Gardner-Webb Swimming Signs Nine To National Letters Of Intent
December 08, 2014 | Swimming
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Head Coach Mike Simpson announced Monday that the Gardner-Webb University swim team, has announced the signing of nine student-athletes during the Fall signing period.
The Gardner-Webb swim team received committments from Joshua Clarke, Jake Ennis, Whitney Peters, Morgan VanderSchaaf, Emily Nordberg, Juliana Denmark, Carol Zangla, Kate Arceneaux, and Tessa Walsh.
""We had several key areas we wanted to focus on with this recruiting class, and I think we have an outstanding group of both men and women who fulfill those areas," said Gardner-Webb head swim coach Mike Simpson. "Additionally, each of these student-athletes bring a strong drive not only athletically but also to the classroom where they will excel. "We have enjoyed getting to know these athletes over the last months, and are looking forward to what they bring the Runnin' Bulldog family!"
Clarke, a native of York, Pa is a homeschooled student that swims for Northern York High School. Clarke holds several school and pools records for Northern York High School, and also competes for both the West Shore YMCA Short Course National Team and the York UMCA Summer Long Course National Teams. An accomplished swimmer and student, Clarke excels in the classroom, holding a 4.0 GPA and has the distinguished honor of being named to the 2013-14 Scholastic All American Team. Undecided about a major, Clarke is considering majoring in Computer Information Systems or Computer Science.
Ennis joins the Runnin' Bulldogs from Greensboro, N.C. where he attends Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, N.C. A four-year All-Conference Performer and State Qualifier, Ennis helped lead Ragsdale to a conference championship in 2014. Ennis competed in both short course and long course at the 2014 YMCA Nationals and holds the GCY Makos team records in the 50 and 100 breast. Ennis has been a junior swim coach at the Adams Farm Swim & Tennis Club for last two years and has participated in the Appalachian Service Project with Westover Church for the last two years. Named Co-Captain for Ragsdale High School in his senior year, Ennis plans to major in Communications and Marketing.
Peters come to Gardner-Webb from Bozeman, Mt. where she is homeschooled and was selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. She currently holds six long-course team records (5 breaststroke and 1 IM) in different age groups. Peters is a two-year team captain and won the Butterfly Award (hardest worker) in 2012. A multi-sport athlete, Peters also plays volleyball where she has been a three-year member of the varsity team and has been a starter for the last two seasons. Currently undecided on a major, Peters is considering majoring in Exercise Science.
VanderSchaaf comes to GWU from Jenison, Mich. where she is a four-year All-Conference performer. VanderSchaaf earned All-State honors during her junior year and was named First-Team All-Area. An accomplished student, VanderSchaaf is currently top 5% in her class, was named Senior of the Month and Academic All-State. While at Gardner-Webb, VanderSchaaf intends to major in Nursing.
Nordberg joins the Runnin' Bulldogs from Woodbridge, Va., where she began her swimming career at the age of 5 with Occoquan Swimming (OCCS) in the Potomac Valley (PVS) LSC. Twice named "Most Inspirational Female Athlete" for OCCS, Nordberg is a now a senior member of the team's National Training Group. A four-time PVS Scholar Athlete, Nordberg was the Valedictorian of the 2014 Grace Preparatory School's Senior class and intends to pursue a major in Health Sciences with emphasis towards Physical Therapy.
Denmark is a graduate of Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, NC, where she earned four varsity letters for Women's Swimming, and was named co-captain her senior year. As a member of the Pride, she was part of the Cap 8 Conference Women's Championship Team for 2014 and qualified for regionals and states during her tenure. While swimming with the TAC Titans, under Coach John (JP) Payne and Dennis Davis, Denmark has been on the State Championship Team in consecutive years specializing in Backstroke, IM and Freestyle. Denmark plans to major in Exercise Science and is the daughter of Mike and Roxanna Denmark. She has two brothers, Jonathan (25) and Jordan (23) who is an alumni swimmer from Gardner-Webb.
Zangla is a native of McLean, Va. where she is a captain and varsity letterwinner for the Robinson Swim and Dive Team. Zangla swims club for Nations Capital Swim Club (NCAP) under the leadership of Pete Morgan and is a member of the NCAP National Team. While competing for the NCAP National Team, Zangla is a junior national qualifier in the 100 fly and 400 IM and qualified for the Summer junior nationals in the 50 fly, 100 fly, 100 free, and 400 IM. Competing for the Robinson Swim and Dive Team, Zangla finished third in the 200 and 400 free relay and was a finalst in the 100 fly and 200 IM at the Virginia State 6A state championships. The oldest of five children who all compete in swimming, Zangla plans to major in nursing.
Arceneaux comes to Gardner-Webb from Katy, Texas where she swims for Seven Lakes High School and Katy Aquatics. Arceneaux has been a major contributor to her high school team where she has been District Champion (500 Free), a 5A State Qualifier (100 Fly), as well as being an integral member of the Spartan relays. She is also an NCSA Junior National Qualifier in the 100 Fly, 200 Fly and 200 Free. An accomplished student who excels in the classroom, Arcenaux is member of the National Honor Society, recipient of the Sophomore Leadership Award, Junior Service Award, and was named to the 2013 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American Team. Arceneaux intends to major in nursing.
Walsh joins the Gardner-Webb swim team from Christiansburg, Va. where she is a homeschool student, and has competed for her club team, H2okie Aquatics since 2003. Walsh qualified for the junior nationals during both her freshman and junior years, and placed 20th in the 200 butterfly during her second appearance at the national meet. She qualified for winter Senior Nationals in the 200 butterfly with a 2:01.32 as well as in the 100 butterfly with 55.84. While attending Gardner-Webb, Walsh intends to major in global studies with the aspiration to live overseas after graduating from college.
