12-08-03 TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo women's swimming and diving team has signed six recruits for the 2004-05 season, Head Coach Brian Sharar announced today.

The signees are Darby Gardner (Las Vegas, NV - Centennial), Jill Riegard (Mt. Pleasant, MI - Mount Pleasant), Megan McKinley (Canton, OH - Cuyahoga Falls), Samantha Telljohnn (Solon, OH -Solon), Chelsea Perkins (Centerville, OH - Centerville) and Brittany Dominique (Wauseon, OH - Wauseon).

"I am pleased that we were able to secure such a quality early signing class for next fall," Sharar said. "Assistant Coach Steve Riegler and I decided early last year that we wanted to make early signing more of a priority for this program, and it is obvious from the results that the hard work and persistence has paid dividends."

"We addressed some forthcoming weaknesses due to anticipated graduations and became a much deeper team with the addition of these new student-athletes," Sharar continued. "We hope that this will springboard our program to more success in the future."

Three of the incoming student-athletes (Gardner, Riegard and McKinley) are divers.

Gardner placed second overall at last year's high school state championships. She will be graduating early from high school and plans to enroll at Toledo this spring in the College of Health and Human Services, majoring in exercise science.

"Darby is a tremendous talent and will compete among the elite in the MAC," Sharar said.

Riegard placed third as a junior and fourth as a senior at the Michigan High School State Championships. She plans to enroll in University College.

"Jill is really blossoming as an athlete," Sharar said. "We are quite pleased that she chose Toledo, as her potential as a collegiate diver is tremendous."

McKinley will be one of the favorites for the Ohio State High School Championships this spring. She placed third at last year's Division I state finals. McKinley, a NISCA first-team All-American and Wendy's Heisman Award Nominee, will be enrolling in the College of Pharmacy and ultimately plans to pursue a doctorate degree in pharmacy.

"Meghan has the ability to compete for a MAC individual title as a freshman," Sharar said. "She will definitely be a force the MAC for the next four years."

Perkins has been a fixture at the past Ohio State Championships in the 200 and 500 freestyles. She has recorded lifetime long course bests of 2:10.30 (200 free) 4:30.15 (400 free) and 17:43.97.22 (1500 free). Perkins will also swim back, fly and IM events for the Rockets. She plans to enroll in the college of Health and Human Services, majoring in physical therapy.

"Chelsea is just beginning to realize her potential," Sharar said. "She recent elipsed her lifetime bests during training and should see some significant drops when she rests and shaves. We are looking forward to her being a great MAC swimmer."

Telljohnn has been an Ohio State Championships qualifier the past three seasons in the 200 and 500 freestyle. She has recorded lifetime bests of :53.97 (100 free) 1:55.33 (200 free) and 5:07.33 (500 free).

"Sam will be a wonderful addition to our strong distance program," Sharar said. "She will more than likely concentrate on the shorter distances rather that the mile. She definitely brings a wealth of potential and work ethic to our program."

Dominique has been an Ohio State Championships qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestlye the past two seasons. She plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in biology.

"Brittany has recorded some fantastic times in the 50 and 100 free as a relay swimmer," Sharar said. "She obviously has the ability and we hope that she not only realizes her dreams during her senior year, but is able to build on her successes here as a Rocket."

2004-05 Toledo Women's Swimming and Diving Recruiting Class
Name Event Yr. Hometown (High School)
Darby Gardner Diving Fr. Las Vegas, NV (Centennial)
Jill Riegard Diving Fr. Mt. Pleasant, MI (Mount Pleasant)
Megan McKinley Diving Fr. Canton, OH (Cuyahoga Falls)
Samantha Telljohnn Middle Distance Fr. Solon, OH (Solon)
Chelsea Perkins IM/Distance Free Fr. Centerville, OH (Centerville)
Brittany Dominique Sprint Fr. Wauseon, OH (Wauseon)