Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Sign Two New Swimmers for 2011
11/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 17, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Jeanne Fleck and the Fresno State swimming and diving team announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent for the 2011-12 season. Taylor Scilufo and Courtney Sheehan will join the Bulldogs in 2011 for the fourth year of the program since it returned in 2008.
"We are really excited about both Courtney and Taylor and they will both fill needs we have as a team," said head coach Jeanne Fleck. "We pinpointed both student-athletes early and Ryan (Purdy, assistant coach) did a great job recruiting and has brought in top notch athletes for the 2011-12 season. Both will come in to give us strong depth in multiple events. With these two on the team it will be competitive across the board."
"Taylor is going to be a great addition to our team," said assistant coach Ryan Purdy. "She will do a great job bolstering our lineup in the Fly and IM events. Taylor is a versatile swimmer that will even be able to help us in the Freestyle events if we need and add some depth to our relays."
Taylor Scilufo will come to Fresno from Pleasantville, New York where she will graduate from Pleasantville High School. In her final season of high school athletics Scilufo is the swim team captain. Her junior year she was a New York State Qualifier in the 100 Fly and 200 IM, further she earned All-Section and All-League honors.
"Getting someone from the East Coast is a great achievement for our team," said Purdy. "It shows that the growth of our team has drawn attention from all over the United States."
Scilufo is also a competitive swimmer in the club scene. She is a U.S. Short Course National (56.79) and U.S. Open Qualifier (1:03.84) in the 100 Fly.
"Our entire team had a feeling that when Taylor came on her trip," Purdy continued, "She knew that California was the place for her to spend her college years, and we are glad she came to that decision."
The second National Letter of Intent signee is Courtney Sheehan, who will come to the Central Valley from Waukesha, Wisc.
"From the second Courtney set foot on campus we knew she would be a great fit for our program," said Purdy. "She instantly bonded with our current team and gave us all the impression that she would be an outstanding member of the Bulldog Family." Sheehan is in her final year at Waukesha South High School where she has achieved high school All-American status in the 200 and 500 Freestyle events. She also earned All-State honors in the 200 and 500 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle Relay.
Courtney also competes for the Waukesha Express Swim Team under coach Blaine Carlson. She is the club record holder in the 500 Freestyle (4:53.97) and was the 2009 State Champion in the 1650 Freestyle.
"Courtney will really strengthen out Distance Freestyle group and we look forward to her being a big contributor in the 200, 500 and mile events over the next four year," said Purdy. "She has already swum lifetime best times that would have qualified in the top 8 at the WAC Meet in three different events last year."
"We Are Your Team!" - The Fresno State swimmers head to the Arena Invitational and the divers go to the Wildcat Diving Invite. Stay updated on go bulldogs.com for recaps and results. Black Friday Turns Red Nov. 22-26 at the Bulldog Shop and Fresno State Ticket Office. Great deals all week long including buy one get one tickets to basketball and football and deals on great Bulldog apparel. Check gobulldogs.com for a full schedule of Fresno State's Greatest Week Long Sales Event.
