Pirates Ink Six For the 2011-12 Season
November 22, 2010 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 22, 2010
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- The East Carolina swimming and diving program has inked six student-athletes to a National Letter-of-Intent for the 2011-12 season announced head coach Rick Kobe on Monday.
"Our entire staff has put in a great deal of work into this class, and it has shown," Kobe said. "Although we have not finished our recruiting for next year, this is an excellent start and I couldn't be more pleased. I can say without hesitation that this will be the most talented group of freshman we will have ever had at East Carolina."
The Pirates landed four lady swimmers: Lauren Gray (Roanoke, Va.), Danielle Morrin (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.), Paige Moorhead (Winter Springs, Fla.) and Megan Rossi (Clearwater, Fla.) and a pair of men's swimmers: Andre Smedstad (Slidell, La.) and Nick Wylie (South Field, Mich.).
Gray is a multi-event swimmer and Virginia High School state champion and record holder. Ranked as one of the Top 15 recruits in the state by Collegeswimming.com, she is a Junior and Senior National Qualifier who competes for Carter Center Aquatics as a freestyle, butterfly and IM swimmer.
"Lauren will add a great deal of versatility for the team next season. She will join us with times already below our varsity record in multiple events, and her impact in the conference should be felt immediately,"Kobe said.
Morrin is also a butterfly and IM competitor. She swims for the Mt. Pleasant Swim Club where she has become both a U.S. Open and Southeast Senior Sectional Qualifier.
"Danielle is a great kid! She will add depth to our fly and IM groups, and be a real asset to the success of our program in the future," Kobe stated.
Moorhead and Rossi are each listed as Top 40 recruits from the state of Florida. Moorhead is a three-time district champion that competes in the backstroke, freestyle and IM events. She is also a state finalist and Junior National Qualifier. Rossi is also a National Junior Qualifier as well as a three-time All-American that swims distance and middle distance freestyle events.
"Paige is a versatile swimmer that will help us in the IM, freestyle, and backstroke events next season.
"Megan comes from a very good program with big meet experience. Her addition will help lead our distance group for years to come. The future is very bright for each of these young ladies," Kobe explained.
On the men's side, Smedstad is rated as the second-ranked recruit from Louisiana. Primarily a backstroke swimmer, he is state amateur champion as well as a state high school champion. He has earned all-state recognition in addition to scholastic All-America honors.
"Andre is a big kid with a lot of raw talent," Kobe said. "At 6-foot-6 we see his best years ahead of him. He will be a great addition to our program."
Wylie is another Top 15 recruit. Ranked 12th in the state of Michigan, Wylie is a freestyle swimmer that has received All-America accolades. He is also a YMCA National Qualifier and state high school championship finalist. "Nick is fairly new to the sport with most of his experience at the High School level," Kobe said. "He has some very solid times and a tremendous upside. We are looking forward to working with him and seeing how fast he can be."
The Pirates concluded the 2010 fall semester beginning Thursday, Dec. 2 at the USA Short Course National Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
