JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Reigning Coastal Collegiate Sports Association co-Coach of the Year, Ian Coffey announced the addition of 12 swimmers to the North Florida Swim program. The Ospreys add depth to a roster that produced one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2015-16.
“I am very happy with the class we are bringing in this upcoming season,” said Coffey. “Every event has added more talent and depth to improve the program. This is a very positive and hard working group.”
Among the 12 swimmers that will be in the pool for the fall, seven hail from the state of Florida. Coffey and assistant coach Haley Edwards also worked hard out of state, landing student-athletes from Kentucky, New Hamphsire, New York and Virginia.
In 2015-16, the Ospreys scored 470 points at CCSA Championships, the second highest total in school history. The Ospreys went on to establish, eight new school records during the historic season. In the classroom, 14 swimmers earned All-Academic Team honors, the most since the 2009-10 season.
Jacqueline Barklund
Hometown: Culpeper, Va.
High School: Eastern View
Club Team: Battlefield Area Star Swimmers
Events: Backstroke/Freestyle
Coach’s Quote: “Jacqueline is another great addition to our deep backstroke group. There is a lot of upside to her swimming and she will benefit training with the backstrokers.”
Notes: Earned All-Conference and All-Region honors from 2013-16… Was an All-State selection 2014-16… Named the Most Outstanding Swimmer at Eastern View as a senior… Competed in NCSA in 2014 & 2015 and NASA Junior Nationals in 2016. Achieved Academic Excellence in History in 2015 and Academic Excellence in Sports Medicine in 2016… An A/B Honor Roll member all four years of high school.
Sarah Ciampa
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
High School: Sacred Heart Academy
Club Team: Lakeside Seahawks
Events: Butterfly/Backstroke/IM/Mid-Distance Freestyle
Coach’s Quote: “With so many events Sarah can swim, she will add depth to multiple areas. I am looking forward to see where she will excel and help the team.”
Notes: Team won three Regional and State Championships through her prep career (2013,2014 & 2016)… Sacred Heart was ranked in the top 10 nationally from 2013-2015 including a first place ranking among independent schools her junior season… Was a three-time state and regional qualifier in the 500 freestyle (2013, 2014, 2016)… Finished third in the region in the 100 butterfly… Was a state finalist three of her four years at Sacred Heart… Named the program’s most Improved Swimmer in 2014 and received the Coaches Award as a freshman… A NISCA Academic All-American… Member of the National Honors Society and was on the Principal’s List all four years of high school.
Kaley Creighton
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
High School: Boca Raton
Club Team: BRST Boca Raton Swim Team
Events: Breaststroke/Sprint Freestyle
Notes: “One of the things about Kaley is she is improving her times every year. I am looking forward to watching her swim her fastest times here at UNF.”
Sarah Frantz
Hometown: Rotonda West, Fla.
High School: Lemon Bay High School
Club Team: Sarasota Sharks
Events: Distance Free
Coach’s Quote: “Sarah comes from a great club team in the Sarasota Sharks. She will be counted on in our distance events and I have no doubt she will keep improving.”
Notes: Served as a team captain at Lemon Bay… Team won district and county championships in 2013 and 2014… A 2015 Sun Coast Sports All-Area selection… Herald Tribune All-Area honorable mention as a senior… At the 2015 2A State meet was 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:12.53) and 15th in the 200 freestyle (1:57.31)… Academically a four-year honor roll member and inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame for history, law, anatomy and English.
Alex Griffith
Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.
High School: Fort Myers
Club Team: Swim Florida
Events: Distance Freestyle
Coach’s Quote: “Alex brings a great attitude to our program. She fit in right away on her visit and she will bring a good work ethic with her from Swim Florida.”
Notes: A four-member of the Fort Myers swim team under the direction of Susan Postma… A four-time All-Area second time selection… Was named Fort Myers’ Most Improved Swimmer in 2013… A member of the National Honors Society… Also an International Baccalaureate.
