May 10, 2006

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee head women's swimming and diving coach Dave Clark has announced the signing of six high school seniors today.

Shannon Berndt of Fond du Lac, Wis., Jamilla Edwards of Apple Valley, Minn., Rachel Grimm of Grafton, Wis., Alexandria Nelson of Edina, Minn., Kerry Rossow of Beaver Dam, Wis. and Erika Sutliff of Goshen, Ind., will enroll at UWM and compete for the Panthers next season.

Berndt was a four-time Fox Valley Association Swimmer of the Year at Fond du Lac High School and a four-time all-conference selection. She qualified each year at state in both the 100 butterfly and breaststroke and was named a high school All-American twice.

"Shannon is an exciting talent and a great athlete," Clark said. "While she should be able to compete for relay spots immediately in the breaststroke, she is a very solid all-around swimmer that has been well-coached. I am looking forward to having her develop in our program."

Edwards was an all-state and all-conference swimmer at Apple Valley High School, where she was a top-eight finisher in the 50 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke last season in Minnesota.

"Jamilla is a solid sprinter who should be a factor in our relays and in our league," Clark said. "Her high school (Apple Valley) and club team (Black Line Aquatics) are solid programs. She is very tough and competitive - two traits that should make her an excellent college swimmer."

Grimm, a diver at Grafton High School, finished second at the WIAA Girls High School State Meet last season, helping her team to an overall victory for the third year in a row. She also finished second in three-meter diving and third in one-meter at YMCA nationals this spring.

"Rachel is an excellent competitor - as shown by two top-three finishes at YMCA nationals this spring," Clark said. "She trains hard and learns well. She will be a strong addition to the best diving team in the league."

Nelson was a captain and all-conference selection at Edina High School, helping her team to state championships in 2004 and 2003 and runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2002.

"Alex brings the `Edina' winning attitude and work ethic to our program," Clark said. "She has been a contributor to a state championship team and knows hard work as well as teamwork. She should bring the same consistent strengths to UWM."

Rossow was a WIAA Division I State finalist in the 100 breaststroke in each of the past three years and also broke the Beaver Dam school record in the event - a record that had stood for 20 years.

"Kerry is a real find," Clark said. "She is a talented, hard-working swimmer for a small program. This should equate to exciting results in a competitive collegiate program. I am ecstatic she picked our program to help with her growth as a student athlete."

Sutliff is another all-conference swimmer who was a two-time MVP of her Goshen High School team. She broke the school's breaststroke record and was a sectional champion in the 100 breast as well. She was a state qualifier in the 200 freestyle relay and the 100 breast in 2006.

"Erika is a solid student-athlete," Clark said. "Along with her academic honors she did set her high school record in the 100 breast. I am looking forward to helping her develop into an excellent college events swimmer."