Stanford Announces 1997-98 Women's Swimming Recruiting Class

STANFORD, CA -- Four of the top female high school swimmers in the United States, including world record holder Misty Hyman (Phoenix, AZ/Shadow Mountain HS) have agreed to attend Stanford University beginning in the fall of 1997, head coach Richard Quick announced on Thursday.

Hyman is joined by Anne Aristeo (Livonia, MI/Stevenson HS), Ashley Chandler (Atlanta, GA/The Westminster Schools) and Lauren Thies (Portland, OR/Lincoln HS). In addition to being among the top high school swimmers in the country, all four have already made an impact both nationally and internationally.

"The 1997-98 freshman class is one of the most outstanding in Stanford history," Cardinal women's swimming coach Richard Quick said. "The class is led by three women who missed the 1996 Olympic Team by just one place at the trials. To be that close to making the Olympic Team as a high school junior should give confidence to Misty Hyman, Lauren Thies and Ashley Chandler and motivate them toward the 2000 Olympics. Joining these three is Anne Aristeo, who has been a national finalist in several events."

Hyman comes to The Farm as the world record-holder in the 100 short course meter butterfly and as the 1995 world champion in the 100 short course meter backstroke. In long-course competition, Hyman is the sixth-fastest American woman ever in both the 100 meter butterfly and the 200 meter butterfly. In the final 1996 world rankings, the Phoenix native was fifth in the 100 meter butterfly, seventh in the 200 meter butterfly and 29th in the 100 meter backstroke.

"Misty Hyman is an extremely exciting addition to the Stanford Women's Swimming Team," Quick said. "Her versatility and experience will make her a factor at the NCAA Championships as a freshman. In 1996, Misty barely missed the Olympic Team in the 100 and 200 meter butterfly. I think she could make an impact at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney."

Chandler made her mark at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, finishing fourth in the 50 meter freestyle and seventh in the 100 meter freestyle, just missing the Summer Games in both events. She also won the national title at the 1995 Spring Nationals, and is the seventh-fastest American woman ever in the 50 meter freestyle.

Thies is a three-time U.S. National Champion, who ranked 14th in the world in the 800 meter free and 22nd in the 400 meter free at the end of 1996. Thies also won the 200 meter freestyle at the 1996 Summer Nationals, and the 100 meter freestyle and 200 meter freestyle at the 1995 Spring Nationals.

Aristeo was the silver medalist in the 200 meter butterfly at the 1995 Olympic Festival. The Michigan native also finished eighth in the 200 meter backstroke at the 1997 Spring Nationals.

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