May 1, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
In preparation for the Illinois State swimming and diving 2006-07 season head coach Steve Paska and diving coach Tom Davidson continue to add to the team's roster. Adding two student-athletes this week, swimmer, Caitlin Falconer and diver, Kim Nelson-Wulff, will prove to be a strategic move for the season to come.
From Mundelein High School, Falconer swam on the varsity swim team all four years. During her senior year she was team captain. Falconer was a State Qualifier in 2002 and 2005. She was on second team All-Conference in 2002 and was also a sectional champ in 2002 in the 100 breaststroke.
Outside of the water, Falconer was a part of National Honors Society and was a peer leader. She earned Academic All-Conference in 2004 and 2005 and was on the High Honor Roll from 2002-2006. Along with her outstanding athleticism and academic performance, Falconer is very involved with youth groups and mission trips. While attending Illinois State, Falconer will be majoring in nursing or public relations
Coach Paska is looking forward to Falconer's contribution to all aspects of the team.
"Caitlin will add much-needed depth," said Paska. "She will be competing in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 200 IM. Our top sprint breaststroker is graduating and I feel that Caitlin will help make up for that loss. She will be a tremendous asset to the pool. She is a solid swimmer with a number of credentials and accomplishments."
Along with the addition of Falconer to the swim team, Nelson-Wulff will be contributing to the diving team. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Nelson-Wulff swam and dove at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. for four years on the varsity team. She was a co-captain her senior year. Nelson-Wulff began to focus on diving going into her junior year of high school. She trained with Northern Indiana Diving for two years, surrounding herself with elite divers.
Nelson-Wulff has been on the Honor Roll all four years and is an Indiana Academic Honors Diploma recipient. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. At Illinois State, Nelson-Wulff will be in the Honors Program and pursue a degree in Chemistry with and emphasis in Forensic Science.
After losing senior divers Emily Hirt and Kaitlin Schneider coach, Davidson will look to current team members and new members to step up and take their places.
"I am looking forward to working with Kim," said Davidson. "She will add an overall depth and give the team a great lift. She is a well-rounded athlete and she will do very well. She is a very hard worker and will be a positive influence on the team. I hope that the rest of the team and Kim can repeat last years success or do even better for the upcoming season."
