SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Converse University head swim coach
Logan Simpson signed 11 athletes for the upcoming swim season.
"I am immensely proud of the group of swimmers we have joining us this fall," Simpson said. "It's a versatile and talented group of athletes who are poised to make a massive, immediate impact from day one. I want to extend a big thank you to Coach Marcella, who took on an expanded role in recruiting last fall and absolutely knocked it out of the park with this class. Her hard work is a major reason why we have this group of talented athletes and outstanding people joining us this fall. I can't wait to get started!"
Maya Guevara (Long Beach, Calif.) – Competed for Long Beach Polytechnic High School and the Long Beach Poly Girls Aquatics Swim Team. In 2023 she helped the 200 free relay team to a time of 1:38.73 and in 2024 she helped the 400 free relay team to a time of 3:33.35. Guevara also made it to the CIF Southern Section, and won both the coaches award and most valuable swimmer award in high school. Outside of athletics, Guevara was an honor roll student and received the Seal of Biliteracy (AP Japanese).
Hannah Hauante (Moultrie, Ga.) – Was a team captain for Coquitt County High School and was a GHSA State Finalist. Hauante was also a two-time All-Region swimmer for Colquitt County. Hauante swam club for Titans Swimming Academy and was a team captain all four years. Outside of athletics, Hauante was a member of Beta Club, HOSA, Partnership for Success, and the National Honor Society. Hauante won the UGA Merit Award, AP Scholar Highest Academic Average in Spanish III Academic Honors. Hauante comes from a family of swimmers, her father Jamie swam for Spain.
Liz Klanderman (Fairfax, Va.) – Was a top-five point scorer all five years at Trinity Christian School. At the 2024 State Championships she placed 14
th in the 200 IM event, 12
th in the 100 breast event, and 3
rd place in the 200 medley relay. Klanderman holds the 100 and 200 breaststroke records. At the 2024 VCAC, she finished first in the medley relay event, 2
nd in the 100 breaststroke event and2nd in the 200 IM. Klanderman was an All-State and All-Conference swimmer, while also winning the Rise Award. Competed on the Centerville Swim Club, Makos Swim Club, Riptide Swim Club and the Fairfax Foxes Swim Club. On the club circuit, finished 16
th in the 200 breaststroke at PVS Junior Championships and 18
th in the 400 IM at PVS Junior Championships. Outside of athletics, was a member of Blue Crew, Media Club, National Honors Society, Medical Youth Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NAHS, and Student Leadership Team.
Valerie Perez (Fort Mill, S.C.) – Swam for Rock Hill High School, and holds the school records in the 200 free (2:01.72), 500 free (5:25.32), 200 yard free relay and the 400 yard free relay. In 2022, Perez was All-Region in the 500 Free event and was named the 2021-2022 Most Valuable Swimmer. In 2024, she won the 2024 Bearcat Award, and finished third in the 500 free and 200 free events at the 2024 All-Region meet. Perez competed on the Upper Palmetto Rays Swim Club. Outside of athletics, Perez was a member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Perez won the 2024 Seal of Biliteracy, Winthrop University Dual Enrollment Award for High GPA, Certification for Recognition of High GPA from Rock Hill School of Board Trustees.
Kayla Smith (Easton, Md.) – A multi-sport athlete that competed in Track, Cross Country and Swimming. Smith scored 531.25 points during the 2021-2022 season, 560.8 points during the 2022-2023 season, and 594.05 points during the 2023-2024 season. Smith was named the Impact Player Award by Under Armour and BSN Sports, and was also named Athlete of the Year in 10
th grade. Smith won the Rod Montrie award in 11
th grade. Outside of athletics, Smith was part of BSU, Student-Government and Chorus. As a member of student-government, Smith was head of DEI. Smith comes from an athletic family, her father Taalib played football at Millersville from 1999-2003.
Gavin Gordy (Cary, N.C.) – A four-year letterwinner for Panther Creek High School, Gordy also competed for the TAC Titans Swim Club. This past season, Gordy finished 50
th in the 100 yard breaststroke event at the Speedo Sectionals. At the NCHSAA 4A Central Region Meet, Gordy placed 18
th overall in the 100 yard breast and 20
th in the 200 yard IM event. At the Southwest Wake 4A Conference Championships, Gordy placed ninth in the 100 yard breast event and 11
th in the 200 yard IM event.
Alexander Nichols (Coral Springs, Fla.) – Was captain of the swim team at Majory Stoneman Douglas and went to the High School State Championships all four years. Nichols swam for TS Aquatics swim club. Outside of athletics, Nichols was a member of DECA. Nichols comes from an athletic family, his grandfather, Alphonso Correia was an Olympic Wrestler for Guyana in the 1948 Olympic Games.
Christopher Olcott (Taylors, S.C.) – A four-year letterwinner for the Eastside High School swim team, Olcott was a 10-time State Champion and a 12-time Regional Champion. Olcott posted five top-three finishes at the State Championships and holds a pair of school relay records. Olcott swam for Team Greenville Swim Club and was a national qualifier in the 100 breast event. Olcott, also, helped the relay team finish top-three at the State Championships. Outside of swimming, Olcott is a black belt bronze worlds medalist in martial arts.
Jay Owens (Central, S.C.) – Competed both for DW Daniel High School and the Foothills Area YMCA Swim Team. At the South Carolina State Championships last season, Owens helped Daniel win the 400 Free Relay and the 200 Medley Relay. Individually, Owens finished second in the 100 back event and fourth in the 100 fly events.
Mason Reed (Woodstock, Ga.) – Captain of the Etowah High School Swim Team, Reed was the highest point scorer for the men's swim team all four years. Reed was also named MVP of the swim team from 2023-2025. Reed is a four-time state finalist and five-time state qualifier. A first team all-county selection from 2022-2025, Reed was also a Scholar Athlete in high school. Reed competed for the Stingray's Swimming Club and achieved Senior State and Future's Time Standards multiple years in multiple events. Outside of athletics, Reed was a member of Beta Club and Lamp of Knowledge. Reed comes from an athletic background, his father Bo ran Cross Country for Virginia Tech from 1990-1992.
Coleman Smith (Spartanburg, S.C.) – A product of nearby Dorman High School where he helped the Cavaliers to an eighth place finish at the SCHSL 5A Championships. Helped the 200 medley relay team to a State Championship and finished 16
th individually in the 100 fly event.
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