Illinois State head swimming and diving coach
Steve Paska recently signed two more student-athletes for the 2005-2006 season. Paska signed four earlier this week, making for a total of six recruits thus far. The new Redbirds include Allison Fishbein and Alison Wippermann.
Both of these girls will add versatility to the team, said Paska Their work ethic will provide a positive impact to the team. Every recruit will prove valuable to the team in all areas of swimming and also academically.
Fishbein, a senior from Highland Park, Ill. High School has been an eight-year member of the club Coho swim team. She was named varsity MVP all four years and holds the Highland Park record in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay. Fishbein set the new pool record in the 200 IM at Glenbrook North High School and qualified for state in the same event. She is coached by former Illinois State swimmer Nancy Reese at Highland Park. Fishbein plans on majoring in bilingual/bicultural education.
Allison comes to Illinois State with the heart of a lion, said Paska. Her work ethic is extraordinary and she epitomizes what the term student athlete means. She strives for perfection in the classroom and in the swimming pool, she will play a significant role for the Redbird swim team.
Wippermann, a native of Chesterfield, Mo., attends Marquette High School. She has been a Missouri state finalist for three years in the 100-yard butterfly and 200 IM. While swimming for the Rockwood Swim Club team, Wippermann qualified for the USS sectional her junior and senior year. Wippermann plans on majoring in education while attending Illinois State.
The experience Alison has gained through her high school and club team has given her a wealth of knowledge on what she needs to do to be the best she can possibly be, said Paska. Alison is a versatile swimmer; she can swim both the IM and butterfly events which in turn will give us solid depth in those two specific events.
The Redbirds will travel to Akron, Ohio on Dec. 3 for the Giant Eagle Zips Invitational. The meet will start at 11 a.m. and continue through Sunday, Dec. 5.
