June 26, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt head swimming and diving coach Jeremy Organ has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Commodores for the fall 2009 season.
The class of 2013 consists of Catherine Cornelson, Erika Deardorf, Jessica Eccher, Betsy Galenti, Sarah Lynch, Chelsea Morey and Amelia Salce. Incoming freshman Ellen Kilgore will also join the team as a walk-on.
“I think it’s a very balanced class that will immediately add depth to our team,” Organ said. “I think they’re going to be able to compete as a group in a lot of different events. The class consists of some backstrokers and sprint and distant freestylers. I think it’s one that’s going to be very competitive all four years.”
Cornelson is a high school record holder in the backstroke out of Spartanburg, S.C. While in high school, she was named the team’s MVP all four years. On the club circuit, Cornelson led her club team to several state championship titles.
Deardorf was an All-American from 2007 to 2009 in addition to being the recipient of the High School All-American Academic Award during her time in The Woodlands High (Texas). She was also the captain of her club team.
Eccher was a member of four state championship teams during her years at The Bolles School. A 2008 Junior National Swimming Qualifier, Eccher recorded a top-16 time in the 400-yard freestyle relay and also was a premier backstroker in her hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.
Galenti was a four-time All-American at Stillwater Area High School. She hails from Stillwater, Minn., and holds two Minnesota state swimming records.
Kilgore was a four-time MVP and three-time Scholastic All-American at Greenville High School in Greenville, S.C. She was a member of several state championship relay club teams as well.
Lynch was part of state championship relay teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and is a versatile swimmer, excelling in both the freestyle and breaststroke. She comes from Burke, Va. and was the Fairfax nominee for Sports Woman of the Year in addition to being named to the All-Metro Honorable Mention team by the Washington Post.
Morey was a team captain at Hutchinson Senior High School and an All-American swimmer in the 100-yard backstroke in 2008. She was also the regional winner of the High School Heisman award in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Salce, out of Naples, Fla., was a seven-year Florida state qualifier in addition to being a co-captain at the Community School of Naples. Salce was a U.S. Swimming Academic All-American as well.
The eight new swimmers will report to campus when school starts in August. They will join the 13 returning letterwinners from last year’s squad.
2009 Recruiting Class
Catherine Cornelson, Spartanburg, S.C.
Erika Deardorf, The Woodlands, Texas
Jessica Eccher, Jacksonville, Fla.
Betsy Galenti, Stillwater, Minn.
Ellen Kilgore, Greenville, S.C.
Sarah Lynch, Burke, Va.
Chelsea Morey, Hutchinson, Kan.
Amelia Salce, Naples, Fla.
