Cyclones Ink Five Swimmers, One Diver

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State swimming and diving team signed six high school seniors during this year's fall signing period. The six signees are swimmers Anna Ellis, Emily Haan, Jazlyn Horras, Lucia Rizzo and Jennifer Roessler, and diver Nikki Benedict.

"We are very pleased with the class overall," Sorenson said. "It's a very talented group of young ladies. I think they are going to be a great fit for our program."

Anna Ellis is an honor roll student from Sartell, Minnesota, currently on track to finish in the top five percent of her class at Sartell High School. She is a 21-time Minnesota Class A All-State swimmer and an NCSA junior national participant. Ellis also swam for the Edina Swim Club.

"Anna is going to be a very strong backstroker for us," head coach Duane Sorenson said. "She has a bright future in not only sprints, but also the 200 back."

Emily Haan is the second of three swimmers from Minnesota. From Excelsior, Minnesota, Haan will join the expanding list of Cyclones to have swam for the Aquajets club team. Her resume is bolstered by numerous All-Conference, All-State and All-American recognitions, highlighted by two years on the first team All-State squad. She won the 2017 Minnesota Class AA championship in the 100 freestyle.

"Emily is one of the top sprinters in Minnesota," Sorenson commented. "She is an All-Stater and been on a number of state championship relay teams, and she is going to be a great fit into our program."

Jazlyn Horras comes to Iowa State from Ames High School, just like current Cyclone Grace Snyder. She placed in the top-three swimming in the 100 backstroke at the Iowa state meets in her freshman, sophomore and junior campaigns. She was also a member of three state championship teams for Ames High School from 2015-2017. In the classroom, Horras has been active in the National Honor Society, all while being a member of the 4.0 honor roll in all four years of her high school career. She also swims for the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club.

"I have known Jazlyn for many years," noted Sorenson. "I've watched her grow up, and she has tremendous potential, not only in the sprints, but also the 200 back."

Lucia Rizzo is from Woodbury, Minnesota, the third of three future Cyclones from the state. In her time at Woodbury High School and with the Riptide Swim Team, Rizzo has been nominated for the Minnesota Swimming Athlete of the Year award in addition to short course and long course State Championship High Point wins. College Swimming ranks her sixth-best swimmer in Minnesota.

"She is a very versatile swimmer," Sorenson said. "The longer the race, the better Lucia does. We're looking for big things out of her in the 200 fly, distance free and 400 IM events."

Jennifer Roessler rounds out a strong class of swimmers for the Cyclones. From Carrollton, Texas, Roessler competes for Creekview High School and Metroplex Aquatics. Her accolades include three consecutive third place finishes in the 100 breast at the Texas 5A State Championships. She was also named to three straight All-State teams in both the 100 breast and 50 free.

"Jennifer is a tremendous breaststroker," Sorenson commented. "She is going to continue the tradition of strong Iowa State breaststrokers and open some eyes in the Big 12."

The Cyclone's lone diver for the 2017 fall class is Nikki Benedict. From Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, Benedict dove for Monona Grove High School and the Schroeder dive team. She was an All-State diver and gymnast during her high school career, including a Wisconsin State Championship on the one-meter board.

"We are excited Nikki is going to be a Cyclone," diving coach Jeff Warrick said. "She recently won a Wisconsin State Diving championship, and Nikki will fit right in with our team and our system. I look forward to working with her next fall."

Iowa State Swimming and Diving 2018 Signees

Anna Ellis - Sartell, Minn.

Emily Haan - Excelsior, Minn.

Jazlyn Horras - Ames, Iowa

Lucia Rizzo - Woodbury, Minn.

Jennifer Roessler - Carrollton, Texas

Nikki Benedict - Cottage Grove, Wisc.