Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Six Student-Athletes
12/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Alabama head swimming and diving coach Eric McIlquham announced the signing of six athletes to national letters of intent in the recent early signing period.
The athletes will make up McIlquham's first class as the Crimson Tide's head coach. Michael Jones, Stephanie Johnson, Andy Neff, Kim Singer, Erin Sparks and Greg St. Cyr are all set to join Alabama for the 2004-05 season.
Jones, a native of Klein, Texas, is a senior at Klein High School. A sprinter, Jones is an 11-time All-American and a two-time captain at Klein. As a freshman he helped lead Klein to a runner-up finish at the state championships, he also set three freshman records. He swims for Tom Harwood at Klein and Clayton Cagle at Cy-Fair Swim Club. He is the son of Thomas and Donna Jones.
"The team has great chemistry, cohesiveness and wonderful diversity," Jones said. "And the enthusiasm and honesty displayed by coach McIlquham and coach (Sonya) Porter was very comforting."
Stephanie Johnson
An Alabama native, Johnson hails from Huntsville where she attends Huntsville High School. She competes for Brooke Pate at Huntsville Swim Association. Johnson is the 2003 100 freestyle Southern Zone Champion.
She is a member of the state record holding 200 medley relay as well as earning All-Metro and All-City distinction. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Cheryl Johnson.
Andy Neff
Neff is a native of Chesterland, Ohio and attends University School. He swims for Brian Perry at University School and Jerry Holtrey at the Lake Erie Silver Dolphins Swim Club. University School's MVP as a junior, Neff holds three school records as well as serving as team captain this season. He is the 2003 district champion in 100 butterfly. He is the son of Doug and Sue Neff.
"For me the University of Alabama was everything I wanted in a school both academically and athletically," Neff said. "On my visit, the academic advisor made it very obvious that the University has many great areas of study."
Kim Singer
Singer lives in Garden City, N.Y. and attends Garden City High School where she swims for Anne Sullivan. Singer competes for Dave Ferris at Long Island Aquatic Club. A state qualifying champion the 500 freestyle in 2003, she is a member of the National Honor Society. She is All-County and All-Conference. She is the daughter of Wesley and Carolyn Singer.
"I have always wanted to attend a southern school," Singer said. "The closeness and spirit of the Alabama team had a big impact on my decision. All together I felt more comfortable and at home in my surroundings in Alabama than at any other school I visited."
Erin Sparks
Sparks in a native of Carmel, Ind. and attends Carmel High School. She trains under Tom Burchill at Carmel Swim Club. She has led Carmel to three consecutive state championships. The defending Indiana state 100 breaststroke champion, Neff is a six-time All-American and three-year All-State. She is Carmel High's Scholar-Athlete for the past three years. She is the daughter of Eric and Valerie Sparks.
"I love that Tuscaloosa is such a 'college town'," Sparks said. "The defining reason for choosing 'Bama was the swim coaches. They are energetic, motivational, enthusiastic and sincere."
Greg St. Cyr
St. Cyr, a native of Houston, Texas, and a teammate of fellow signee Jones, attends Memorial High School where he swims for Karen Milkosky. He also competes for Cy-Fair Swim Club under Clayton Cagle. A two-time All-American, St. Cyr serves as captain for the Memorial swim team. Led Cy-Fair to the 2003 Long Course Sectional Championship. He is the son of Charles and Jan St. Cyr.
"I was overwhelmed with the friendliness displayed by the coaches and the athletes," St. Cyr, "and the beauty of the campus which is actually very important to me."
