Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Signs Eight Women During First Round of Signings
12/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Dec. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head coach Ray Looze and the Indiana University swimming and diving program announced the signing of eight student-athletes for the 2006-07 academic year. Presley Bard (Napa, Calif./Napa), Brittany Barwegen (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior), Emma Berry (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwestern), Emily Lanteigne (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North), Cassie Luhrsen (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township), Emily Porteous (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central), Alyssa Rosinko (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) and Amilee Smith (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) will look to impact Indiana beginning with the 2006-07 campaign.
"Presley Bard probably has the most potential of anybody in the class," Looze said. "She will help in anywhere from the 50 to the 200 backstroke and will swim sprint freestyle up to 200 freestyle. She also comes from one of the best teams in the Terrapins from Concord."
A four-time All-American, Bard never lost in a high school dual meet as a member of Napa High School. During her prep career, Bard set team records in the 100 back, 100 breast, 50 free, 100 free and 200 IM. Additionally, she claimed sectional titles in the 100 free and 100 back as both a freshman and sophomore. After her sophomore season, Bard concentrated on the club circuit as a member of the Terrapins Swim Team. During that time period, she swam at three senior nationals, three U.S. Opens, two American Short Course Championships and at the 2005 World Trials.
"I chose Indiana for both athletic and academic reasons," Bard said. "I feel that they are striving to be the best and that is exactly what I wanted to be a part of. I felt an instant connection to the campus, coaches and teammates."
Away from the pool, the daughter of Shelley and Troy volunteered at swim clinics and served as a member of the Best Buddies club.
"Brittany Barwegen is an outstanding flyer and IMer," Looze said. "She is going to help us in both the 100 and 200 fly as well as the 400 IM."
A 13-time All-American, Barwegen led Plano Senior High to regional and district titles her final season. During her PSHS career, Barwegen placed third in the 200 IM twice and fourth in the 100 butterfly in 2005. Additionally, Barwegen set five school records during her time at Marcus High before moving to PSHS. As a member of the City of Plano club team, Barwegen traveled to junior nationals and placed 32nd in the 200 butterfly.
"I chose Indiana because it is a well-rounded top-20 team," Barwegen said. "I really liked the team, the great academics and the good school spirit."
Academically, Barwegen claimed USA Swimming All-American Academic honors as well as Who's Who Among American High School Students. She also earned a spot on the National French Honor Society. The daughter of Julie and Doug is also a lifeguard instructor for the American Red Cross. As a lifeguard for the City of Plano, Barwegen earned Rookie of the Year in 2004 and the 2005 Southwest lifeguard team championship.
"Emma Berry is a really strong 50 to 1,000 freestyler," Looze said. "She should help us in all of those freestyle events. She has a tremendous attitude and is a good leader. We are pleased to have her."
A freestyle specialist, Berry swam with the Kansas City Blazers club team. During her club career, she traveled to junior nationals, U.S. Open and sectionals.
"I chose Indiana because I felt like it was a place where I would be happy for the next four years of my life," Berry said. "The team has amazing potential, good team chemistry, great coaches and an atmosphere I can excel in. Indiana is an excellent school academically and athletically and the campus is beautiful."
The daughter of Lynn and John demonstrated excellence in the classroom. As a prep, she earned membership in the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She also garnered honor roll status.
"Emily Lanteigne has a beautiful build for a freestyler," Looze said. "She is tall and has a really nice stroke. Her room to improve is about as high as it can be. We will look for her to help in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyles."
An 11-time All-American, Lanteigne eclipsed 10 school records during her time at Naperville North. In 2005, she earned all-state and placed second in the 200 free at state. During her junior all-state season in 2004, Lanteigne set the 200 and 500 free records and finished second at state in both events. In 2003, she blew up the school record books with eight standards (the most in school history) as she cleared four individual thresholds and helped break four relay marks en route to another all-state nod. In 2002, she picked up her first all-state recognition. Meanwhile, she competed at junior nationals in 2005.
"I chose IU because I felt like I would enjoy living in Bloomington for the next four years of my life," Lanteigne said. "I fell in love with the city of Bloomington and IU's campus. I loved how the team acted like a family. Also, the pool and resources that Indiana has available for the swimmers amazed me. During my recruiting trip, I knew that if I went to IU, I would become a successful student-athlete. After the trip, I felt like IU was the school for me."
