Swimming Signs Nine New Owls
4/23/2019 3:20:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Meet The Class of '23
HOUSTON – Nine elite swimmers from across the country and around the world have signed with Rice and will join the Owls in the fall of 2019, head swim coach Seth Huston announced on Tuesday (April 23).
The Owls' new signees are Adalyn Armistead of Allen, Texas, Shannon Campbell of Saint Johns, Florida, Chloe Corbitt of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Madison Howe of Perth, Australia, Kate Jablonski of Portland, Oregon, Sini Koivu of Espoo, Finland, Virginie Qian of Cupertino, Calif., Sophie Reilly of Bethesda, Maryland, and Zoe Spitz of Newport Beach, Calif.
All have elite competitive credentials and have met the University's challenging academic entrance requirements. The signees' first semester at Rice begins in August of 2019 and the group would compete at the Conference USA Swim Championships for the first time in 2020.
Under Coach Huston's direction the Owl swimmers have won three Conference USA team championships and qualified individually for both the U.S. Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships. He had high praise for the Owls' latest class, his 17th at Rice since taking the helm of the program.
"We are very excited to have this accomplished group of young women join our team and become students at Rice University," said coach Huston. "This is an unusually big class for us, but they were all such great fits with our university, team and staff that everything worked out to get this group into school. Our team is ready to bring this class into the fold and benefit from their personalities, gifts and values."
A closer look at the incoming class is as follows:
Adalyn Armistead * Backstroke/Butterfly/IM
Allen, Texas (Allen H.S. / Metroplex Aquatics);
* Texas Region II-6A 100-yard backstroke champion;
* Texas 6A State Finalist in 200-Medley and 400-Freestyle relays;
* Allen H.S. Female Swimmer of the Year;
* Four-time member of the National Honor Society;
Best times:
100 Back – 56.32
200 Back – 2:00.15
100 Fly – 57.25
400 IM – 4:25.56
Coached by Brent Mitchell (Club & H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Adalyn knew Rice University was for her early in her search. When you know, you know. I think Addie is really going to thrive once she gets on campus. She is positive, passionate and willing to work."
Adalyn Armistead said: "Rice offers the perfect balance of academics and athletics. I found the coaches, professors and students to be engaging and supportive. After evaluating many wonderful schools, I could only see myself being a part of the swim team and student body at Rice University."
Shannon Campbell * Distance Freestyle
Saint Johns, Fla. (Creekside H.S. / Loggerhead Aquatics);
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America & National Honor Society;
* USA Swimming Winter Junior National qualifier, 2019 J.N. qualifier, & Open Water National qualifier;
* Team Captain of two-time Florida 3A State Championships;
* Multiple school record holder;
Best times:
500 Free – 4:53.87
1000 Free – 9:53.02
1650 Free – 16:44.99
Coached by Mark Corley (Club)
Coached by Tracy DaCosta (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Shannon will be filling big shoes in our distance freestyle events. She will fit right in with our distance group. Shannon isn't just an accomplished athlete, she is an incredible student. She is exactly what Rice looks for in our student body."
Shannon Campbell said: "Rice University offers the ideal combination of top academics and athletics. From my first visit to Rice, I loved the beautiful campus and the supportive student body and faculty. Coach Seth, Coach Jessica, and the Owl swimmers made me feel as if I was already a member of their swim family. I cannot wait to train and compete alongside such dedicated and talented athletes. Go Owls!"
Chloe Corbitt * Butterfly/Freestyle
Hilton Head, S.C. (Heritage Academy / Hilton Head Aquatics);
* Three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-America; 2019 Heritage Academy Class Valedictorian
* 2016 U.S. Open Finalist;
* multiple South Carolina state champion;
* NCSA Junior Nationals Medalist (200-Fly);
Best times:
100 Fly – 54.77
200 Fly – 1:59.05
200 Free – 1:51.09
Coached by Mike Lane (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Chloe was our first commit last summer. Her dedication, leadership and athleticism will contribute to our culture. I really look forward to having Chloe make our program better."
Chloe Corbitt said: "The combination of a welcoming and successful team and coaching staff, outstanding academic opportunities, and collaborative atmosphere makes Rice University the perfect fit for me. I am so excited to further my academic and athletic pursuits as a Rice Owl!"
Madeline Howe * Sprints
Perth, Australia (Perth College / Perth City Swim Club);
* 2018 National Open Finalist (100 Fly);
* Three-time National Age qualifier;
* Multiple Champion/Medalist at State Age/Open Championships;
* Year 12 Academic Merit Award; Academic Excellence Scholarship (Perth College);
Best times:
100 Fly – 59.98 (SCM)
50 Free – 26.98 (SCM)
100 Free – 57.46 (SCM)
Coached by Eoin Carroll (Club & H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Maddy is an incredible young lady. She has natural leadership qualities and has really begun to make great athletic progress in the last year. I have a feeling the Rice and Maddy will really benefit from being associated with each other."
