Swimming and Diving Adds John Ellis to its 2012 Roster
12/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 8, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama swimming and diving team has added junior college national champion John Ellis to its 2012 roster head coach Eric McIlquham announced this week.
"John has had great success at Indian Rivers, with four top-two finishes at the junior college national championships including winning the 200 backstroke," McIlquham said. "His success at Indian River comes after a standout prep career in South Africa."
Ellis won the 2010 NJCAA 200 backstroke title and was second in the 200, 500 and 1650 freestyles, helping lead Indian River State College to the national team championship. He is coached by Ryan Mallam and Frank Bradley at IRSC, and served as team captain in 2010.
"I felt it was the University where I would be able to reach all of my goals in the pool as well as academically," Ellis said. "I feel I would be part of more than just a team but more like a close-knit family. When discussing my future swimming program everything the coaches said made sense to me. I felt that this was a team I could really contribute to. I'm excited to be part of the team and grateful for the opportunity."
Ellis, a native of Durban, South Africa, has competed for his home country on several occasions, including the Africa Games and World Cup events. He finished third in the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2008 South African Olympic Trials. Ellis was coached by Wayne Ridden at Seals Swimming Club. He is the son of Kathy and John Ellis.
