Nov. 21, 2009
Contact: Renee Adam
Cleveland, Ohio - The Cleveland State swimming and diving teams will be joined by three freshmen this coming fall, as Hannah Morris (Marietta, Ohio), Ashley Rossi (Clearwater, Florida) and Alex Lewis (New Richmond, Ohio) will join the squad in back, fly and distance events.
Morris, a senior at Marietta high school, who placed second in the 100 fly at the Division II state championships last year, will add quality depth to all fly events for the Vikings. During her high school career she has had excellent times in the 100 and 200 fly that will be competitive with many swimmers this season.
"Hannah is going to add great depth to our fly events next year," head coach Wally Morton said. "She has recorded some great times already in her swimming career and has the potential to make it to the league championships as a freshman if she continues to work hard. She will not only help us with individual events, but she will also help us with our relays as well."
Rossi, a native of Clearwater, Florida, will help CSU in back and distance events after qualifying for the state championships in distance events. The Vikings will work to put her in the lineup for the 500, 1,000 and 1,650 free events next season. She will join the squad after swimming at the Clearwater Aquatic Club, one of the best clubs in the state of Florida.
"I am very excited for Ashley to join the team next season as one of the top distance swimmers from the Florida area," Morton said. "She has a great work ethic that will match well with the other swimmers on our team. Because of her dedication to the sport she has the potential to get faster and faster and could very well be a competitor at the Horizon League meet.
The men's squad will be joined by Lewis, who is a senior at New Richmond high school. He will help the Vikings in both fly and free events next year. At the start of his senior season he is has been one of the top swimmers in the southwest area.
"Alex will be a great addition to the team next year, after losing two of our top fly and free sprinters after this year," Morton said. "He has the opportunity to fill a large role on the team, and hopefully through hard work and training he will be able to do that for us."
