BY Daily Vidette

The ISU swimming and diving team has been having a successful time this off-season by acquiring eight new recruits to begin in 2008-09.

The team lost ten seniors at the end of this season, but is joined by great company with the new additions.

The eight new recruits will join Sarah Coghlin and Michelle Stoeppelman, who were added to the team in November.

ISU swimming and diving recruits include women from all over the world: Lauren Boyd (Deerfield, IL), Polly Hirt (Mundelein, Ill.), Kristin Lynch (Naperville, Ill.), Jillian Olson (Delafield, Wis.), Sarah Piechocinski (St. Louis, Mo.), Amber Siggins (Orlando, Fla.), Brittany Tazzioli (Libertyville, Ill.) and Lauren Terzis (New South Wales, Australia).

"Each one will provide us with competitiveness in events and quality depth throughout the season," said Head Coach Steve Paska in a press release. "They will come to understand what role they will fulfill on this team as we communicate with the incoming class. Every one of them will play an integral role in the success of our program."

"They all have a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the best student-athletes they can, which was one of the main reasons each one of them was recruited to continue their careers here at Illinois State."

ISU will have two new divers of the eight recruits, which will be led by Head diving Coach Phil Hoffmann next season.

"Both of them bring a great diving background at both the high school and club levels. They will be instant contributors to the team from the 2008-09 season onward," Hoffmann said in a press release.

The signees for next year all come with a strong background in swimming and diving from their respective schools or club teams.

Boyd, from Deerfield High School, competed in the sprint freestyle, where she was a pool-record holder in the 200-meter freestyle relay.

A diver from Mundelein High School, Hirt brings experience as an All-Conference and All-Academic her junior and senior year.

Lynch, from Naperville North High School, where she was a state qualifier all four years, will compete in breaststroke and individual medley next season for the Redbirds.

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