Nov. 25, 2002

MILWAUKEE - Jerica Crook, a freestyle sprinter from Spring Green, Wis., has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and compete for the Panther swimming and diving team, head coach Dave Clark announced today.

Crook has qualified for the state championships in eight events in the past three seasons, finishing as high as sixth in the 200 freestyle relay as a sophomore at River Valley High School in Spring Green, Wis. She also finished seventh in the 50 freestyle as a junior, and 14th in the same event as a senior. She has also placed at state in the 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, along with the 200 medley relay team.

A solid all-around athlete, Crook was also part of a second-place softball team at River Valley, as well as lettering twice in gymnastics.

"Jerica is a very raw, talented swimmer," head coach Dave Clark said. "Her high school doesn't have a pool, so her team travels 45 minutes each way to a neighboring community to use their facility. She has great dedication, desire and drive."

Crook is the fifth student-athlete to sign with UWM during the early signing period, joining Susan Harmsen of Berlin, Emily Duesler of Middleton, Heather Sawatzki of Valders, and Kathryn Green of Eau Claire.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming and diving team currently stands at 3-5 on the season with three more dual meets remaining in the spring semester. The Panthers will next compete on Dec. 6-7 at the Wheaton Invitational in Wheaton, Ill., with the divers competing at the Notre Dame Invitational the same weekend in Notre Dame, Ind. The Panthers, winners of the 2001 Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now Horizon League) title, also excel in the classroom, having been named Academic All-America as a team for 27 consecutive semesters by the Collegiate Swim Coaches Association of America.