University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOLS ADD TO RECRUITING CLASS WITH THREE TALENTED SWIMMERS
May 11, 2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
May 11, 2006
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Fresh off one the most exciting seasons in school history, the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer swimming program has taken another step to ensure the long-term success of the team, as head coach Matt Kredich announced the signing of three highly-touted recruits on Thursday.
Brytanny Curran, Jamie Saffer and Laura Tomes recently signed national letters of intent and will join the Big Orange for the 2006-07 campaign. The trio brings the number of incoming freshman to six, as three inked with the Orange and White during the fall signing period.
"All three of these young women bring a great combination of ability, toughness and belief in themselves," Kredich said. "All three are excellent students. Together with our fall signees, this makes up a class that should help us continue to achieve great things on a national level."
Curran hails from Cary, N.C., and brings ample experience to Rocky Top. She is a senior national qualifier in the 200y breaststroke, in addition to being named all-state. The two-time state champion has swam with the Cary Academy for six years, serving as team captain last season. She owns five individual records at the Academy along with swimming with three record-setting relays. Curran has been successful in the classroom as well, garnering All-America status the past two campaigns.
"Bryttany is a very versatile swimmer who is on the steep part of an impressive improvement curve right now," Kredich said. "She's known on her current team as a hard worker and a great leader. Bryttany achieved her first senior national qualifying time this March in the 200y breaststroke."
"She should make an immediate impact at the SEC Championships in the breaststroke events and has the ability to contribute in any number of additional events."
Saffer, a native of Roswell, Ga., has had a dominating prep career. In 2006, she snagged runner-up honors in the 100y butterfly and 100y breaststroke, as well as swimming with the victorious 200 and 400y freestyle relays at the Georgia State High School Championships . The swimmer of the meet's efforts lifted Centennial High School to the team championship. The school record holder in four events, Saffer also received All-America status from 2003-05, with a triumphant effort in the 200y IM in 2004 serving as the highlight.
"Jamie was the first recruit to visit us this fall, and, after a breakout season, we feel fortunate that she has committed to join us next year," Kredich said. "Jamie's club coach believes she has a lot more improvement ahead of her, which is really exciting because she's fast enough to make an impact right now.
"Jamie will immediately help us in the breaststroke and fly events and swam faster than the NCAA "B" standard this spring in the 100 breaststroke."
Tomes, a Cincinnati, Ohio, product, makes the trip down I-75 with solid credentials. Tomes has received All-America status from 2003-06 in the 200 freestyle, along with picking up recognition in the 500 free in 2003, '05 and '06. Fourth-place showings in both the 200 and 500 free at the 2004 state championships serve as the highpoint. She has competed for Anderson High School the past four seasons, serving as team captain last year.
"Laura will give us quality and depth in our middle distance freestyle and IM events," Kredich said. "Her club coach praises Laura's relentless optimism and her great work ethic, traits that we really value here.
"We feel like Laura is already part of the Lady Vol swimming and diving family, as she has been such a great supporter of her sister. Megan Tomes, an NCAA All-American in 2006, will be a senior next year."
