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Grand Canyon University Athletics
GCU swimming signs eight for 2016-17 season
6/15/2016 10:59:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
PHOENIX – After ending the 2015-16 season on a high note, the Grand Canyon men's and women's swimming and diving teams are thrilled to welcome the addition of eight outstanding swimmers to the 2016 Recruiting Class.
Incoming student-athletes include several international swimmers, two recruits from Colorado and one from New Mexico.
"We have an exciting group of recruits joining us this year," said head coach Steve Schaffer. "Our goal is always to improve both our top-end and our depth and this group does just that. On the women's side, everyone we are bringing in swimmers that would place in the top-8 at the WAC Championships in multiple events already. Our men's team recruits all have times that would score for us at the WAC Championships as well."
Alyssa Christianson, 5'10", is from Montrose, Colo. where she graduated from Montrose High School. Ranked 5th overall in Colorado, Christianson has posted Junior National qualifying times in the 200 and 400 IM as well as the 200 breaststroke. Her 200 breaststroke time is already under the NCAA B time standard in that event.
Sylwia Ciesielska, 5'7", grew up in Poznan, Poland and attended Drury University for two years prior to signing with Grand Canyon. A former Polish Junior National Champion in the 200 IM, Sylvia is a versatile swimmer who will be able to contribute as a scorer in the butterfly and backstroke events as well as the IM.
Rebecca Håkansson, 5'6", was born and raised in Svedala, Sweden where she's competed in the Swedish Nationals since 2009. In 2015, Håkansson has been a finalist in Sweedish Nationals in the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle events as well as the 200 and 400 IM. A very versatile swimmer, she can add depth in the breaststroke and backstroke events.
Elisha Walker, 5'6", is a recent graduate of Silverthorn Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Walker is a distance freestyle specialist and will play a key role for GCU in those events. She also has times that would score points at the WAC Championships in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke.
Eran Ber, 5'7", is Grand Canyon's first swimming and diving recruit from Israel after having served his required military service there. Ber was the Junior National Champion in the 100 and 200 backstroke and has been a finalist in those events at the Senior National level, placing as high as third in the 200 backstroke.
Jackson Buyers, 5'11", comes from Loveland High School in Loveland, Colo. Like his women's team counterpart from Colorado, Buyers is a junior national qualifier in the 200 breaststroke and the 200 and 400 IM events. A talented backstroker as well, Buyers' athleticism across the board will undoubtedly be a key addition to the team.
Viktor Kertesz, 6'3", is the second 2017 recruit from Sweden. A silver and bronze medalist in the Nordic Junior Championships, Kertesz stands out in the sprint freestyle and breaststroke events. Kertesz is an excellent relay swimmer and will likely factor as a top contender in Grand Canyon's freestyle and medley relays.
Noah Lambert, 5'10", comes from Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, NM. He will add scoring depth for GCU in the backstroke and butterfly events. Lambert was also a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
"We are looking forward to watching these athletes make an impact for us this year and continue to improve throughout their careers at GCU," added Schaffer.
Incoming student-athletes include several international swimmers, two recruits from Colorado and one from New Mexico.
"We have an exciting group of recruits joining us this year," said head coach Steve Schaffer. "Our goal is always to improve both our top-end and our depth and this group does just that. On the women's side, everyone we are bringing in swimmers that would place in the top-8 at the WAC Championships in multiple events already. Our men's team recruits all have times that would score for us at the WAC Championships as well."
Alyssa Christianson, 5'10", is from Montrose, Colo. where she graduated from Montrose High School. Ranked 5th overall in Colorado, Christianson has posted Junior National qualifying times in the 200 and 400 IM as well as the 200 breaststroke. Her 200 breaststroke time is already under the NCAA B time standard in that event.
Sylwia Ciesielska, 5'7", grew up in Poznan, Poland and attended Drury University for two years prior to signing with Grand Canyon. A former Polish Junior National Champion in the 200 IM, Sylvia is a versatile swimmer who will be able to contribute as a scorer in the butterfly and backstroke events as well as the IM.
Rebecca Håkansson, 5'6", was born and raised in Svedala, Sweden where she's competed in the Swedish Nationals since 2009. In 2015, Håkansson has been a finalist in Sweedish Nationals in the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle events as well as the 200 and 400 IM. A very versatile swimmer, she can add depth in the breaststroke and backstroke events.
Elisha Walker, 5'6", is a recent graduate of Silverthorn Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Walker is a distance freestyle specialist and will play a key role for GCU in those events. She also has times that would score points at the WAC Championships in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke.
Eran Ber, 5'7", is Grand Canyon's first swimming and diving recruit from Israel after having served his required military service there. Ber was the Junior National Champion in the 100 and 200 backstroke and has been a finalist in those events at the Senior National level, placing as high as third in the 200 backstroke.
Jackson Buyers, 5'11", comes from Loveland High School in Loveland, Colo. Like his women's team counterpart from Colorado, Buyers is a junior national qualifier in the 200 breaststroke and the 200 and 400 IM events. A talented backstroker as well, Buyers' athleticism across the board will undoubtedly be a key addition to the team.
Viktor Kertesz, 6'3", is the second 2017 recruit from Sweden. A silver and bronze medalist in the Nordic Junior Championships, Kertesz stands out in the sprint freestyle and breaststroke events. Kertesz is an excellent relay swimmer and will likely factor as a top contender in Grand Canyon's freestyle and medley relays.
Noah Lambert, 5'10", comes from Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, NM. He will add scoring depth for GCU in the backstroke and butterfly events. Lambert was also a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
"We are looking forward to watching these athletes make an impact for us this year and continue to improve throughout their careers at GCU," added Schaffer.
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