Madeline Howe said: "Rice was my final decision because of its incredible academic reputation and the specific courses I am interested in. The facilities and swim program also heavily influenced my decision, especially coach Seth who I am looking forward to training under."
Kate Jablonski * Butterfly/Free
Portland, Oregon (Saint Mary's Academy / Tualatin Hills S.C.);
* Most Valued Member of the St. Mary's Academy swim team and highest scorer all four years;
* Helped lead team to district championship as a senior;
* Won 200-free district championship and placed second in the 100-fly;
* Four-time Scholar Athlete;
* Member of the National Honor Society;
Best times:
100 Fly – 57.22
100 Free – 53.05
200 Free – 1:54.82
Coached by Crystal Lus (H.S.)
Coached by Franz Resseguie and Jonathan Hiett (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Kate is bright, personable and is ready for to grow and thrive at Rice. She has really begun to commit to swimming and I feel like the momentum she is creating as a senior in high school will continue in college."
Sini Koivu * Freestyle/IM/Breaststroke
Espoo, Finland (Cetus H.S. / Finnish Swimming Federation);
* Represented native Finland at European Championships;
* Twice swam for Finland at European Junior Championships;
* Multiple medalist at Finnish National Championships;
* Upper Secondary School graduate;
Best times:
100 Breast – 1:08.72 (SCM)
50 Free – 26.53 (LCM)
100 Free – 56.77 (SCM)
Coached by Dmitri Panfilenko (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Sini has had some great athletic success and has also learned how to grow and excel through injuries and adversity. This kind of experience makes us better. We think Sini will really thrive in our team culture."
Sini Koivu said: "I chose Rice University because of its amazing swimming team and excellent academic reputation. The amount of good things I heard about the University and its atmosphere made me decide that Rice is the right place for me. I can't wait to become an Owl!"
Virginie Qian * IM/Breaststroke
Cupertino, Calif. (Monta Vista H.S. / Santa Clara Swim Club);
* Two-time Finalist, USA Swimming Futures Championships (200 & 400 IM);
* Two-time Finalist, CIF Section Championships (100 Breast & 200 IM);
* Speedo Winter Junior Championships - West;
Best times:
200 IM – 2:03.06
400 IM – 4:25.37
1650 Free – 17:01.89
Coached by Allison Beebe (Club)
Coached by Troy Nissen (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Virginie is a very versatile swimmer. She is capable of swimming multiple strokes and distances and has so much ability to improve and grow in college. We think that Virginie will be able to make some great contributions to our teams success."
Virginie Qian said: "The combination of an incredibly welcoming staff and swim team, unparalleled educational structure, and cordial atmosphere made me believe that Rice University is the perfect fit for me! I am so excited to be able to further my academic and athletic pursuits at this school."
Sophie Reilly * Butterfly/IM
Bethesda, Md. (Walt Whitman H.S. / Nation's Capital Swim Club);
* Washington Post Winter All-Met Honorable Mention;
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America;
* Eight-time state finalist; 2019 state champion in 100-Fly
* PVS Scholar Athlete 2015-2019;
* Superintendent's Student Service Learning Award;
Best times:
100 Fly – 55.89
200 Fly – 2:03.01
200 IM – 2:06.72
400 IM – 4:24.02
Coached by Tim Kelly (Club)
Coached by Chris Schlegel (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Sophie is a prototypical Rice Swimmer. She is a bright and inquisitive student, and a versatile swimmer capable of swimming multiple strokes and distances. Rice swim team members such as Sophie have had a lot of success in our program."
Sophie Reilly said: "From the moment I stepped on campus and met this wonderful team, I knew that it would be a great home for the next four years of my life! Rice offers the perfect blend of athletic excellence and academic rigor to push me to succeed in the classroom and the pool."
Zoe Spitz * Butterfly/Freestyle
Newport Beach, Calif. (Newport Harbor H.S. / Irvine Novaquatics);
* Winter Junior Nationals qualifier;
* Newport Harbor H.S. record holder in 100-Fly, 200-Free Relay, 400-Free Relay and 200-Medley Relay;
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America;
* School Valedictorian; Student of the Year nominee in Math & English;
Best times:
100 Fly – 55.21
200 Fly – 2:01.68
100 Free – 51.51
Coached by Adam Crossen (Club)
Coached by Ross Sinclair/Diggy Riley (Club H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Zoe decided early in the process that Rice University is where she belongs. We think Zoe is ready to excel in so many ways once she arrives on campus. We look forward to furthering Zoe's development as an athlete and as a great teammate."
Zoe Spitz said: "I knew Rice was the school for me the moment I stepped on campus. Rice is the perfect combination of academics and athletics, and I know I will be challenged both in and out of the pool. I'm so excited to train with Coach Seth and Coach Jessica and to be a part of the swim team."
