The University of Akron Athletics
Swimming and Diving Announces 2016-17 NLI Signee's
December 02 | Women's Swimming & Diving
AKRON, Ohio – The Akron swimming and diving team and head coach Brian Peresie announced the 2016-17 signee class on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The seven student-athletes committed to joining the program are Katie Applin, Jessica Bonezzi, Kari Djonne, Ellie Nebraska, Jackie Pash, Mackenzie Vargas and Morgan Waggoner.
"It is a very exciting time to be a Zip! This class fills many future needs for our program and they will be able to make an impact the moment they step on campus. All of the young ladies in this class have high academic and athletic standards, are strong leaders on their teams and have the "X" factor we look for when evaluating potential team members," said Peresie. "Our team, staff, and coaches could not be more excited about this incoming class. Great people! Great Character! Great energy!"
Katie Applin
Groveland, N.Y./Dansville Senior High School/ Blue Wave Diving (club team)
Notes: Applin, a diver from Groveland, N.Y., has competed at the USA Regionals and placed seventh in the one-meter dive and 12th in the three-meter event. A year ago, she finished second in the state of New York State Championship. Applin competed at the AAU Nationals in 2015 and finished 10th in the three-meter dive and 11th in the one-meter dive, respectively. Applin holds pool records at Dansville High School and is a three-time LCAA All-Star.
Jessica Bonezzi
Wooster, OH/Wooster High School/Firestone Akron Swim Team (club)
Top times: 100 butterfly (55.30), 200 butterfly (2:02.88), 200 IM (2:04.59), 200 freestyle (1:53.01), 500 freestyle (5:07.71)
Notes: Bonezzi, a native of Wooster, Ohio, was a selected as an All-American in the 100 butterfly in 2015. She has qualified for the Ohio High School State meet all three years of competition. In 2015, she finished fourth in the state in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 200 IM. Bonezzi also qualified for the 2015 USA Swimming Winter Junior Nationals.
Kari Djonne
Sandy Hook, CT./Newton High School/Soco Diving
Notes: Djonne, a diver native from Sandy Hook, Ct., is a three-time all-state selection in Connecticut (2013-15). She qualified for AUU Nationals in 2015 and finished 13th in the one-meter dive and seventh in the three-meter dive while being named an All-American. A year ago she placed second in the State Opens meet, second in States (LL) and first in the SWC. Djonne is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and has done over 100 hours of community service with the Best Buddies club.
Ellie Nebraska
Delaware, OH/ Olentangy High School/ Ohio State Swim Club
Top times: 100 freestyle (50.79), 200 freestyle (1:51.55), 500 freestyle (5:08.72), 100 back (57.32), 200 back (2:01.41), 200 IM (2:06.86)
Notes: Nebraska, a native of Delaware, Ohio, qualified for the Ohio High School State meet four times. In 2015, placed 10th in both the 100 and 200 freestyle at the Ohio High School State Championship. She was selected to the USA Swimming Scholastic All-American team this past year. Was voted as the Most Valuable Player for her high school team.
Jackie Pash
Carmel, Indiana/Carmel High School/Carmel Swim Club
Top times: 200 breaststroke (2:20.94), 100 butterfly (57.75), 200 butterfly (2:03.99), 200 IM (2:09.06), 400 IM (4:23.46), 200 freestyle (1:53.75), 500 freestyle (5:06.83)
Notes: Pash, is a three time varsity letter winner from Carmel, Ind. She has qualified for the NCSA Junior National Championship meets twice this year. Pash made the finals in the 400 IM at NCSA finishing 26th overall. She also placed second in the 200 IM at the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference meet.
Mackenzie Vargas
Roseville, California/Woodcreek High School/California Capital Aquatics (club)
Top times (SCM): 100 butterfly (57.17), 200 butterfly (2:00.36), 400 IM (4:25.61), 200 freestyle (1:53.05), 500 freestyle (4:57.87), 1000 freestyle (10:12.08) 1650 freestyle (16:52.61)
Notes: Vargas joins the Zips from Roseville, Cali. Vargas has competed at USA Swimming National Qualifier in the 200 butterfly three times, the USA Swimming Junior Nationals four times, the 2015 USA Swimming Futures meet once and the California High School State meet once. At the USA Futures competition she placed fourth in the 200 butterfly event. She competed in the 200 butterfly at the Junior Nationals and placed 21st overall. Vargas was selected as a USA All-Academic American twice and is the in the top 12 percent of her class.
Fremont, OH/Fremont High School/Sand Otter Swimming (club)
Top times: 50 freestyle (23.93), 100 freestyle (52.38), 100 butterfly (56.72)
Notes: Waggoner is a native of Fremont, Ohio who was an All-American in relay events the past three years. She has qualified for the Ohio High School State meet three times (2013-15) and had a career-best finish of third place in the 400 free relay in 2014. Waggoner is in the top ten of her class.
