Fresno State Athletics
Swimming and Diving Signs Five to National Letter of Intent
5/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
May 8, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head swimming and diving coach Daniella Irle announced the signing of five student-athletes to national letters of intent today.
The Bulldogs will welcome three from California and one from each Indiana and Canada. Sarah Batchelor, a native of Brea, Calif., Julie Heaton of Grass Valley, Calif., and Dana Shaw of San Jose, Calif., will join Kathryn Easey of Kirkland, Quebec, Canada and McKenzie Elston of Granger, Ind., next fall.
Batchelor, a breastroker, competes out of Brea Olinda High School and the Brea Aquatics Club. She has lifetime-bests of 1:08.99 in the 100 breast and a time of 2:27.72 in the 200 breast, which currently is fifth on Fresno State's depth chart. The breastroker is a four-time Orange League Champion, 1999-2002.
"Sarah is a great catch for us," said Irle. "She has a lot of raw talent."
Heaton is a freestylist and backstroker from Nevada Union High School and the Penguin Swim Club. Her 50 and 100 free times of 24.93 and 53.34 rank fifth and fourth on Fresno State's depth chart. She is a two-time San Joaquin high school sections record holder in the 100.
"Julie will provide us with depth in our sprint free events, as well as in the backstroke," said Irle.
Shaw is a freestylist from Pioneer High School and the Almaden Swim Club. Her time of 24.76 in the 50 free ranks her fourth on Fresno State's depth chart. She holds two records at Pioneer in the 100 and 500 free. In addition she was an automatic Western Zone Qualifier for 2001 Pacific Swimming.
"Dana is a very important sign for us as we needed to add some depth to our middle and distance freestyle events," said Irle.
Easey, a breastroker from John Abbott College, holds personal-best times of 1:05.54 in the 100 breast and 2:22.42 in the 200 breast, both rank second on Fresno State's depth chart. She is a Canadian national qualifier in the 50, 100 and 200 breast and placed 15th in the country at the Commonwealth Games Trial in the 200 breast.
"Kathryn will be an impact swimmer right away for us," said Irle. "She comes in as our No. 2 in both breast stroke events."
Elston, a diver at Clay High School and with the Double Dragon Diving Club, is a three-time state finalist and was a 2000 Junior Nationals qualifier for the platform. In addition, she finished fourth at the 2001 Junior Regionals in the 1-meter springboard.
"McKenzie is a quality diver who can challenge at the conference level immediately," said Irle.
