Cyclones Ink Three Swimmers

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State head swimming and diving coach Duane Sorenson announced the addition of three student-athletes for the 2008-09 season. Malinda Caudle (Omaha, Neb.), Hannah Smith (Johnston, Iowa) and Taylor Vieau (Chaska, Minn.) will join the Cyclones this fall.

“We are pleased to announce the signing of three exceptional women swimmers this spring,” said Sorenson.

Caudle qualified for state three times while swimming at Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb. Caudle swam to top-six finishes at state in the 100 fly, 200 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay.

“Malinda is truly a diamond in the rough,” said Sorenson. “She will add depth to our 50, 100 and 200 free events. I was very impressed with her improvement in all of her events over the past year and see her swimming very fast in the future. She had an outstanding senior season by being a finalist in all four of her races at the Nebraska State High School Championships this past February.”

Smith comes to Iowa State after prepping at Johnston High School. Smith was a four-year letterwinner and state qualifier for the Dragons. She finished second in the 100 backstroke during her senior campaign.

“Hannah will add depth to our backstroke events and will also help us in the sprint free races. She is a terrific competitor who was just touched out for first place by less than two-tenths of a second in the 100 backstroke at last fall's Iowa Girls' High School State Swim Meet.”

Rounding out the signees is Vieau, a four-year state qualifier at Chaska High School in Chanhassen, Minn. Vieau qualified for the Minnesota State Meet in the 100 fly, 500 free and 200 medley relay. She was a club swimming state champion in 400 IM, 500 free and 1000 free in 2008.

“Taylor will step in right away and help the team in all of the distant freestyle races, the 400 I.M. and the 200 butterfly,” said Sorenson. “This past winter, she had a breakthrough season by winning the Women's Senior events in the 400 IM and the 500 and 1000 free races at the Minnesota Club Senior State Championships.”

The Cyclones signed five student-athletes in the fall, bringing the total newcomers for next year to eight. Joining the spring signees will be Danielle Levings (Whitefish Bay, Wis.), Hannah McCulley (Portland, Ore.), Meredith Doran (The Woodlands, Texas), Sarah Nelson (Decorah, Iowa) and Jenn Botsch (Tarpon Springs, Fla.).

Malinda Caudle

Omaha, Neb. (Millard North HS)
Sprint/Mid Distance Free

Four-year letterwinner at Millard North ... three-year state qualifier ... finished fourth in the 200 free, fifth in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay and sixth in the 100 fly as a senior ... member of third-place 200 free relay and fourth place 400 free relay teams as a junior ... 2007-08 team MVP ... three-year academic letterwinner ... academic All-America nominee ... 2007 Lincoln Journal Star academic team ... two-time NSAA state academic team.

Hannah Smith

Johnston, Iowa (Johnston HS)
Backstroke

Four-year letterwinner at Johnston ... four-time state qualifier in four events ... regional backstroke champion 2005-07 ... placed second at state in 100 back her senior year ... member of third-place 200 free relay and fourth-place 400 free relay teams in 2007 ... earned All-American consideration all four years ... first-team all-state in backstroke and 400 free relay ... school-record holder in 100 backstroke ... team captain.

Taylor Vieau

Chanhassen, Minn. (Chaska HS)
Fly/Distance Free

Four-year state qualifier in 100 fly, 500 free and 200 medley relay ... three-year all-conference award winner ... club swimming state champion in 400 IM, 500 free and 1000 free in 2008 ... competed at junior nationals in 2007 (200 fly) and 2008 (200 fly, 400 IM) ... Dean's List member ... high school coach, Colleen Killpatrick, swam for Iowa State.

Iowa State University Athletics

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