University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL SWIMMING ANNOUNCES RECRUITING CLASS
December 03, 2003 | Women's Swimming & Diving
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
 Laura Fehrman  Christine Magnuson  Kaitlyn Orstein |
Head Coach Dan Colella and the University of Tennessee swimming & diving program announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2004-05 academic year. Laura Fehrman (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North H.S.), Sallye Hartman (Jackson, Tenn./Halls H.S.), Christine Magnuson (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew H.S.) and Kaitlyn Orstein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon H.S.) will look to replace outgoing senior Taryn Ternent (Edenvale, South Africa).
"Once again, we are really excited about our extremely talented signees," Colella said. "As this season's motto goes, the ripple effect just continues. This is the third year in a row that we have signed some of the leading high school seniors in the nation, and they are going to help us continue taking our program to new heights at the national level. They not only are going to be huge contributors individually, but will help our relays compete at the highest levels. Kaitlyn, Christine, Laura and Sallye are thrilled to be a part of the Lady Vol program, and we cannot wait until next year when they are a part of the team."
Fehrman will enter UT having already garnered high school All-America recognition four times coming into her senior season. She was a member of the 2003 Illinois Elite Camp at the United States Olympic Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in May. Over the past two seasons, Fehrman led her prep squad to two-straight Illinois High School Association sectional championships while serving as team captain her junior year. Additionally, Fehrman earned all-state recognition in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay from 2000-02.
"Laura, another premier sprinter from the Chicago area, really impressed me during the recruiting process," Colella said. "She is a major competitor who will also help make everyone around them that much better. She will be a major contributor to our sprint relays next season. We are excited about having recruited two high school teammates, Christine and Laura, to come to UT together."
Hartman comes to Rocky Top as a two-time All-American at Halls H.S. During her prep career, she swam the 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and the 200 breaststroke as well as earned a varsity letter on the volleyball squad. Hartman also competed for the Memphis Thunder at the U.S. Summer Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She also proved to be a powerhouse in the classroom as she earned Halls' "Top-Five" academic honor as well as National Honor Society recognition. Hartman also served on the student council and was a member of DECA, FFA and the Spanish club while in high school.
"Sallye is a Tennessee resident who an All-American in the breast," Colella said. "Sallye is someone who absolutely loves the sport when she is traveling over one hour each way once or twice a day to train with the Memphis Thunder. It is this type of dedication that attracted us to her in addition to her already established accomplishments. College is actually going to be a relief for her, especially when you take that travel time and turn it into a three-minute walk from the dorm to the pool."
Magnuson will don the Orange and White as a six-time All-American as she earned the distinction four times in 2002 as a member of the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay as well as the 100 freestyle and the 200y freestyle. She was also tabbed to the All-America squad in 2003 in the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle. A four-time all-state recipient, Magnuson claimed the state championship in the 100 freestyle in 2002 while leading Victor J. Andrew H.S. to 10th place at the state championships and a conference crown. The four-year letterwinner in swimming also helped her squad to conference and sectional championships in 2001 and to a sectional title in 2000. She also trained with the water polo team en route to claiming four letters on that squad as well. Manguson also maintains five individual school records and two relay standards at VJAHS. Scholastically, she earned high honor roll status each of her four years and was named to the National Honor Society. She also epitomized the Volunteer spirit held in high regard at UT, serving as a tutor in both math and science.
"Christine is not only the two-time 100 freestyle state champion of Illinois, she is also one of the leading 200 freestylers in the nation coming out of high school this year," Colella said. "She is still very raw in certain areas and as a result I am confident that she has a lot more swimming potential ahead of her. She is going to be a huge addition to all of our relays next year and put us in a position to really contest at the national level."
Orstein, meanwhile, has amassed 15 All-America certificates in her time at Mt. Lebanon H.S. Her impressive resume includes state-champion honors in the 200y individual medley her junior season as well as three state crowns in the 100y breaststroke her freshman, sophomore and junior years. A four-year letterwinner in swimming, Orstein led her squad to the 2002 state championships as well as the 2001-03 district crowns. During her time at MLHS, her team is 42-6 in dual meets. In the classroom, Orstein earned honor roll accolades as well as served on the student athletic council.
"Kaitlyn is one of the leading breaststrokers coming out of high school this year," Colella said. "But the exciting thing about Kaitlyn is her versatility. She is also an exceptional IMer as well as freestyler, one who can contend at the highest level both within the conference and nationally. She is an absolute ball of fire and will help everyone around her take it to another level."
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE SWIMMING & DIVING SIGNEES | ||
| Name | Ht. | Hometown/High School |
| Laura Fehrman | 5-6 | St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North |
| Sallye Hartman | 5-6 | Jackson, Tenn./Halls |
| Christine Magnuson | 6-0 | Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew |
| Kaitlyn Orstein | 5-7 | Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon |
