Swimming Hopes to Build Off Historic Season

Brenau University Swimming head coach Blaire Bachman returns seven student-athletes from last year's fourth-ranked NAIA program and adds six new talented athletes in hopes of continuing their successes this season.

In 2013-2014, the team's fourth place finish at the NAIA Swimming & Diving National Championships-the highest ranking in program history- produced two All American relays, a two-time individual National Champion, three NAIA Individual All Americans and two NAIA Honorable Mention All Americans.

The Golden Tigers return a group of outstanding upperclassmen as NAIA All-American seniors Michelle Billeaud and Shelby Rumker will be asked to provide leadership to the squad. Juniors Kathleen Rossi and NAIA All-American Mary Katherine Jabbia round out a strong group of veteran swimmers that made up the core of last year's squad.

The team also returns three talented sophomores as NAIA National Champion Courtney Hayward, National Runner-Up Talia Galindo Sola and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Sophie Nasstrom will each look to build off of last season's national championship run.

"The returning class of swimmers worked extremely hard last season to put Brenau on top, and now they will be instrumental in motivating the new class to rise to the challenge," said head coach Blaire Bachman. "I always get excited when our team's size grows, but it's more about the individuals themselves – each one of them are strong women and focused on beating personal goals."

Bachman has high expectations for her new swimmers as six newcomers add youth and ability to an already strong core. Freshmen Sarah Frey (Snellville, Ga.), Madison Kosater (Macon, Ga.), Amanda Smith (Cumming, Ga.), Ella Kleinschmidt (Queensland, AUS), Alisha Hodgetts (Perth, AUS), and Solin Morell Quiroga (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) each hope to make their own mark on the program.

"Our incoming freshman class is absolutely outstanding, both in the pool and classroom," said Bachman. "All of our newcomers have diversified themselves as competitors, swimming many events on the high school, club and international levels, which allows us to add depth and speed instantly. Each of these young women is excited to become a Golden Tiger and a part of a program with a growing tradition of fast swimming."

Brenau Swimming opens its season on Saturday, Sept. 27 hosting Berry College, Thomas University, and Columbia College.