ROMEOVILLE, Illinois, November 27. LEWIS swimming head coach Stephen Thompson announced the early signings of Alexandra Henges (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marion H.S.), Luke Pavlakovich (Aurora, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.) and Evan Childers (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South H.S.) to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 school year.
"I am definitely pleased that we have added these three athletes to our program beginning next year," said Thompson. "It was important for our program to sign these swimmers early. We graduate a significant number of our swimmers this spring, but we are continuing to attract quality young student athletes who will positively influence our program at Lewis University over the next few years."
Henges joins the Flyers after a very successful career with the Cincinnati Marlins. She also competed for her high school team at Purcell Marian. As a Marlin, she was coached by Brent Ransom and head coach Chris Wolford. She qualified for the USA Swimming/Speedo Champion Series and she was part of the Marlins combined team championship last summer.
During her high school career, she's been a three-time state qualifier earning all-state each year. Henges also holds the Purcell Marian team records in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyle as well as the 100 butterfly and backstroke. She also is a member of the 200 and 400 free relay records. Henges is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. Henges plans on majoring in international business at Lewis.
"Allie is an important recruit for our women's team," said Thompson. "As a member of the Marlins, Allie has been a part of one of the most successful USA Swimming teams in the country.
"She will have an immediate impact on the future of our program. She is a versatile swimmer who can compete in any number of events at the GLIAC and NCAA Championships, and I am confident her presence will help us to attract more swimmers to Lewis with serious USA Swimming experience."
Pavlakovich joins the Flyer men's program from Aurora, Colo. where he is a member of the Regis Jesuit High School varsity swim team which has won twelve consecutive Colorado state high school championships. Pavlakovich has qualified for state each of his four years, earning all-state and All-America recognition. He was also elected captain for his senior year. An honor roll student, Pavlakovich has earned USA Swimming Academic All-America status. He will major in theology at Lewis.
"Luke comes from a winning program at Regis, and he is a fantastic match for Lewis University," said Thompson. "His coach, Mike Doherty, told me that Luke has unlimited potential to improve in our program. He has already posted times faster than our 100 breaststroke record, so he will challenge Aidan Murphy to give us more depth in that event. He also has been playing football in the fall, so he definitely will make us a more physical team. I am looking for him to help Greg Marx in the sprint freestyle events."
Childers joins the Flyers from Bloomington, Ind., where he is a member of the USA Swimming Councilman Center Indiana Swim Team located at Indiana University. He began swimming four years ago for Bloomington South High School, and he was named MVP his freshman and junior years. He was given the Captains Award during his sophomore year. During the past summer, he qualified for the Indiana Swimming Long Course Championships at Purdue University in Lafayette. Childers is an honor roll student, and he plans on majoring in education.
"I am excited because when Evan came to campus for his official visit, our swimmers immediately took to him," said Thompson. "He is very charismatic, and he will give our program much needed depth in the middle distance and sprint freestyle events.
"He has only been swimming for four years, but he has gained great experience swimming in the shadows of the Indiana University program. His sister also competes for the University of Toledo, so Evan will adjust quickly to the swimming at the next level."