Beavers Add Two Swimmers For 2008-09 Season
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Rachel Wahl and Anna Heller are the newest additions to the Oregon State University swim team’s roster for the 2008-09 season, head coach Larry Liebowitz announced Monday.
Wahl is a junior transfer from Allen Hancock Community College, where she swam on the Santa Maria swim team for the majority of her swimming career. She qualified for the USA Olympic Trials in the 100 butterfly (1:01.73) and the 200 butterfly (2:14.80), which will be held in July. She has set several team records with the Santa Maria swim team.
“Rachel adds another flyer to our already strong group of flyers,” Liebowitz said. “She will have an immediate impact on the team.”
Heller graduated from Central Catholic high school where she competed for the Rams for three years. Her sophomore year, she competed in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle where she finished 9th in both events during the state championships. Her junior year, she placed 9th in the breaststroke and during her senior year, she placed fifth in the backstroke and 4th in the 200 individual medley.
“I choose Oregon State because I feel it is a great school with many opportunities,” Heller said. “I also feel the swimming program has been gaining headway over the years and they have become more competitive in the Pac-10 as well as at the NCAA's. I think Larry is a great coach with a lot of experience and I am very excited to swim for him next season.”
While competing for her swim club, she achieved NCSA Junior National Times in the 100 and 200 backstroke and in the 200 and 400 IM. She has also been an Oregon Top 5 finisher.
“Anna is a good backstroker and IMer,” Liebowitz said. “She is one of the fastest improving swimmers in Oregon and I am looking forward to helping her continue that progress.”
Saori Haruguchi continues to train in her quest for a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Haruguchi is currently preparing for the Japan Open, which will be held during the middle of June.
To follow the Oregon State swim team, log on to www.osubeavers.com.
