Texas A&M head women’s swimming and diving coach Steve Bultman announced the Aggies’ signing class of six high school standouts and one transfer, which was rated the No. 6 class in the nation by SwimSwam.com.
Joining the Aggies for the 2018-19 season are Amanda Armstrong (Rockwall, Texas), Emma Carlton (Mount Vernon, Wash.), Amber Conrad (Rockwall, Texas), Gabby Kopenski (McKinney, Texas), Kylie Powers (Kingwood, Texas) and Caroline Theil (Lincoln, Neb.). Joining the Aggies in January of 2018 is Miranda Donley (Pickerington, Ohio), who originally signed with North Carolina State earlier this year.
“This a great group of swimmers that really want to be at Texas A&M and we’re happy to have them here,” Bultman said. “They are all very talented swimmers and good students, and we believe their best swimming is ahead of them. It seems like I say this every year, but we’re losing a senior class that has done some tremendous things over the last four years. This group, I think, can step in immediately and help us as we continue to pursue our team goals.”
Texas A&M Swimming and Diving Signees
Name Hometown / High School Club Team
Amanda Armstrong Rockwall, Texas / Rockwall HS Rockwall Aquatics
Emma Carlton Mount Vernon, Wash. / MVHS Bellingham Bay Swim Team
Amber Conrad Rockwall, Texas / Heath HS Rockwall Aquatics
Miranda Donley Pickerington, Ohio / Columbus School for Girls Ohio State Swim Club
Gabby Kopenski McKinney, Texas / Prosper HS Texas Ford Aquatics
Kylie Powers Kingwood, Texas / Ridge Point HS Swim Houston Aquatic Club
Caroline Theil Lincoln, Neb. / Pius X HS Greater Nebraska Swim Team
Amanda Armstrong | Rockwall, Texas / Rockwall HS | Rockwall Aquatics
- Chose Texas A&M, “… because I love the atmosphere the school gives off and I love the way the team is, in and out of the pool. The coaches have an amazing staff along with the academic staff. The girls work hard every day in the pool and push each other to the best of their ability.”
- Has trained with Rockwall Aquatics for five years and is coached by Neil Walker
- At the NCSA Summer Championships, Armstrong placed fourth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 back
- Coached at Rockwall High School by Tommy Sacco
- Four-time All-American
- Named Team MVP as a sophomore and junior
- Six-time district champion with victories in the 50 free (three times), 100 back (twice) and 100 free.
- Three-time state meet qualifier and has logged six top eight finishes, including 50 free runner-ups in 2016 and 2017.
- As a junior, Armstrong placed second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free at the state meet
- As a sophomore, she placed second in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 back at the state meet
- As a freshman, she placed fourth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 back
- Owns school records in the 50 free (22.77), 100 free (50.56), 100 back (55.31) and 200 free (1:50.20).
Emma Carlton | Mount Vernon, Wash. / MVHS | Bellingham Bay Swim Team
- Chose Texas A&M because, “… when I first stepped on campus I felt, in my heart and mind, that A&M was exactly where I was supposed to be. Coach Steve, Coach Tanica, and Coach Chris made me feel like I can be a part of something truly spectacular. They believe in building and supporting me as an athlete and a person. The team made me feel as if I was ‘home’ and a part of an amazing family immediately. Texas A&M is a dream come true!”
- Has trained with the Bellingham Bay Swim Team for six years and is coached by Jay Benner
- Was the first-ever Olympic Trials qualifier for the Bellingham Bay Swim Team when she qualified for the 2016 Olympic Team Trials in the 100 butterfly
- Won the High Point Award at the 2016 PNS Senior Championships
- Named the club’s Outstanding Swimmer for 2015-16
- Team USA member for the 2017 FINA World Junior Championships
- 18 and under National Champion in the 50 butterfly in 2017
- Coached by Paulina Gralow at Mount Vernon High School
- Swimmer of the Year in Class 4A in the state of Washington in 2015 and 2017
- Four-time Skagit Valley Swimmer of the Year
- 2017 state champion in the 50 free and 100 fly
- Set state records in the 50 free (22.58) and also the 100 free (49.73) while leading off the 400 relay at the 2017 state meet
- 2016 state champion in the 100 fly
- 2015 state champion in the 50 free and state runner-up in the 100 fly
- 2014 state runner-up in 50 free and 100 fly
- Four-time district and regional champion in the 50 free and 100 fly
- Holds school records in seven races — 200 free (1:54.94), 50 free (22.58), 100 fly (53.33), 100 free (49.73), 500 free (5:05.17), 100 back (54.99) and 100 breast (1:08.76)
- Five-time Scholastic All-American
Amber Conrad | Rockwall, Texas / Heath HS | Rockwall Aquatics
- Chose Texas A&M because, “From the moment I arrived on campus, I knew A&M was the perfect fit for me. I am honored and excited to be part of this great program! I am looking forward to swimming with an amazing group of women for the next four years!”
- Has trained with Neil Walker at Rockwall Aquatics for four years
- Received the club’s 2017 Golden Swimmer Award
- Was a part of the 200 free relay that ranked No. 8 in the nation among girls 15-18
- Qualified for Junior Nationals in the 50 and 100 freestyle
- Has best times of 23.04 in the 50 free, 50.78 in the 100 free, 2:21.70 in the 200 breast and 2:09.36 in the 200 IM
- Coached by Rockwall Heath High School by Tommy Sacco
- NISCA All-American in the 50 free and 100 free and with Heath’s 200 medley relay and 400 free relay
- Has been district champion or runner-up six times in her first three high school seasons
- Three-time state meet qualifier with a best finish of fourth in the 50 free at the 2016 state championships.