The Owls' new signees are Adalyn Armistead of Allen, Texas, Shannon Campbell of Saint Johns, Florida, Chloe Corbitt of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Madison Howe of Perth, Australia, Kate Jablonski of Portland, Oregon, Sini Koivu of Espoo, Finland, Virginie Qian of Cupertino, Calif., Sophie Reilly of Bethesda, Maryland, and Zoe Spitz of Newport Beach, Calif.
All have elite competitive credentials and have met the University's challenging academic entrance requirements. The signees' first semester at Rice begins in August of 2019 and the group would compete at the Conference USA Swim Championships for the first time in 2020.
Under Coach Huston's direction the Owl swimmers have won three Conference USA team championships and qualified individually for both the U.S. Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships. He had high praise for the Owls' latest class, his 17th at Rice since taking the helm of the program.
"We are very excited to have this accomplished group of young women join our team and become students at Rice University," said coach Huston. "This is an unusually big class for us, but they were all such great fits with our university, team and staff that everything worked out to get this group into school. Our team is ready to bring this class into the fold and benefit from their personalities, gifts and values."
A closer look at the incoming class is as follows:
Adalyn Armistead * Backstroke/Butterfly/IM
Allen, Texas (Allen H.S. / Metroplex Aquatics);
* Texas Region II-6A 100-yard backstroke champion;
* Texas 6A State Finalist in 200-Medley and 400-Freestyle relays;
* Allen H.S. Female Swimmer of the Year;
* Four-time member of the National Honor Society;
Best times:
100 Back – 56.32
200 Back – 2:00.15
100 Fly – 57.25
400 IM – 4:25.56
Coached by Brent Mitchell (Club & H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Adalyn knew Rice University was for her early in her search. When you know, you know. I think Addie is really going to thrive once she gets on campus. She is positive, passionate and willing to work."
Adalyn Armistead said: "Rice offers the perfect balance of academics and athletics. I found the coaches, professors and students to be engaging and supportive. After evaluating many wonderful schools, I could only see myself being a part of the swim team and student body at Rice University."
Shannon Campbell * Distance Freestyle
Saint Johns, Fla. (Creekside H.S. / Loggerhead Aquatics);
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America & National Honor Society;
* USA Swimming Winter Junior National qualifier, 2019 J.N. qualifier, & Open Water National qualifier;
* Team Captain of two-time Florida 3A State Championships;
* Multiple school record holder;
Best times:
500 Free – 4:53.87
1000 Free – 9:53.02
1650 Free – 16:44.99
Coached by Mark Corley (Club)
Coached by Tracy DaCosta (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Shannon will be filling big shoes in our distance freestyle events. She will fit right in with our distance group. Shannon isn't just an accomplished athlete, she is an incredible student. She is exactly what Rice looks for in our student body."
Shannon Campbell said: "Rice University offers the ideal combination of top academics and athletics. From my first visit to Rice, I loved the beautiful campus and the supportive student body and faculty. Coach Seth, Coach Jessica, and the Owl swimmers made me feel as if I was already a member of their swim family. I cannot wait to train and compete alongside such dedicated and talented athletes. Go Owls!"
Chloe Corbitt * Butterfly/Freestyle
Hilton Head, S.C. (Heritage Academy / Hilton Head Aquatics);
* Three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-America; 2019 Heritage Academy Class Valedictorian
* 2016 U.S. Open Finalist;
* multiple South Carolina state champion;
* NCSA Junior Nationals Medalist (200-Fly);
Best times:
100 Fly – 54.77
200 Fly – 1:59.05
200 Free – 1:51.09
Coached by Mike Lane (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Chloe was our first commit last summer. Her dedication, leadership and athleticism will contribute to our culture. I really look forward to having Chloe make our program better."
Chloe Corbitt said: "The combination of a welcoming and successful team and coaching staff, outstanding academic opportunities, and collaborative atmosphere makes Rice University the perfect fit for me. I am so excited to further my academic and athletic pursuits as a Rice Owl!"
Madeline Howe * Sprints
Perth, Australia (Perth College / Perth City Swim Club);
* 2018 National Open Finalist (100 Fly);
* Three-time National Age qualifier;
* Multiple Champion/Medalist at State Age/Open Championships;
* Year 12 Academic Merit Award; Academic Excellence Scholarship (Perth College);
Best times:
100 Fly – 59.98 (SCM)
50 Free – 26.98 (SCM)
100 Free – 57.46 (SCM)
Coached by Eoin Carroll (Club & H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Maddy is an incredible young lady. She has natural leadership qualities and has really begun to make great athletic progress in the last year. I have a feeling the Rice and Maddy will really benefit from being associated with each other."
