AMES, Iowa – Iowa State swimming and diving head coach Duane Sorenson announced the addition of Western Kentucky senior transfer Mollie McNeel and incoming freshman Maggie James on Friday.
McNeel, a distance specialist, comes to the Cyclones from Western Kentucky and is immediately eligible. McNeel is fresh off a standout junior campaign in which she broke the Hilltoppers During the 2014-15 campaign she recorded seven top-five finishes before wrapping up the season with a bang as she broke the school record in the 1650 freestyle at the CSCAA Invite on March 26 with a time of 16:40.73.
McNeel is a product of Lincoln, Nebraska and attended Lincoln Northeast high school.
“We’re very excited that Mollie has chosen Iowa State University to continue her education and to finish out her swimming career,” Sorenson said. “Mollie is a great fit for our program both with her personality and she fills a need in our distance freestyle events. Her best 1000 and 1650 times are just off our school records and being a fierce competitor, I’m sure she will be training her hardest to break those records. Over that last couple of years at Western Kentucky, she has really improved in those events as well in the 200 and 500 freestyle races. She’s also going to be a great leader for our team as she was elected as one of Western Kentucky’s captains for next season before their program was suspended last spring.”
James, an accomplished diver, comes to the Cyclones from Ames high school where she is a four-year letterwinner and a three-time state diving champion. James signature moment with the Little Cyclones came in October when she broke Ames’ 32-year old diving record with a 360.50, toppling the previous record of 352.75 set by Michigan All-American Mary Fischbach.
“I am excited that Maggie chose Iowa State University and will be joining our team this fall,” said diving coach Jeff Warrick. “Maggie has a lot of ability and experience, and I look forward to working with her and guiding her as she takes her diving to a whole new level.”
McNeel, James and Iowa State’s five other incoming freshmen will look to continue the Cyclones’ success after a banner 2014-15 season that culminated in a second-place finish at the Big 12 Tournament.
Swimming news courtesy of Iowa State Swimming.