Jaclyn Weber and Shannon Pappas have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers as new members of the 2003-04 swimming and diving team.
Weber, who attends York High School in Elmhurst, Ill., will be looked upon to make an immediate impact for the Birds in the breaststroke next season. At York, she was an IHSA state qualifier in the 100 fly, 100 breast and a member of the state-qualifying 200 and 400 free relays. She also holds her schools varsity records in the 100 breast and as a member of both the 200 and 400 relays.
A member of the varsity team all four years, Weber was the captain on Yorks 2002 team and was voted most valuable during her sophomore and junior seasons. Weber, who is planning to major in social work, is also a member of the York water polo team, which she captained last season.
Illinois State head coach
Steve Paska feels Weber will be a strong addition to the 2003-04 Redbird team.
On paper, shes one of our top breast swimmers, said Paska. Well concentrate on that and let her versatility tell us what else shell be strong in.
Pappas, a product of Joliet Catholic Academy in Joliet, Ill., will be swimming multiple events for the Birds next season. Pappas qualified for the state meet in the 200 IM her senior season placing tenth, and was seventh in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 fly at the district meet. Through participating on the BRRyall club swim team, she has been a member of the Summer National team from 1999-2001 and competed on the 2002 Spring National Team.
Paska is excited about Pappas being named one of the ten recruits to the Redbird swimming and diving team and believes her experience competing in national competitions will benefit her at Illinois State.
She has a lot of club swimming experience and I dont think training will be that much different here for her, said Paska.
So far, the Redbirds have added ten new student-athletes to the 2003-04 roster.
