a 4.0 GPA. We are looking to use her for middle distance events along with a multitude of relays and stroke events. She comes from a great background both physically and mentally and fully understands what it takes to perform a high level."
Amy Todd -- Center Grove, Ind. (53 100 free, 1:54 200 free)
Lutz on Todd, "Amy has been coached by her father, Jim, and has a great base and fundamental skills. She will be relied upon heavily to step up in the middle distance and distance events. I can easily see Amy contributing on relays. Amy really helps solidify what I consider an outstanding group of freestylers in this recruiting class."
Sarah Urbanik -- Bethel Park, Pa. (23.5 50 free, 51.4 100 free, 1:01 fly and back)
Lutz on Urbanik, "Sarah comes from a great program in Bethel Park coached by Bill Kennedy. A 3.97 GPA is just another reason Sarah may be one of the most complete athletes I have ever recruited. Sarah will hit the floor running when she arrives and go full-bore for the sake of the Spartans."
Jennifer Windstein -- Lancaster, Pa. (1:52.93 200 free, 4:56 500 free, 10:06 1000 free, 17:02 1650 free)
Lutz on Windstein, "Jennifer is a tremendous asset as she is able to be a factor from the middle distance through the distance events. She swims with a lot of heart and loves to race. Jennifer will not hesitate to challenge anyone and everyone in her training group."
MEN'S RECRUITS
Justin Laskowski -- Bay City, Mich. (Diver)
Narcy on Laskowski, "Justin has the physical strength to do the big dives necessary to compete at the both the Big Ten and national level. He is extremely coachable and pleasant to work with as he showed during his impressive performance at the MSU diving camp. He should make an immediate impact."
Joe Obringer, Glenview, Ill. (21 50 free, 46 100 free, 1:43 200 free)
Lutz on Obringer, "Joe will be used heavily from the middle distances down to the sprints. Relays are definitely in his near future. Joe is a valuable addition to our team with his athletic ability and his strong academic background. Joe will bring outstanding depth in a multitude of areas. I am excited about his future with the Spartan program."
Peter Politi, Newburgh N.Y. (21.6 50 free, 46.7 f100 free 1:40.3 200 free)
Lutz on Politi, "Peter is one of the top five or six seniors in the 200 free. He is the two-time defending state champion in the 200 free. It's not a matter of him breaking the high school record this year, but a matter of by how much. I see Peter as a Big Ten finalist all four years and also scoring at the NCAA Championships. We will set up his training for the next four years to focus on the Olympic Trials because he is the type of swimmer to give the Olympics serious consideration."