Boiling Springs, N.C. - Head coach Mike Simpson, in conjunction with the Gardner-Webb athletic department, has announced the signings of seven student-athletes who will continue their athletic and academic endeavors as part of the Runnin' Bulldog family.

Gardner-Webb swimming received pledges from Lauren Oglesby, London Shumacher, Kelsey Williams, John Baker, Mason Hutchinson, Zachary Key, and Fred Simons during the 2013 Fall signing period.

Oglesby comes to Gardner-Webb from Woodstock, Ga. after a successful career at Etowah High School. Oglesby secured a 5th place finish in the 500 free at 2012 Georgia H.S. State Championships.

A distance freestyle specialist, Oglesby also recorded Top 10 finishes in both the 500 and 1,000 free at the 2012 Georgia Senior State Meet while swimming for Chattahooche Gold Swim Club. Oglesby is a Sectional Team qualifier in both the 1,000 and 1,650 free and is a Junior National qualifier in the 1,000 free. She intends to major in Exercise Science upon arriving at Gardner-Webb.

Shumacher, from Waynesville, N.C. swam at Tuscola H.S. Specializing in distance and IM events, Shumacher was named as a team captain at Tuscola.

Shumacher also competed for Smokey Mountain Aquatic Club and was a former teammate of current Runnin' Bulldog Nathan Lile at SMAC. Shumacher enjoyed an impressive club career, highlighted by breaking several team records and earning Junior National qualification in the 400 IM in July of 2013. She competed at the prestigious Speedo Championship Series during long course and short course seasons the past two years.

A hard-worker in the classroom as well as in the pool, Shumacher currently holds a perfect 4.0 GPA at Tuscola H.S. and is ranked first in her class. A member of the National Honor Society, FCA, and the Ecology Club, Shumacher intends to major in Biology at GWU.

Williams comes to Gardner-Webb from North Augusta, S.C. A three-time team MVP under coach Joy Collins at North Augusta H.S., Williams was an All-State selection during both her junior and senior seasons and was honored by earning North Augusta's Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of Distinction award both those seasons. She holds twelve North Augusta H.S. records.

Additionally, Williams competes for Greater Augusta Swimming and coach Jeffery Rout, where she has been a force in the pool. At 2013 S.C. State Championships, the sprint standout won the 100 free, placed 2nd in the 50 free, and split 23.29 on the 3rd place 200 free relay team. In all, Williams reset a total of nine Greater Augusta records during the 2012-13 season.

Williams' résumé in the pool is complemented by her efforts in the classroom. A recipient of her school's Presidents Award, Williams is a member of the 'A' Honor Roll and intends to major in Exercise Science upon arriving to Gardner-Webb.

Baker (Huntersville, N.C.), a standout at Southlake Christian Academy as well as club powerhouse SwimMAC Carolina, is a four-time Top 3 finisher at 3A NCISAA State Championships. Baker, who trained under coach Gary Anderson at Southlake Christian and coaches Pam Swander and Alan Pfau at SwimMAC, is also a Junior National Qualifier individually.

Baker's leadership both in and out of the pool have helped lead his team to four consecutive Metrolina Athletic Conference Championships.

Hutchinson, from Gonzales, La., is a four-time State Championships qualifier for East Ascension H.S. The versatile swimmer placed 2nd in both the 100 fly and the 200 IM at High School State Championships. Hutchinson also earned All-Metro status the past three years at East Ascension.

Also a standout for Crawfish Aquatics and coach Jayme Cramer, Hutchinson proved an invaluable member of his club, racing to four state championships in the 200 fly. Hutchinson, a member of a Louisiana state record-holding and Junior National qualifying 400 medley relay team, has also qualified for Junior Nationals individually in the 100 fly, 200 fly, and 200 IM.

A member of the National Honors Society and four-time Honor Roll student, Hutchinson intends to major in Computer Science at Gardner-Webb.

Key, a home-schooled student from Lenoir, N.C., won 2012 State Championships among home-schooled student-athletes in both the 100 and 200 freestyles. Key, a state and sectional qualifier during both short course and long course seasons, trained and competed for Swim Lenoir.

Key has broken four Swim Lenoir records during his club career and placed 2nd under the club's banner at 2012 Blue Ridge Swim League Championships. He intends to major in Nursing upon arriving at GWU.

Simons comes to Gardner-Webb from Winter-Haven, Fla., where the breaststroke and IM specialist made waves as a senior. Simons rose to the occasion at competitive Florida H.S. State Championships, placing 3rd in the 200 IM in earning All-State honors.

Simons, who added a 6th place finish in the 100 breast at 2013 Florida H.S. States, out-swam the field to win the 100 breast at 2013 Senior Championships. He currently holds a 4.1 weighted GPA and intends to major in business at Gardner-Webb.