- At the 2017 Class 6A state championships, Conrad won the consolation final in the 50 free and 100 free
- At the 2016 Class 5A state championships, Conrad placed fourth in the 50 free
- As a freshman, Conrad placed 12th in the 100 free and 14th in the 100 breast
- Owns school records in the 50 free (23.04), 100 free (50.78) and with all three relays.
Miranda Donley | Pickerington, Ohio / Columbus School for Girls | Ohio State Swim Club
- Chose Texas A&M because, “After meeting the coaches, team, and staff at Texas A&M, I instantly fell in love with the school and knew this was the place for me.”
- Trained with the Ohio State Swim Club for three years and was coached by Kyle Goodrich
- Qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 50 freestyle
- Set club records in the 50 free, 100 fly and 100 free.
- MVP of the Columbus School for Girls swim team all four years of high school
- Four-time Athlete of the Week by the Columbus Dispatch
- 2017 Central Ohio High School Girls Swimmer of the Year
- 2017 Ohio High School State Swimmer – Outstanding Performance Award
- Won the 50 free (22.49) and the 100 free (49.41) at the 2017 state meet, and also was on the winning 200 free relay (1:34.45) and the runner-up 400 free relay (3:28.99) for CSG
- Won three straight state titles in the 50 free and with CSG’s 200 free relay
- Eight-time district champion
- Was coached by her mother, Stephanie (nee Zunich) Donley, at CSG. Her mother was a 22-time All-America and seven-time NCAA Champion at the University of Florida.
- Donley owns CSG records in the 50 free (22.49), 100 free (49.41) and the 100 butterfly (54.87), as well as with the 200 and 400 free relays and the 200 medley relay
- Originally signed with North Carolina State out of high school, but will enroll at Texas A&M in January of 2018.
Gabby Kopenski | McKinney, Texas /Prosper HS | Texas Ford Aquatics
- Chose Texas A&M because, “I love the team and the coaches; right away they made me feel like family, they were so welcoming and encouraging.”
- Has trained with Texas Ford Aquatics for seven year and is coached by Dan McDonough
- Member of the U.S. Junior National Team for 2017-18
- Had best times of 15:56.3 in the 1,650 freestyle and 9:35.79 in the 1,000 free at the 2014 Speedo Winter Junior Championships
- Had a best time of 4:09.92 in the 400 IM at the 2017 Speedo Sectionals in College Station
- Four-time winner of the club’s Coach’s Choice Award … also received the Most Improved Award
- Competing for Prosper High School as a freshman and sophomore, Kopenski was the Class 5A state champion in the 200 free and 500 free in 2015 and 2016
- 2016 UIL Class 5A district, regional and state Swimmer of the Year
- 2015 UIL Class 5A regional and state Swimmer of the Year
- Class 5A All-State (2015, 2016)
- Was undefeated in the 200 free and 500 free at the district, regional and state meets in 2015 and 2016
- Set school records in the 200 free (1:46.80), 500 free (4:37.94) and 100 fly (57.15)
Kylie Powers | Kingwood, Texas / Ridge Point HS | Swim Houston Aquatic Club
- Chose Texas A&M for its, “Awesome coaching staff with a reputation of producing amazing breaststrokers.”
- Trains with Swim Houston Aquatics and is coached by Gilbert Legaspi
- 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier
- At 2017 NCSA Junior Nationals, Powers was a finalist in all three breaststroke events, including a runner-up finish in the 100 (1:00.65).
- Has posted best times of 28.86 in the 50 breaststroke, 1:00.65 in the 100 breast and 2:12.58 in the 200 breast
- Scholastic All American- 2016-17
- Gulf Swimming Top 10 times (long course and short course) summer 2014-17
- Coached by Ridge Point High School by Danielle Hunt
- Won the Class 5A state championship in the 100 breaststroke as a freshman in 2015 (1:04.09) and was state runner-up as a sophomore (1:02.89).
- School record holder in the 100 breaststroke
Caroline Theil | Lincoln, Neb. / Pius X HS | Greater Nebraska Swim Team
- Chose Texas A&M, “…because the tradition, academic excellence, the success of the women’s swimming and diving team, the amazing coaches and it’s warm.”
- Has trained with the Greater Nebraska Swim Team (GNST) for 11 years and is coached by Mike Witt and Leigh Ann Fetter-Witt (Cal Bentz – Coach Emeritus)
- 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier
- Currently holds 28 Midwestern swimming LSC records
- USA Swimming National Select Camp attendee
- Summer Junior Nationals finalist in the 200 IM
- Has qualified for Summer Junior Nationals every year since age of 13
- Coached by Mike Witt at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb.
- Four-time NISCA All-American
- Owns school records seven races — 200 free (1:50.11), 200 IM (2:01.63), 50 free (24.29), 100 fly (55.45), 100 free (51.00), 500 free (5:06.94) and 100 back (58.34), as well as with the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay
- A versatile athlete, Theil also ran a leg on Pius X’s 4×800-meter relay that won district and placed fourth at the state track and field meet.
Press courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.