SEATTLE — Seattle University head coach Craig Nisgor proudly announced the addition of six future Redhawks for the 2020-21 season to the women's swimming program following the fall NCAA signing period. The six-member class included Sarah Harman, Cassie Koester, Kennedy Philbrick, Maggie Robben, Manna Nelson and Emilia Culberson.
Nisgor: "I'm really excited for this incoming group and what they'll add to our team," said Nisgor who's in his ninth-season with the program. "In terms of being able to score at the conference meets, this is perhaps one of the best classes we've ever had. Five of the six currently have times that would earn points and place among the conference's top 16, with all of them owning times that would be considered for our top 10."
Harman is a four-time letterwinner and state qualifier from Arcadia High School. The Phoenix, Arizona native has been among the state's top eight in the 500 freestyle each season, with a second-place finish as a junior. A versatile competitor, Harman swims mid to long-distance freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and the IM events.
CN: "Sarah brings a tremendous amount of events from being a mid to long-distance freestyler, to doing times in the 200 backstroke that would score at conference and has done great at the 400 IM. She's been tremendous in all those events and we'll just to have to figure out which event we put her in. Right now she has times in four events that would put her in the all-time top five here at Seattle U."
Koester is native of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. A four-time letterwinner at Cedarburg High School, she has represented the Bulldogs in the WIAA Division I State Championships in every season she's competed. Koester primarily swims in distance freestyle and backstroke.
CN: "Cassie also brings a lot in the distance freestyle events. She had a tremendous summer last year and we know that she'll be able to transfer the meter times over to yards and definitely excited about that. In addition to the freestyle, she brings a lot to the backstroke and will likely be at the top of our list."
Philbrick is a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado where she's a multi-time letterwinner at Rock Canyon High School. She is a mid to long-distance swimmer that will provide depth and is poised to contribute early.
CN: "The amount of energy Kennedy will bring is pretty incredible and we're looking forward to her bringing that level of excitement she's had every step of the way. She'll add depth to our mid and long-distance events and is another one that has times that can score points for us at the conference meets."
Robben is a three-time team MVP for Smoky Hill High School and is serving as the team captain during her senior season in 2019-20. The Centennial, Colorado native has qualified for the state meet in each of the last three seasons. As a junior last season, she qualified in every event she participated in and was a finalist in the 100 breaststroke. A talented swimmer, Robben competes primarily in the freestyle, breaststroke and individual medley events.
CN: "One things about Maggie is the number of events different events she swims and that she scores well in every one of them across the board. She currently has times that would put her among our top 10 list and score at conference. I'm excited for her to here."
Also hailing from the Centennial State, Nelson is a four-time letter winner from Regis Jesuit High School. The native of Aurora, Colorado primarily competes in the freestyle ranging from short to long-distance events. Last spring in Phoenix, Nelson finished 13th in the Speedo Champions Series during the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:21.01. Nelson primarily swim in distance events.
CN: "Manna has had a great high school and club career so far, posting some really impressive times. In fact, her time in the 1000 freestyle beats the current school-record, while her time in the 1,650 free (17:21.54) would also be among the top three. She'll strengthen our distance event lineup and has the potential to do some great things."
Culberson is a native of Boulder, Colorado. A four-time letterwinner at Boulder High School, she was named team captain ahead of her senior campaign in 2019-20. Culberson has represented the Panthers in the CHSAA 5A State Championships during each of her last three seasons and garnered team MVP honors as a junior in 2019 after finishing with the most overall points. She currently competes in short to mid-distance freestyle, breaststroke, and the IM.
CN: "Emilia swims basically every event out there, and does it extremely well. She'll add a tremendous amount depth, particularly in the 200 freestyle, and will be coming in as one of the fastest 200 swimmers we've ever had since I've been here. She brings a plethora of events so the hardest thing will be determining which would be most valuable for her and the team.
The current Redhawk lineup will resume action in the new year when they host Whitworth University at the Redhawk Center on January 11.