Ball State Signs Five Swimmers and Three Divers

July 17, 2008 | Women's Swimming and Diving

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's swimming and diving team announced the signing of eight recruits for the 2008-09 season. Joining the women's swimming and diving team will be Whitney Adams (Danville, Ind./Danville Community), Emily Haifley (Roanoke, Ind./Homestead), Sara Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper), Nicole Kmieciak (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central), Shelli Kopetsky (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove), Christina Riordan (Homewood, Ill./Mundelein), Nicole Saulters (Highland, Ind./Highland) and Elizabeth Spilman (Bristol, Ind./Northridge).

"The addition of these eight swimmers and divers will have an immediate impact on our program this season," said co-head coaches Laura Seibold-Caudill and Bob Thomas. "These athletes are very competitive and will have much success as Cardinals."

Adams has been competitively diving for six years. She is a four-year diving state finalist and placed fifth as a senior. Adams was the Hendricks County Champion her junior and senior year. She won sectionals as a senior and holds the Sagamore Conference 11 dive record. Adams currently holds four pool records at Danville, Greencastle, Brownsburg and Fountain Central. She finished her senior year undefeated and was the 2007 Hendricks County winter season female athlete of the year.

Haifley won four letters in swimming at Homestead. She established school records in the 200 free relay (1:36) and the 100 breast (1:05.55). Haifley earned a career best time of 103.70 in the 100 breast, clocked in a 221.90 in the 200 breast and a 52.99 in the 100 free. Haifley took a fifth place finish in the 100 breast, 10th in the 100 free and second in the 200 free relay at the state finals. She was an all-american and competed in the 2007 nationals. Haifley was selected first team all-state as a junior and senior. She was a state qualifier all four years.

Hostetler was member of the 200 medley relay that took top honors at the 2008 IHSAA secitionals with a final time of 1:55.54. She was the sectional champion in the 100 fly after swimming a 59.33. Hostetler took second in the 100 back (1:00.35) and in the 400 free relay (3:48.42) to close out her four events at sectionals as a senior. Hostetler won the state championship in the 200 back with a 2:10.11.

Kmieciak earned four varsity letters at Naperville Central High School in diving. She earned a career mark of 410.15 in 11 dives and a 227.4 in six dives, where she was a three- time state qualifier and a school record holder. Kmieciak was named all-conference and all-academic as a senior. She also qualified for the Illinois State Championships. Kmieciak was also a member of the academic honor roll.

Kopetsky qualified for state all four years at Franklin Community High School. She was a member of the 200 medley relay that finished second at the 2008 IHSAA sectionals with a time of 1:51.86. Kopetsky clocked in a time of 1:39.02 in the 200 free relay for a first place showing. She took second in the 200 back (58.56) and in the 400 free relay (3:40.18). Kopetsky swam four events at the state finals as a senior.

Riordan dove all four years at Flossmoor High School. She was voted most improved as a freshman. She qualified for state as a sophomore with a 21st place finish. Riordan went to state as a junior with a 30th place finish. She was sectional champion as a senior with a 10th place showing at state with a personal best score of 407.35 in 11 dives. Riordan received the most improved player award as a senior.

Saulters was a four-year letterwinner at Highland High School. She was a sectional champion in the 100 free, 100 back and 200 free relay. Saulters took 11th place in the 100 free and 12th in the 100 back at the high school state meet. She was all-area first team and first team all-conference as a senior.

Spilman swam all four years at Northridge High School. She was a conference and sectional champion as a senior and a state qualifier. At state Spilman took 17th in the 200 free. She was a team captain and voted most valuable for three years.