Richardson Announces Group of Four Early Signees
12/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
"I'm very excited about this group," Richardson said. "Each one of them has proven throughout their high school careers that they have what it takes both in the classroom and in the pool to compete at a high level. It will be fun to see them reach their potentials and watch them grow over the next four years."
The 2002 Delaware High School Swimmer of the Year, Brady joins the Maize and Blue with the ability to compete in several events. A three-time high school All-American (2000, '01, '02), she holds four state records, eclipsing top times in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles (23.76 and 51.49), the 100-yard backstroke (56.58) and 100-yard butterfly (55.88). Brady was coached in high school by Dave Bradley and competed for Team Delaware on the club level.
"We think Kaitlyn has a lot of untapped potential," said Richardson. "She hasn't trained mornings or weights yet so there's a lot of potential for strength improvement there, which should translate to better speed and faster times. We think she will be a very solid seven-event swimmer for us and be able to have an impact in those events."
Gilliam has also earned high school All-America status three times (2000, '01, '02) while swimming at the Bolles School, Florida's state champion for the last 12 consecutive years. Projected to be a middle distance and distance swimmer at Michigan, Gilliam has set age-group records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles. Currently, she holds the nation's second fastest high school time in the 500-yard freestyle this season (4:48.41).
"Susan comes in as the fastest yards milers we've ever recruited and has one of the fastest 500-free times we've ever recruited," said Richardson. "She'll primarily focus on the 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyles. Certainly she'll be one of the people we'll be looking to to have an impact on the 800-yard freestyle relay."
A two-time Michigan state champion, Smith is a versatile athlete that can swim multiple events. Smith helped Dexter win the 2002 state championship with her victories in the 100-yard freestyle, breaking the state record in the process (50.83), and 200-yard individual medley. A team captain in 2002, Smith has collected Dexter records in the 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle (1:52.94) and 500-yard freestyle (5:03.27), as well as the 100-yard backstroke (57.37) and 200-yard individual medley (2:06.61).
"Lindsey Smith has a huge upside," said Richardson. "She's just now beginning to show some significant improvements. I think she has the ability to handle anything from the 50 to the 1,650 freestyles. She's also shown a lot of potential in the 100- and 200-backstrokes. Those are two events we're going to pay her a lot of attention."
Stein will join the Wolverines with impressive high school credentials. Currently competing with Germantown Academy in Pennsylvania, Stein is a native of Niwot, Colo., and was named Colorado's female swimmer of the year in 1999. A high school All-American, she will also bring national experience to the Maize and Blue roster after competing with the U.S. National Junior and the U.S. Open Water World Championship teams. Stein is ranked 23rd in the world in the 1,500-meter freestyle with her time of 16:37.51 and can compete in a range of events.
"Annie is really one of the best distance freestyle and 400 IMers in the world," said Richardson. "She was in the top 10 on the junior list in 2001. She'll be able to handle the mile, the 500 free and probably swim a very good 200 free for us. We're excited to have her on board."
The Maize and Blue is not scheduled to compete again until Jan. 2, 2003, when it races at the Rainbow Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii, as part of its annual winter training trip.
U-M Women's Swimming and Diving 2002 Early Signees
Kaitlyn Brady
Wilmington, Del. (Mt. Pleasant HS)
High School All-American 2000-2002
Holds four Delaware state records
Best times
50 free - 23.55
100 free - 51.49
100 back - 56.46
100 fly - 55.88
Susan Gilliam
Jacksonville, Fla. (The Bolles School)
High School All-American 2000-2002
Best times:
200 free - 1:49.24
500 free - 4:48.41
1650 free - 16:27.30
Lindsey Smith
Dexter, Mich. (Dexter HS)
High School-All American 2001-2002
Michigan State Champion 100 free
Michigan State Champion 200 IM
Best times:
100 free - 50.83
200 free - 1:52.9
100 back - 57.37
200 IM - 2:06.61
Anne Stein
Niwot, Colo. (Germantown Academy, Pa.)
1999 Colorado female swimmer of the year
USA National Junior Team
2000 USA Open Water World Championship Team
High school All-American
Best times:
800 meter free - 8:51.09
1500 meter free - 16:37.51 (23rd in the world)
400 meter IM - 4:52.81
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
