TUSCALOOSA – Dennis Pursley, head coach of The University of Alabama swimming and diving teams, has added 12 swimmers and divers to next year’s roster.
The Crimson Tide men added swimmers Christian Arseneau, Knox Auerbach, Evan Heldman and Robert Howard along with diver Collin Larson. The Alabama women added swimmers Caroline Beene, Anna Kelsoe, Justine Macfarlane, Nicole Raicik and Marian Yurchishin as well as divers Margy McCarthy and Ayanna Woods.
“We’re excited to have this class on board and can’t wait to get them on campus,” Pursley said. “We’ve added both talent and depth with this class, which will help us continue to move up the ranks.”
Christian Arseneau swims for Sainte-Famille in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and for Kevin Anderson for MSSAC. He was named Athlete of the Year in 2013-2014 and earned the Performance of the Year award in 2013-2014, each for his club team. Arseneau competed at the 2012 Ontario Summer Games.
Knox Auerbach swims for Colin Maloney at Northview High school and Franz Ressiguie at Dynamo Swim Club. He swam on Dynamo’s 2013 (LCM) and 2014 (SCY) USA Junior national championship teams and was state champion in the 200 and 500 freestyles. A three-year All-American, he qualified for the USA National Junior Team for 2014-15.
Evan Heldman competes for Pam Swander at SwimMAC Carolina and Hough High School for Tim Queen. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, is a member of SwimMAC’s national team and served as captain of his high school squad.
Robert Howard swims for Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama and is coached by Jeff Dellinger at Auburn Aquatics. In high competition, he was an AHSAA state champion in 2013 in two separate events. Howard is a USA Junior National Championships qualifier and holds various team records for his club team.
Collin Larson dives for the Academy of Holy Angels and for Scott Smith at Bounce Diving Club. Larson won AAU national championships in 2011 and 2012 and was also a Speedo Nationals finalist in 2013. In high school competition, Larson was both a conference champion and section champion in 2014.
Caroline Beene attends St. Joseph’s Academy and swims for Jayme Cramer at Crawfish Aquatics. The Louisiana Zone Team captain, finished fourth in the 50 freestyle at the 2014 Southern Zone Championships.
Anna Kelsoe is coached Dan Schultz at Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club (MTAC) and also attended Homelife Academy in Memphis, Tennessee. She qualified for both the 2013 and 2014 Winter Junior Nationals, as well as, the 2014 and 2015 Summer Junior Nationals. Kelsoe is also a three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, earning the honor in 2013, 2014 and 2015. She is the sister of current Alabama swimmer, sophomore Jacob Kelsoe.
Justine Macfarlane is coached by Peter Williams at Waterborn and also swims for Trinityhouse High School in Johannesburg, South Africa. She posted a fifth place finish in the 200 breaststroke and was a semi-finalist in the 100 breaststroke at the Junior World Games in Dubai in 2013. Macfarlane also finaled in the 200 breaststroke at the 2011 Youth Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, earning a seventh place finish.
Margy McCarthy dives at Hinsdale Central High School for Bob Barber and for Tony Santucci at Glenbrook Aquatics. The 2014 All-American is a conference and sectional champion and has posted top-five finishes at the state championships. She is also a four-time AAU national champion, winning titles in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events and the 3-meter synchro event.
Nicole Raicik swims for Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia and for Jeff Hike at Swim Atlanta. Raicik was a part of two GHSA 6A State Championship winning teams. She was also named a USA Swimming Academic All-American, and was a qualifier for the Junior Nationals.
Ayanna Woods dives for Jim Tingen at Augusta Dive Club and at Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia. In her junior year, Woods earned a second place finish at the State Championships. She was also named the MVP of her team in that same season. The 2013 Baton Rouge Advocate Swimmer of the Year, Beene is a USA Junior National Championship qualifier and is a multiple state champion in individually and has been a part of several state record setting relays.
Marian Yurchishin swims for Health Careers High School in San Antonio, Texas and for Mike Jones at Alamo Area Aquatics Association. She is a 2014 State Champion in the 100 breaststroke and a school record holder in 12 different events. Yurchishin is also a two-time All-American and 2014 Regional MVP. In club action, Yurchishin’s team earned a first place finish at the 2014 long course Speed Championship Series in the southern zone.
With the fall semester complete, the current Alabama squad is in the midst of its winter training camp in Florida. The Tide returns to competition on January 9 at Texas A&M.
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