Madeline Howe said: "Rice was my final decision because of its incredible academic reputation and the specific courses I am interested in. The facilities and swim program also heavily influenced my decision, especially coach Seth who I am looking forward to training under."
Kate Jablonski * Butterfly/Free
Portland, Oregon (Saint Mary's Academy / Tualatin Hills S.C.);
* Most Valued Member of the St. Mary's Academy swim team and highest scorer all four years;
* Helped lead team to district championship as a senior;
* Won 200-free district championship and placed second in the 100-fly;
* Four-time Scholar Athlete;
* Member of the National Honor Society;
Best times:
100 Fly – 57.22
100 Free – 53.05
200 Free – 1:54.82
Coached by Crystal Lus (H.S.)
Coached by Franz Resseguie and Jonathan Hiett (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Kate is bright, personable and is ready for to grow and thrive at Rice. She has really begun to commit to swimming and I feel like the momentum she is creating as a senior in high school will continue in college."
Sini Koivu * Freestyle/IM/Breaststroke
Espoo, Finland (Cetus H.S. / Finnish Swimming Federation);
* Represented native Finland at European Championships;
* Twice swam for Finland at European Junior Championships;
* Multiple medalist at Finnish National Championships;
* Upper Secondary School graduate;
Best times:
100 Breast – 1:08.72 (SCM)
50 Free – 26.53 (LCM)
100 Free – 56.77 (SCM)
Coached by Dmitri Panfilenko (Club)
Coach Huston said: "Sini has had some great athletic success and has also learned how to grow and excel through injuries and adversity. This kind of experience makes us better. We think Sini will really thrive in our team culture."
Sini Koivu said: "I chose Rice University because of its amazing swimming team and excellent academic reputation. The amount of good things I heard about the University and its atmosphere made me decide that Rice is the right place for me. I can't wait to become an Owl!"
Virginie Qian * IM/Breaststroke
Cupertino, Calif. (Monta Vista H.S. / Santa Clara Swim Club);
* Two-time Finalist, USA Swimming Futures Championships (200 & 400 IM);
* Two-time Finalist, CIF Section Championships (100 Breast & 200 IM);
* Speedo Winter Junior Championships - West;
Best times:
200 IM – 2:03.06
400 IM – 4:25.37
1650 Free – 17:01.89
Coached by Allison Beebe (Club)
Coached by Troy Nissen (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Virginie is a very versatile swimmer. She is capable of swimming multiple strokes and distances and has so much ability to improve and grow in college. We think that Virginie will be able to make some great contributions to our teams success."
Virginie Qian said: "The combination of an incredibly welcoming staff and swim team, unparalleled educational structure, and cordial atmosphere made me believe that Rice University is the perfect fit for me! I am so excited to be able to further my academic and athletic pursuits at this school."
Sophie Reilly * Butterfly/IM
Bethesda, Md. (Walt Whitman H.S. / Nation's Capital Swim Club);
* Washington Post Winter All-Met Honorable Mention;
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America;
* Eight-time state finalist; 2019 state champion in 100-Fly
* PVS Scholar Athlete 2015-2019;
* Superintendent's Student Service Learning Award;
Best times:
100 Fly – 55.89
200 Fly – 2:03.01
200 IM – 2:06.72
400 IM – 4:24.02
Coached by Tim Kelly (Club)
Coached by Chris Schlegel (H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Sophie is a prototypical Rice Swimmer. She is a bright and inquisitive student, and a versatile swimmer capable of swimming multiple strokes and distances. Rice swim team members such as Sophie have had a lot of success in our program."
Sophie Reilly said: "From the moment I stepped on campus and met this wonderful team, I knew that it would be a great home for the next four years of my life! Rice offers the perfect blend of athletic excellence and academic rigor to push me to succeed in the classroom and the pool."
Zoe Spitz * Butterfly/Freestyle
Newport Beach, Calif. (Newport Harbor H.S. / Irvine Novaquatics);
* Winter Junior Nationals qualifier;
* Newport Harbor H.S. record holder in 100-Fly, 200-Free Relay, 400-Free Relay and 200-Medley Relay;
* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America;
* School Valedictorian; Student of the Year nominee in Math & English;
Best times:
100 Fly – 55.21
200 Fly – 2:01.68
100 Free – 51.51
Coached by Adam Crossen (Club)
Coached by Ross Sinclair/Diggy Riley (Club H.S.)
Coach Huston said: "Zoe decided early in the process that Rice University is where she belongs. We think Zoe is ready to excel in so many ways once she arrives on campus. We look forward to furthering Zoe's development as an athlete and as a great teammate."
Zoe Spitz said: "I knew Rice was the school for me the moment I stepped on campus. Rice is the perfect combination of academics and athletics, and I know I will be challenged both in and out of the pool. I'm so excited to train with Coach Seth and Coach Jessica and to be a part of the swim team."
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