Away from the pool, the daughter of Joan and Louie served as a Star Raider, which is a group devoted to educating children about the dangers of drug use. She also picked up all-academic awards at NNHS.
"Cassie Luhrsen will be one of the best distance freestylers in the country," Looze said. "She has great range, technique and a tremendous desire to win."
A two-time All-American from O'Fallon Township, Luhrsen earned three all-state kudos as well as a pair of all-metro honors during her prep career. The three-time letterwinner also traveled to junior and senior nationals on the club circuit, while serving as team captain for two years.
"Indiana had what I needed and wanted academically," Luhrsen said. "When I met the coaches and team members, I seemed to fit in. I loved it. The program is up-and-coming and it is a place where I can improve."
Scholastically, the daughter of Nan and Doug garnered honor roll status three straight years. She also earned a scholarship letter and participated in SADD, Interact and Prom Committee. Furthermore, she served as the Ozark Swimming Athlete Representative.
"Emily Porteous is one of the better breaststrokers from the state of Indiana," Looze said. "She came on strong last summer. She was the first female we had commit to us. That just showed how much she wanted to be an Indiana Hoosier. That meant a lot."
An All-American from North Central, Porteous has a wide experience base to draw on as a Hoosier. Not only did she lead her squad to three consecutive top-three finishes at state, her team also claimed a trio of sectional and county crowns during her prep career. Overall, North Central posted a 34-6 dual-meet record with Porteous. Meanwhile, Porteous earned the Most Improved Swimmer award on her team as a sophomore and junior. She also garnered co-captain status as a senior.
On the club circuit, Porteous swam for Washington Township located in Indianapolis. She competed at an array of club events during her time with Washington Township. Her highest finish came with a fourth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke at the 2005 senior state championships. Meanwhile, she swam at senior and junior nationals in Irvine, Calif., the Counsilman Classic in Indianapolis and the senior state championships in 2005. She also swam in the Speedo Central Zone Championships in 2004.
"First, I am honored to have been offered such a great opportunity at IU and to swim for a school with as much tradition as IU," Porteous said. "I feel my desire and drive to improve will fit well with what Coach Looze and the entire staff and team are striving to achieve. Being reunited with Coach Pam Swander is absolutely fantastic. I love the campus and the multiple educational opportunities that are available. The entire swim team welcomed my visit and showed me what a tight-knit team they truly are. The opportunity to attend the same school as my sister and mother is also a huge bonus."
Away from the pool, the daughter of Leslie and John earned the North Central Panther Recognition Service Award in 2005. She also garnered the Fine Art Festival Award for Achievement, while serving as the student assistant to the Dean of Students in 2004 and 2005. Meanwhile, she claimed high honor roll status during her prep career.
"Alyssa Rosinko is one of the top freestylers and butterfliers in the state of Indiana," Looze said. "She is one of the first swimmers I have signed from Carmel. We are excited to have somebody with that kind of legacy of winning. They have won 19 straight state titles, which is the nation's longest streak in any sport."
A nine-time All-American, Rosinko helped Carmel to three state championships during her time at CHS. Additionally, Rosinko won the 100 butterfly state championship in 2005 and swam on the state championship medley relay team in both 2003 and 2004. Meanwhile, Rosinko qualified for nationals in the 100 fly and the U.S. Open in the 50 free and 100 back. On the club level, Rosinko competed at senior and junior nationals for the Washington Township Swim Club. She placed seventh in the 100 fly and fifth in the medley relay at junior nationals.
"I chose Indiana because I absolutely loved the team, the coaching staff and the beautiful campus," Rosinko said.
Academically, the daughter of Denise and Richard snared honor roll status all four years of high school.
"Amilee Smith is one of the best breaststrokers in the country," Looze said. "She is from the Washington, D.C., area and she is going to take care of our breaststroke for years to come. She is an outstanding swimmer and a very good IMer in her own right."
A member of the Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club, Smith swam at both the 2004 Olympic Trials and the 2005 Senior Nationals.
"When I visited Indiana, I just loved everybody I met," Smith said. "They all seemed to get along so well and have so much fun; I wanted to be part of it. Everyone I have told that I am going to Indiana next year has said that it is such a great place to go."
During her swimming career, the daughter of Carolyn and Darrell primarily swam the breaststroke and IM events.
The Hoosiers anticipate announcing more signees in the weeks to come. Keep an eye on IUHOOSIERS.com for any developments.
