THE FLATS – Georgia Tech swimming & diving head coach Courtney Shealy Hart will welcome six additional student-athletes for the 2015-16 season. These six were inked during the spring signing period and join the seven that signed in the fall. The overall class is highlighted by Iris Wang, who was an Olympian for China in 2012.
“Top to bottom, this is a very deep and talented class,” said Hart. “We addressed some needs in certain events, but more importantly, we’re continuing to attract high-quality student-athletes who excel both in the pool and in the classroom.”
The spring signees include: Lila Best (Atlanta/Riverwood International Charter School), Kayla Williams (Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee HS), Haibing “Iris” Wang (Xiamen, China/Shenzhen Huaqiaocheng HS), Auburn transfer Alex Goerzen (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School), Sara Gilbert (Atlanta/St. Pius X) and Megan Hansen (Snellville, Ga./Brookwood HS).
These six join seven that signed with Georgia Tech in December.
WOMEN’S SIGNEES
Lila Best, Stingrays Swimming, Riverwood International Charter School, Atlanta
Events: Free, back, fly
Top Times: 50 free (23.98), 100 Free (51.48), 200 Free (1:49.79), 500 Free (4:56.57)
Notable: State Champion in the 200 free… State runner-up in the 100 free… Had originally committed to Navy.
Coach Hart on Best: “We are very excited to have Lila join us in the fall. Keeping local talent like her in state and swimming for Georgia Tech is a key for our program. She will make an immediate impact in the freestyle and on relays.”
Sara Gilbert, Dynamo Swim Club, St. Pius X, Atlanta
Events: Sprint free, back
Top Times: 50 free (23.85), 100 free (52.64), 100 back (55.85), 200 back (2:05.23)
Notable: State Champion in the 100 back.
Coach Hart on Gilbert: “Sara is another impressive local student-athlete. We have watched her progress the past couple of seasons, and are excited to have her on board and contributing in our freestyle and backstroke events.”
Megan Hansen, Swim Atlanta, Snellville, Ga., Brookwood HS
Events: Sprint free, back
Top Times: 50 free (24.13), 100 free (51.92), 200 free (1:56.38), 100 back (58.75)
Notable: Bronze-medalist in 100 free at State Championship.
Coach Hart on Hansen: “Megan has a great up-side. She has dropped quite a bit of time in the sprint events this year and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do here at Tech.”
Haibing “Iris” Wang, Shenzhen Huaqiaocheng HS, Xiamen, China
Events: Sprint free
Top times: 50 free (25.32 SCM; 25.95 LCM), 100 free (53.94 SCM; 55.18 LCM), 200 free (1:58.36 SCM; 2:00.91 LCM)
Notable: Competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games… Also swam in the 2012 Dubai Asian Championship, the 2012 Turkey Short Course World Championships, the 2013 Barcelona World Championships and the 2013 East Asian Games.
Coach Hart on Wang: “Iris will be a game changer and catalyst for our women’s team. Her current times will make her presence known immediately at the ACC and NCAA level.”
Kayla Williams, Atlanta Dive Association, Chattahoochee HS, Alpharetta, Ga.
Events: 1m springboard, 3m springboard
Notable: Was a level-10 gymnast before making the switch to diving two years ago… Placed sixth at the Georgia 6A state championships this year.
Coach John Ames on Williams: “Kayla’s high level of gymnastic training has helped her transition to the sport of diving. Her attitude and determination will help continue the positive direction the diving team is headed.”
MEN’S SIGNEE
Alex Goerzen, Bolles Sharks, The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Fla., Auburn
Events: Sprint free, back
Top Times: 50 free (20.99), 100 free (45.81), 100 back (48.98), 200 back (1:45.38)
Notables: Will be a junior at Tech after transferring from Auburn.
Coach Hart on Goerzen: “We are thrilled to have Alex joining our men’s team. He is a hard worker and we are looking forward to him adding depth to our sprint freestyle and backstroke groups.”
Swimming news courtesy of Georgia Tech Swimming and Diving.