Rice Adds Three to Incoming Class
6/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
June 25, 2007
HOUSTON -- The Rice swimming team added three standouts to the roster for the 2007-08 season, head coach Seth Houston announced Monday. The new signees are Karen Gerken of Cedar Park, Texas; Sarah Korellis of Champaign, Ill; and Sally DeWitt of Alexandria, La.
Gerken, who competed for Cedar Park High School and Texas Gold Swimming, earned all-America and all-State honors in the 500 free posting her best time of 5:02.34. Gerken also received all-America honors for her work in the classroom while additionally being named a National Merit Finalist. She will also be a second generation Rice swimmer as her parents Chris and Kay Gerken both finished their careers as Owl record-holders in multiple events. The former Kay Snell held the Rice record in six individual events three relays, and was a four-time recipient of the Catherine Hannah award as the Owls' top swimmer. Chris held three individual marks and was on four different record-setting relay teams.
Korellis swam for Champaign Centennial High School and Storm Aquatics and is a two-time all-America and four-time state qualifier (in four different individual events). She as posted top times of 2:09.57 in the 200 IM and 4:39.48 in the 400 IM. She is also a three-time academic all-America.
DeWitt was named the regional swimmer of the year all four years at Bolton High School and also swam for Crawfish Aquatics. She posted top times of 24.89 in the 50 free and 1:58.90 in the 200 free. At Bolton High School, she served as the president of the student council and was named a Louisiana State Board of Education Regents Scholar. In addition to her prowess in the pool, DeWitt also lettered in soccer and tennis.
The new trio of signees join Ashten Ackerman of Kissimmee, Fla. and Hannah Chura of Bozeman, Mont., in completing the Owls incoming freshman class.
"This freshman class, like others, will bring some excitement and new blood to the team," said Huston. "We have really strengthened ourselves in the IM events and stoke events in particular. I am very optimistic about these young ladies ability to greatly improve personally and contribute to Rice Swimming this year and over their collegiate careers."
2007 Rice Swimming Signee Bios
Sally DeWitt * Freestyle/Butterfly
Alexandria, La. (Bolton H.S./Crawfish Aquatics)
* Regional Swimmer of the Year (9-12 grade)
* Swimmer of the Year, Central Louisiana Conference (9-12)
* President of Student Council and National Honor Society member
* American Legion Leadership Award recipient
* Also lettered in soccer and tennis
Coach Huston said: "Sally is a very bright student and a multiple sport athlete in track, soccer and tennis besides swimming. Sally has a great deal of potential as she has spent limited time training for swimming. Sally really wanted to come to Rice and swim. I think she has the heart and desire to succeed and that is what we are looking for in our student-athletes"
Karen Gerken * Freestyle
Cedar Park, Texas (Cedar Park H.S./Texas Gold Swimming)
* All-America and all-state in the 500 free
* Female senior athlete of the year
* National Merit Semifinalist
* AP Scholar with Distinction
* Daughter of former Rice record holders, Chris and Kay (Snell) Gerken.
Coach Huston said: "Karen had a great senior year and we think she can really improve and help us in our distance events. Karen comes from a long line of Rice swimmers and graduates and was born and raised as an owl fan. Karen really wants to be at Rice and brings a lot of excitement to the program."
Sarah Korellis * Individual Medley/Backstroke
Champaign, Ill. (Champaign Centennial H.S./Storm Aquatics)
* Two-time all-America (200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay)
* Four-time state qualifier in four different individual events)
* Two-time Centennial H.S. MVP
* Three-time academic all-America
* Two years in both National Honor Society and French National Honor Society
Coach Huston said: "Sarah completes our Individual Medley rebuilding plan. She will add depth in the IM events and can help us in both backstroke and freestyle. Sarah's late addition to the team is a bonus. She will add a lot of excitement and energy to the team. She really wants to swim in college and be a part of Rice University."