June 4, 2002

MILWAUKEE - Jessica Johnson, a freestyle swimmer from River Falls, Wis., has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at UWM and compete in swimming beginning next fall, head coach Dave Clark announced today.

Johnson finished third in the 200 free and in the 500 free at last fall's state championship meet, marking the third time in the past three years she placed in both events at the state meet. In 2000, she finished fifth in the 200 and fourth in the 500, while she finished second in the 200 and fifth in the 500 during her sophomore year of high school.

"Jessica is an immensely talented student-athlete," head coach Dave Clark said. "She will not only be able to help our very strong distance group, but she will be able to battle for a spot on our sprint relays as well. She will quickly become an integral part of our program."

Johnson joins Amy Schwei of New Berlin, Wis., Erin Blemberg of Appleton, Wis., Nicole Rosinski of Janseville, Wis., and Emily Holcomb of Verona, Wis., on the list of signees for the women's team for next year.

The UWM women's swimming and diving team finished third at this year's Horizon League Championships, held Feb. 27-March 3 in Chicago. The women's team also excels in the classroom, having been named Academic All-America as a team by the College Swim Coaches of America Association for the 26th-consecutive semester.