Dec. 3, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland's swimming and diving program signed its' 2008-09 recruiting class. Eight will join the women's team and four will join the men's.

"We are really excited about this recruiting class," commented Interim Head Coach Jarod Schroeder.

The women welcome Martha VanLieshout (Vernon Hills, Ill.) upon graduation from Adlai E. Stevenson High School, where she serves as team captain. VanLieshout also swims for the Patriot Aquatic Club.

"I chose the University of Maryland because I loved absolutely everything about the school: the amazing academics, talented swimmers, fabulous coaches and beautiful campus," said VanLieshout. "It was everything I was looking for."

Caroline Belli (Marblehead, Mass.) swam for Marblehead High School and the YMCA's North Shore Sharks. Belli has been named Boston Globe's All Scholastic Swimmer of the Year, holds multiple YMCA All American records, and holds high school records in the 100 back (state champion), 200 IM, 500 free, 200 IM relay and 400 free relay.

"When visiting with the team and the coaches I felt completely comfortable and knew right away that this was where I wanted to attend college," said Belli.

A native of New Orleans, Meggie Schmidt (New Orleans, Lou.) will also join Maryland's 2012 class. Schmidt attended the Academy of Sacred Heart, where she was State Champion in the 200 IM and 100 fly in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade.

Schmidt is a Junior National Qualifier in the 100 and 200 butterfly. She was named the 2007 Louisiana USS Female Swimmer of the Year and the 2006 Picayune Swimmer of the Year.

"I signed with Maryland because I really liked the school, the facility and all the people," stated Schmidt. "I feel I have my best swimming ahead of me, and surrounding myself with the right people will make the experience fun as well as successful."

Schmidt also was a three-time state champion in cross country and outdoor track.

Lia Reich (Charlotte, N.C.) is a two-time All-American from Mecklenburg Aquatic Club. She is a two-time All American and a Junior National Qualifier. Reich had a fifth place finish at the Juniors in the 400 free relay and was the anchor of the 200 free relay, which won its third straight state title and broke the state record. Reich is a three-time State Champion.

"Attending UMD will allow me to pursue my dreams and goals both academically and athletically," said Reich.

Katie Childs (Peoria, Ill.) joins the Terps from Peoria Notre Dame High School, where she was named All-American and First Team All-State for her third place finish in the 500 freestyle at the 2006 Illinois High School Association Championships. Childs was a two-time Peoria Journal Star Girls' Swimmer of the Year.

Childs swam for the Bloomington-Normal YMCA WAVES, where she earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.

"I chose Maryland because of the great coaching staff, the academics, training facilities, and team," stated Childs. "I believe that with all of the resources at Maryland it is someplace where I can successfully achieve my goals."

Alexa Hamilton (Barrington, Ill.) was a four-time MVP, four-time All-American as well as a captain at Barrington High School. Hamilton competed at Senior Nationals in the spring and summer of 2007. Hamilton also swam for the Barrington Swim Club.

"I love the coaches at Maryland," said Hamilton. "The team atmosphere is incredible."

Natalie Wallen (Brookfield, Wisc.) joins the Terps as a two-time Academic All-American at Brookfield Central High School. She is a 2007 Long Course State Champion in the 200 free, 200 IM, and 400 IM and Senior Women's High point winner for 2007 Long Course State Championships. Wallen was named a three-time Brookfield Central High School's Swimming MVP. She was awarded All-Star Student Athlete of the Month and Greater Metro Conference Swimmer of the Year.

"I chose Maryland because I loved the closeness of the team and coaches and the great academic programs they had to offer as well," commented Wallen.

Ginny Glover (Ellicott City, Md.) swims for Wilde Lake High School and the Catonsville YMCA. Glover was a national finalist in the YMCA Short Course and Long Course National as well as a YMCA All American. Glover was also named Raven's Athlete of the Week.

"I signed with the swimming program at University of Maryland because I was impressed by the reputation of the school for its academics as well as it's athletics," said Glover.

On the men's side, Sean Stewart (Rockville, Md.) joins Maryland's team as a native of Rockville, Md. Stewart attended Wootton High School and trained with Rockville Montgomery Swim Club. Stewart was a member of the winning team of the Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida in 2007 with RMSC. During the summer's, Stewart swam with the Woodley Gardens Swim Team.

Last year, Stewart was named All-Met by the Washington Post and won the 200 free and 500 free at the Montgomery county championship meet. He also won the 500 free at the Metropolitan Championship meet.

"I joined Maryland's program because of the incredibly friendly and encouraging team atmosphere and unity, enthusiastic and committed coaching staff and facilities," commented Stewart. "I am looking forward to being part of such a dedicated team that is working together to reach some amazing goals."

Stuart Butts (Weston, Mass.) attends Weston High School and swam for Bluefish Swim Club. Butts has been an All-American and became an individual All American in the 200 IM during his junior year. Butts was named Massachusetts Division II state champion in the 100 yard backstroke his sophomore year and the 200 yard IM his junior year as well as a 200 IM NCSA junior national qualifier.

"I chose to sign with the University of Maryland swim team because it is a program that I believe I will excel in and reach my full potential as a competitive swimmer," stated Butts.

Zack Bartholomew (Bettendorf, Iowa) joins the Terps from Pleasant Valley High School, where he is a two-time State Champion and a five-time All American. Bartholomew holds the school record for the 200 medley relay, 200 free, 100 fly and 400 free relay.

"I signed with Maryland because I felt well accepted by the team and even though they were working extremely hard, they are very excited about what they are doing," said Bartholomew.

Andrew Relihan (Brookeville, Md.) joins the Terps from Georgetown Preparatory School where he is a six-time Junior National Qualifier and a four-time NISCA All-America. Relihan is a two-time Gazette All-County recipient.

"I signed with Maryland because I loved the team camaraderie," said Relihan, "and the opportunity to be apart of an up and coming team."