Alabama Women's Swimming Signees
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Katie Black
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ??The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving program signed Katie Black to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Eric McIlquham. Black will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2007-2008 season.
“Katie is a great young talent out of Las Vegas with a great feel for the water,” McIlquham said. “She has a great family and I’m really looking forward to working with her as I believe that she will be a great asset to our women’s team for the next four years.”
The 2006 Regional Swimmer of the Year, Black holds the Nevada state record in the 100 backstroke and won both state and regional titles in the 100 butterfly. She is also a member of the 2006 state champion 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
“The University of Alabama was by far the best choice for me,” Black said. “It brings an awesome athletic atmosphere and fantastic academic support for the athletes. It is also an extremely fun surrounding that I can not wait to be a part of.”
A native of Las Vegas, Nev., she attends Coranado High School where she swims for Brenda Tomtan-Brayman. Black also swims the Boulder City Henderson club team for Mike Polk.
Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Lauren Dunn
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ??The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving program signed Lauren Dunn to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Eric McIlquham. Dunn will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2007-08 season.
Lauren is going to be a good one,” McIlquham said. “She’s a competitor who has great technique and is very clean. Under Pat (Greenwell)’s guidance, she’ll have a chance to compete for a championships while she’s here.”
A 2005 and 2006 All-American, Dunn won the one-meter board at the 2006 AAU National championships and was second off the three-meter board. A semi-finalist at the 2006 U.S. Senior National Championships, she took second off the three-meter board at the 2005 AAU Nationals and set school and league records in 2006.
A native of San Diego, Calif., she competes for Taylor Made Divers under Dennis Taylor and attends Escondido Charter High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society.
Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Kate Gray
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ??The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving program signed Kate Gray to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Eric McIlquham. Gray will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2007-08 season.
“I have watched Kate swim and develop over the last four years,” McIlquham said. “She is extremely versatile and very capable in all events. Kate is a Crimson Tide legacy. Her father played football. I believe Kate will have a huge impact on our team over the next four years. Kate is the best female high school swimmer in the state of Alabama.”
Gray is a two-year USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and the 2005 Alabama State 200 freestyle champion.
“I chose Alabama because of family tradition,” Gray said. “Three generations before me have graduated from the University of Alabama and several family members have been student-athletes here. The Alabama tradition that I have grown up around has meant a lot to me academically and athletically. It will be an honor for me to compete as an athlete for the University of Alabama Swim Team and to contribute to a winning tradition.”
A native of Tuscaloosa, she attends Tuscaloosa County High School where she swims for Leslie Penn. Gray also swims for the Crimson Tide Aquatics club team for John Boxmeyer.
Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Jenna Montgomery
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ??The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving program signed Jenna Montgomery to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Eric McIlquham. Montgomery will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2007-2008 season.
“Swimming out of the Lakeside program Jenna has shown big drops in her times over the past two seasons,” McIlquham said. “She has great potential and is going to add strength in all aspects.”
A U.S. Junior National qualifier and two-year All-American, Montgomery won the 2006 Kentucky State 100 backstroke championships is a member of the state record holding 200 freestyle relay.
“I chose Alabama for its Southern atmosphere, great swim program, pretty campus and good food,” Montgomery said. “I really liked the coaches and the team members, the fact that it’s a top-50 public university... it just felt right.”
A native of Louisville, Ky., she attends Dupont Manual High School. Montgomery swims for the Lakeside Seahawks for Mike Deboor.
Alabama Swimming and Diving Signs Paige Troyan
TUSCALOOSA, Ala ??The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving program signed Paige Troyan to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Eric McIlquham. Troyan will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2007-2008 season.
“Paige will certainly add strength to our breaststroke group,” McIlquham said. “She will be someone we look to for points in dual meets as well as the SEC championships.”
Troyan led Countryside YMCA to a runner-up finish at the 2006 YMCA National Championships. She is a three-year All-State and All-Conference and a two-time All-American.
“The team, coaches and campus made me feel very comfortable,” Troyan said. “I feel that the coaches understand me and can help me achieve my goals of scoring at NCAAs. The strong academic reputation and support system will help me reach my academic goals.”
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, she swims for Brad Isham at both King’s High School and the Countryside YMCA Torpedoes.
