June 29, 2009

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State women's swimming and diving program has added three more student-athletes after the trio signed National Letters of Intent. Director of Competitive Aquatics/Head Coach Wally Morton made the official announcement on Monday (June 29) morning.

Michalle Ferro, Allison Pallija and Emily Simard are all set to join the Viking program for the 2009-10 academic year.

"These three girls, when added to the two very good swimmers we signed in November, should allow us to build on the progress we made last year and be even more successful in 2009-10," Morton said. "We feel we have quality in almost every event now, and are building some versatile depth as well."

A native of Litchfield Park, Ariz., Ferro will be a contributor for the Vikings in the backstroke and breaststroke. She was a four-year state qualifier at Millenium H.S., earning All-American honors as a senior.

"Michelle should impact the Horizon League in all of her events," Morton said. "She achieved her lifetime best performances last year in a non-technical suit, and should immediately help our relays as well."

Pallija, a graduate of Wadsworth H.S., is the school record holder in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 medley relay. A four-year district qualifier, she was also a member of the honor roll.

"Allison only devoted herself to full-time swimming in the past year and saw some very nice improvement," Morton said. "We feel great about her potential."

Simard is a native of Tecumseh, Ontario and was a senior national qualifier as well as an honor student.

"Emily has a national level pedigree with a lot of room to improve," Morton said. "Her times coming in rank her as one of the best breaststrokers in the history of the program."