WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women’s swimming and diving is excited to welcome its group of 11 freshmen into the program this week as the university prepares for the first day of classes on Aug. 22.
The group of 11 newcomers includes Australian diver Emily Meaney as well as swimmers Mackenzie Artim (Crown Point), Lea Cecil (Granger), Emily Converse (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Jinq En Phee (Malaysia), Anna Giesler (Holland, Mich.), Courtney Kresl (Fort Wayne), Sophie Levy (Shorewood, Minn.), Kate May (Glen Carbon, Ill.), Natalie Mudd (Fishers) and Reagan Thom (New Albany).
En Phee and Meaney both competed at prestigious international competitions in Rio de Janerio this year. As the Malaysian record holder in the 100 breaststroke, En Phee represented her country in the Olympic Games. Meaney competed on 10-meter at the FINA Diving World Cup in February.
Mudd is among the most versatile swimmers of the group. She was an U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier in the 100 backstroke this summer and also excels in the 50 free and 200 individual medley.
Artim, Cecil and Kresl excel in the freestyle sprints. Converse is mid-distance specialist in the freestyle events. Levy and May are at their best in the butterfly events. Along with En Phee, Giesler and Thom excel in the breaststroke.
The following is a quick alphabetical synopsis of the new Boilermakers as they begin their college experiences this month.
Mackenzie Artim
Hometown (High School): Crown Point, Ind. (Crown Point)
Club Team: Crown Point
Coach: John Kirk
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (23.71), 100 Free (51.81)
Parents: Mike & Karen Artim
Notable: Born in England; intends to major in nursing at Purdue
Lea Cecil
Hometown (High School): Granger, Ind. (Penn)
Club Team: PRO Swimming
Coaches: Paul Weisser, Dennis Molnar, Jess Preston
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (24.53), 100 Free (51.76)
Parents: Spencer & Jennifer Cecil
Notable: Part of two All-American relay both of her upperclassman seasons
Emily Converse
Hometown (High School): Grand Rapids, Mich. (East Grand Rapids)
Club Team: East Grand Rapids Aquatics
Coaches: Brandon Converse, Butch Briggs
Best Events (Top Times): 200 Free (1:52.59), 500 Free (5:01.00)
Parents: Brandon & Teresa Converse
Notable: Two-time division 3 state champion in the 500 free; part of relay state champs in swimming and track
Jinq En Phee
Hometown (High School): Subang Jaya, Malaysia (Kuen Cheng)
Coaches: Mark & Marilyn Chua, Paul Birmingham
Best Events (Top Times): 100 Breast (1:08.65 LCM), 200 Breast (2:34.47 LCM)
Parents: Phee Kean Chuan & Lim Peik Hoon
Notable: Malaysian record holder in 100 breast competed at the 2016 Olympic Games
Anna Giesler
Hometown (High School): Holland, Mich. (Holland)
Club Team: Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics
Coaches: Jim Whitehead, Sam Soukup
Best Events (Top Times): 100 Breast (1:05.31), 200 Breast (2:23.02)
Parents: Tom & Sara Giesler
Notable: Class valedictorian helped lead HHS to state titles in 2012 and 2013
Courtney Kresl
Hometown (High School): Fort Wayne, Ind. (Carroll)
Club Team: Northwest Aquatic Club
Coach: John Gibson
Best Events (Top Times): 50 Free (23.36), 100 Free (51.49)
Parents: Jim & Heather Kresl
Notable: Four-time state medalist as an upperclassman
Sophie Levy
Hometown (High School): Shorewood, Minn. (Minnetonka)
Club Team: Minnetonka Swim Club
Coaches: Sara Goff, Dan Berve
Best Event (Top Time): 100 Fly (56.57)
Parents: Luis & Patricia Levy
Notable: Two-time True Team state champ; 13-14 age group state champ in 100 fly
Kate May
Hometown (High School): Glen Carbon, Ill. (Edwardsville)
Club Team: Edwardsville YMCA Swim Team
Coaches: Bob Rettle, Christian Rhoten
Best Events (Top Times): 100 Fly (54.61), 200 Fly (1:58.98)
Parents: Thomas & Yukiko May
Notable: 2015 YMCA Long Course national champion in the 200 fly
Emily Meaney
Hometown (High School): Thornlands, Australia (Ormiston College)
Coach: Hui Tong
Best Event: Platform Diving
Parents: Angela & Mark Meaney
Notable: 2014 Australian Open 10-meter champion; competed for Australia at 2016 FINA Diving World Cup
Natalie Mudd
Hometown (High School): Fishers, Ind. (Hamilton Southeastern)
Club Team: Southeastern Swim Club
Coach: Andy Pederson
Best Events (Top Times): 200 Back (2:002.55), 100 Back (54.60), 50 Free (23.39), 200 IM (2:02.25)
Parents: Gregg & Tina Mudd
Notable: Olympic Trials qualifier 100 in back; siblings were/are swimmers at Ball State, Liberty and Ohio State
Reagan Thom
Hometown (High School): New Albany, Ind. (New Albany Senior)
Club Team: Pacesetter Aquatics
Coaches: Michael Pepa, Steve Bonifer, Ashley Manger
Best Event (Top Time): 100 Breast (1:04.97)
Parents: Joseph & Stacy Thom
Notable: Set new sectional records in 100 breast and 100 fly