Seattle University women's swimming head coach Craig Nisgor announced Friday that Blaise Wittenauer-Lee of Portland, Ore., signed a National Letter of Intent during the just-completed November signing period and will swim for the Redhawks starting in the 2013-14 school year.
Wittenauer-Lee swam for the Jesuit High School women's swim team three years, lettering twice. She is a four-time state qualifier, making the championship race of both the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle her freshman and junior years, winning the 500 free in 2012. She placed fourth in the 200 IM that year as well to go along with district titles in those two races. She helped lead the Crusaders to state and district titles in 2009, 2011, and 2012. Wittenauer-Lee will leave Jesuit High as the school record-holder in the 500 free with a time of 5:01.26. She was also named Most Improved Athlete in 2009 and Team MVP in 2012.
Wittenauer-Lee has also swum for Tualatin Hills Swim Club since 2002. She is the team record holder in the 1500 freestyle and has multiple age group victories including in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke, in which she achieved a winter national cut time.
"Blaise is a very strong all-around swimmer with current times in eight events that would rank in the top five in the all-time lists at Seattle University. She continues to get better with every swim she does and made her first national cut in November in the 200 breaststroke. She will be a great team player and will add a lot to our women's team," said Nisgor.
The Seattle University women's swim team is currently in Arizona for winter training and will next be in action Saturday, Jan. 12, against Whitworth University at the Connolly Center Pool. The Redhawks are aiming for the Western Athletic Conference Championships, taking place Feb. 27 to March 2 in San Antonio, Texas.