NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt swimming team signed five student-athletes to its roster for the 2020-21 season, head coach Jeremy Organ announced Wednesday.
“We are very excited about this year’s signing class,” Organ said. “They are a very talented group both in the pool and in the classroom. We really think they are going to make an immediate impact on our team. They all are a great fit and we can’t wait to have them on campus next fall.”
The class includes student-athletes from across the country as well as one Nashville native.
Ella Platek will graduate from John Pope II High School in Nashville and joins the Dores as a breaststroke specialist. A captain of her high school swim team for two years, Platek competed on the state and regional teams for four seasons.
Platek earned four varsity letters in swimming.
“I decided to come to Vanderbilt because the team is so welcoming and fun,” Platek said. “The girls are super sweet and everybody is trying to help each other get to their specific goals. The academics are very challenging but everyone is pushing for you to succeed and there’s an amazing amount of support. I am looking forward to the next four years and making new friends.”
Joining the Commodores from Poulsbo, Washington, Eleanor Beers plans to major in medicine, health and society at Vanderbilt and will join the team while specializing in butterfly and freestyle.
Beers joins Vanderbilt after an illustrious high school career where she set multiple school records. Beers holds the North Kitsap records in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle as well as the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley. Beers leads the signing class as the No. 4 swimmer in Washington.
The Dores also welcome Alina Stout from Charlotte, North Carolina. Stout is set to graduate from Charlotte Catholic High School in the spring and will join the Commodores as a butterfly specialist.
Stout was named MVP her junior year and helped lead her high school team to three state titles while earning three varsity letters in swimming.
“From the moment I stepped on campus, Vanderbilt felt like home for me,” Stout said. “I loved how positive, fun and unique all of the girls on the team were. I am looking forward to the academic opportunities provided at Vanderbilt and learning from my new coaches and team.”
Gabriela Pierobon Mays will join the team from Verona, Wisconsin. A first team All-American for three consecutive years, Pierobon Mays specializes in freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.
A captain on her Middleton High School team for two consecutive years, Mays holds the school records in the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle.
Lauren McCormack will join the Dores from San Francisco. McCormack is set to graduate from St. Ignatius College Prep in the spring and plans to major in law, history and society at Vanderbilt.
A three-time varsity letter winner in swimming, McCormack set the school record in both the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard medley relay.
“I chose Vanderbilt because of the great location, team atmosphere, excellent academics and supportive coaching staff,” McCormack said. “I am so excited to be a part of the team.
