Nov. 18, 2004

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Head swimming and diving coach Dave Clark announced today the signing of Kristina Hansen to a National Letter of Intent to compete at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee today. Hansen will come to UWM from Waukesha Catholic Memorial High School where she is currently in her senior year.

A Pewaukee, Wis., native, Hansen has been named All-American Honorable Mention in the 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay in each of her last two seasons. And, in winning the state championship with the 200 medley relay this season, her team posted the second-fastest time in Wisconsin Division 2 history.

" Kristina has been a solid athlete in excellent programs for years," Clark said. "She was a multi-event state champion as an age-group swimmer with Lake Country as well as a state champion and All-American swimmer in high school. Kristina will step right in to make our relays stronger and make an instant impact in our league in both backstroke and freestyle events."

Hansen has excelled in the 100 backstroke, taking second place at the Wisconsin state meet for her last three years of high school, while adding a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle as a junior and a third-place finish as a senior. For her efforts, she has garnered numerous all-state honors, including three times in the 100 back.

In addition to multiple state club records, Hansen also holds the Catholic Memorial school marks in the 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

This is the first signing for the class of 2009 by the Panthers, who return to action this weekend at the Doug Coers Invitational (Nov. 19-20), in Muncie, Ind.