Kaitlyn McManus
Hometown: Milford, N.H.
High School: Milford
Previous School: Canisius College (N.Y.)
Club Team: Hampshire Hills Seawolves
Events: Breaststroke/IM
Coach’s Quote: “I am very happy Kaitlyn chose UNF as her new school. She brings a lot to our program and I am looking forward to working with her.”
Notes: Swam her first season of college at Canisius College (N.Y.)… Was an All-State selection all four years in high school at Milford… Won the State Farm Charachter Award, in 2011 and 2015… Served as the team captain her junior and senior seasons… Member of the National Honors Society and listed on the school’s honor rul for a total of eight semesters.
Sydney Mutschler
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Fla.
High School: Palm Beach Central
Club Team: Wahoos of Wellington
Events: Butterfly/Backstroke/IM
Coach’s Quote: “Sydney brings multiple events to our program. With her versatility, she will add depth to many of our events.”
Notes: Served as a team captain during her senior year… Earned Palm Beach County Fall All-Conference honors… Named the Rookie of the Year her freshman year… Member of the National Honors Society.
Amber Pearce
Hometown: Jupiter, Fla.
High School: Jupiter Community High School
Club Team: Jupiter Dragons
Events: Sprint Free
Coach’s Quote: “I am very happy to have Amber as a part of our program. She was a duel athlete in high school in swimming and cross country. She will bring a lot of energy to our sprint freestyle group.”
Notes: A three-sport athlete at Jupiter Community High School as a member of the swim, cross country and track teams… A state qualifier in cross country all four years in high school and three-year qualifier in swimming and track… Team won two Regional Championships, a county championship and the last 10 district Championships.
Erin Proctor
Hometown: Palm City, Fla.
High School: Martin County
Club Team: Martin County Swimming
Events: Backstroke/IM
Coach’s Quote: “Erin fit it right away with the team during her visit. She is another versatile swimmer who can do a lot of events and brings a very positive attitude to our program.”
Notes: Member of three-straight District and County Championship teams at Palm City… Team was crowned Regional Champions in 2014… Earned All-Area honors during her prep career… Competed in Senior Championships, Spring Sectionals and Summer Sectionals… Member of the National Honors Society and earned her Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma. Member of the National Social Studies, English and Science honors societies.
Ally Schillinger
Hometown: Bellerose, N.Y.
High School: Sacred Heart Academy
Club Team: Long Island Express
Events: Distance Freestyle/IM
Coach’s Quote: “Ally comes from a very good club team out in Long Island, NY. She will add depth to our distance group.”
Notes: Served as the Sacred Heart Academy team captain as a senior… Team finished second in Division all four years… Qualified for NYSPHAA State Championship in 2015… Competed in the M.I.T. Invitational in 2016… A member of the National Honors Society.
Zoe Trenz
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
High School: Trinity Episcopal
Club Team: Poseidon Swimming
Events: Breaststroke/Butterfly/IM/Freestyle
Coach’s Quote: “Coming out of Poseidon Swimming in Virginia, Zoe has so much potential with all the events she swims. She has improved every year in her career and will keep improving here at UNF.”
Notes: A two-year team captain at Trinity Episcopal… Swam butterfly in the 200 Medley Relay State Record (1.47.88)… Member of the 200 free relay team record… Also played soccer in high school.
Francesca Vandersluis
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
High School: Suncoast Community High School
Club Team: North Palm Beach Swim Club
Events: Breaststroke/Sprint Freestyle
Coach’s Quote: “Francesca came on our first recruiting weekend and fit in right away. She has improved her times every year and will do so here.”
Notes: Was Florida 2A High School finalist as a junior and senior in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle. .. Named the 205-16 Most Valuable Player… An All-Conference and All-County selection her freshman through junior seasons… A two-time Athlete of the Year at Suncoast… Father, Jan swam at the University of Miami… Sister Hanna swam at FIU.
University of North Florida contributed this report.