Maryland Signs Four Additional Women For Next Season
11/14/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Nov. 14, 2006
Jessalyn Crawford (Cary, N.C.), Annie Fittin (Sea Girt, N.J.), Colleen McReynolds (Edina, Minnesota), and Kathryn Snedeker (Hindsdale, Ill.) have signed National Letters of Intent committing to the University of Maryland for 2007-08. They join Blair Cross (Raleigh, N.C.) and Stephanie Parker (Fort Wayne, Ind.) as next year's freshman class.
Jessalyn Crawford
Jessalyn Crawford (Cary, N.C.) was the 2006 4A North Carolina High School State champion in the 100-yard butterfly. She was a member of the 2006 YMCA National Championship team and swam the butterfly leg for both the 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay teams that won the YMCA National title. She will graduate from Athens Drive High School as an Honors scholar, National Honor Society member, and Academic All-American. Crawford swims for YMCA of the Triangle Area (YOTA) in the 100 fly (best time 56.61), 200 fly (best time 2:06.71), 200 IM (best time 2:08.09), and 400 IM (best time 4:33.77). On her decision to come to Maryland, Crawford says, "I am very excited to become a Terrapin next year. Maryland offered the best academic fit along with the most potential to excel athletically. What more could you ask for?"
Coach Durden on Crawford: "Jessalyn will make our program better just by having her personality on the pool deck everyday, plus she is a pretty darn fast swimmer as well. Coming from Mark Toburen's program, I know she will have a great background and knowledge of the sport. We are excited to welcome her to our program."
Annie Fittin
Annie Fittin (Sea Girt, N.J.) is a 13-Time All-American and a previous National High School Record Holder for 200 Medley Relay in the backstroke leg. Fittin is the Peddie School Swim Team Captain and recipient of the Clinton E. Sprout Award for an outstanding commitment to swimming. She is the New Jersey State Age Group Record Holder in the 50 freestyle, 100 back, and 200 Medley relay. Fittin is also a three-time US National qualifier and World Championship Trials qualifier. Fittin attends the Peddie School in Highston, N.J. and was nominated by the faculty and then elected by the students to a Gold Key club for service organization.
Currently Fittin swims for Peddie Aquatics in the 50 free (best time 23.57 SCY, 26.77 LCM), 100 free (best time 51.60 SCY, 58.57 LCM), 200 free (best time 1.51:99 SCY, 2.08.42 LCM), and 100 back (best time 56.40 SCY, 1.05:44 LCM). Fittin says she chose Maryland "because of the prestigious academics that is set on a beautiful campus, the swimming program where I felt the coaches really believed in me, and the team made me feel like it could become my second home."
Coach Durden on Fittin: "We are fortunate to have such an outstanding athlete and person in Annie. The Peddie School has such a great reputation and Annie's coach, Greg Wriede, has done and continues to do a wonderful job with Annie. She will be an immediate impact in our sprint free and backstroke events."
Colleen McReynolds
Colleen McReynolds (Edina, Minnesota) is a former National Age Group Record Holder in the 800-meter freestyle and a 16-time National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-American. She is a 35-time Illinois State Swimming Champion and has been awarded the Van Etten Bent Award (Outstanding Athlete) of the Bolles School ten times. In addition, she was the Florida High School Swimmer of the Year and the USS Florida swimmer of the year for short course in 2005. McReynolds has been an honor roll student all four years of high school. She is a distance free styler for the Foxjets Swim Club in the 200 free (best time 1:50.51), 500 free (4:48.48), 1000 free, and 1650 free (best time 16:28.16). On coming to Maryland next year, McReynolds says, "I chose Maryland for it amazing coaching staff and team members. When I visited the campus, I just knew it was where I would be going to college!"
Coach Durden on McReynolds: "Colleen's personality and drive are the exact characteristics that we thrive to have in our program. After being 4:48 in her junior year, I knowColleen is striving for great things in this sport, and we can't wait to have her in on environment starting in the fall of 2007."
Kathryn Snedeker
Kathryn Snedeker (Hindsdale, Ill.) is the Hindsdale Central Girls Swim Team MVP, the Varsity Swim Team Captain, and has been named the Hinsdale Central Athlete of the Month. She will graduate from Hindsdale Central High School where she was a recipient of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Award and was named the Student Service Leader of the Quarter. Snedeker swims for the Academy Bullets in the 50-yard freestyle (best time 23.74), 100 free (best time 51.75) and 200 free (best time 1:53.19). Snedeker says she chose Maryland because "After getting to know and love the coaching staff, team and school, I knew that Maryland was the perfect school for me. I love everything about it and am proud to say that I am a Terp, fear the turtle!"
Coach Durden on Snedeker: "After spending time with Kathryn and her family, I know that we have found a wonderful talent in Kathryn. She has already shown tremendous range this fall from the 50 to 200 freestyle events, and we looking forward to her swimming fast here in a week at her high school state meet. Bill Schalz has done a great job in working with her in the club environment and we look forward to continuing the work that Bill has started with Kathryn."
