Dixie State head women’s swimming coach Benjamin Rae announced the signing of four prep swimmers who will compete for the Trailblazers next season. DSU received National Letters of Intent from Hannah Bodkin from Salem, Oregon; Mycah Ellis from Hillsboro, Oregon; Emily Jacobson from Lake Stevens, Washington; and Megan Ruppenthal from Goodyear, Arizona.
“Every one of these athletes will be immediate contributors within their best events and will fill some areas where we have been thin in our first season,” Rae said. “I fully expect them to help us take the next step in our progression toward competing at the conference level and beyond.”
Bodkin (5-foot-9; West Salem HS) specializes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and individual medley events. She was a 2016 OSI/Speedo 11-over 200-meter breaststroke state champion and was an All-Mid-Valley swimming team and Greater Valley Conference all-academic team selection.
“Hannah will lead our team in the breaststroke events and lend strength to our medley relays,” said Rae. “She has seen great improvements in her times over the past couple of seasons and we look to continue that trend as she transitions to the collegiate level.”
Ellis (5-6; Hillsboro HS) will add depth to DSU’s individual medley and breaststroke events. She is a two-time all-state honoree in swimming and was part of conference championship winning teams in swimming and water polo. Ellis currently holds the HHS school record in the 200 IM and has earned numerous academic awards.
“Mycah will add strength in the 200 and 400 IM events, an area where we have struggled this season, and will add depth to our breaststroke events,” Rae said. “She comes from a strong training program so we expect her to be well prepared to be an immediate contributor.”
Jacobson (5-7; Lake Stevens HS) specializes in the butterfly and freestyle strokes. She is a four-time state qualifier and was voted team MVP and most inspirational athlete.
“Emily is a strong butterflyer and freestyler who has shown herself to be a leader in her high school program,” Rae said. “I expect that she will immediately compete to be our top butterflyer and will have the opportunity to add strength to our relays.”
Ruppenthal (5-7; Desert Edge HS) is a four-year letter winner in swimming and specializes in the 200 and 500 free and 200 backstroke. She currently owns the DEHS school record in the 200 free and was part of the school’s record-setting 200 and 400 free relay teams, and she has advanced to the Arizona State Swim Championships in each of her four years. She is also a three-sport athlete, having lettered in volleyball and softball.
“Megan is a middle distance freestyler who is a good leader and a great teammate,” Rae said. “She is relatively new in the sport in that she has not competed year-round from a young age and has a lot of long-term potential.”
Steve Johnson is the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations and Collegiate Licensing at Dixie State University. For more DSU Athletics news, please visit www.dixieathletics.com and follow Dixie State on Twitter at @DixieAthletics.