AUBURN, Ala. – A year after signing 11 newcomers, the Auburn women's swimming and diving program added 13 future student-athletes into the fold this week for the 2020-21 school year. The group includes 10 swimmers and three divers.
On the swimming side, Brynn Curtis, Maggie Gholston, Abby Gibbons, Colby Hurt, Meghan Lee, Payton Marvin, Kensley Merritt, Hannah Ownbey, Elysse Pardus and Emma Steckiel all signed their national letter of intent to attend Auburn University. The group represents seven different states, and they all bring something different to the program in terms of ability.
"We signed a number of young women that cover a wide variety of events," Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. "They'll compete in everything from sprint to middle distance to endurance. I'm really excited about the three divers we have coming in as well. They will be a good add to the Auburn Family.
"This group is talented in the classroom, talented in the pool and on the boards, but they are also really fun out of the water. They're extremely outgoing, they're passionate about Auburn, and they're excited to be a part of this growing process. They will add a lot in a variety of ways within the program."
The trio of divers to sign this week include Megan Ewoldt, Maia Goldstein and Kendall Minter. All three hail from the state of Florida and have experience at Junior Nationals. The favorite event among all of them is platform, but they have upside in all three diving events.
"I think we did an excellent job in recruiting and getting commitments out of three individuals that are going to add great depth to our program but also are going to be in a position to be major contributors both at the conference level as freshmen and then in the future at the NCAA level as well," head diving coach Jeff Shaffer said.
"All three of those young ladies bring tremendous character and really epitomize what the Auburn Family is all about. They're going to be great teammates and push one another every day at practice. It's an exciting time for me and can't wait to get started with those three."
Here's a look at all 13 new signees for the women's program.
SWIMMING
Brynn Curtis - Herndon, Va. - Breast, IM
High School: Oakton
Club Team: York Swim Club
Maggie Gholston - Flower Mound, Texas - Sprint Free, IM
High School: Flower Mound
Club Team: Lakeside Aquatic Club
Abby Gibbons - Winter Springs, Fla. - Fly, Sprint Free
High School: Oviedo
Club Team: Blue Dolfins
Colby Hurt - Williamsburg, Va. - IM, Breast, Distance Free
High School: Lafayette
Club Team: 757 Swim
Meghan Lee - Timonium, Md. - Back, IM
High School: McDonogh
Club Team: Eagle Swim Team
Payton Marvin - Austin, Texas - Middle Distance Free, IM
High School: McNeil
Club Team: Nitro Swimming
Kensley Merritt - Huntersville, N.C. - Sprint and Middle Free, Back
High School: William A. Hough
Club Team: SwimMac Carolina
Hannah Ownbey - Greer, S.C. - IM, Breast
High School: Riverside
Club Team: Y-Spartaquatics Swim Club
Elysse Pardus - Mount Pleasant, S.C. - Fly, Back, Free
High School: Porter Gaud
Club Team: South Carolina Swim Club
Emma Steckiel - Reading, Pa. - Spring Free
High School: Governor Mifflin
Club Team: Lancaster Aquatic Club
DIVING
Megan Ewoldt - Jupiter, Fla.
High School: Jupiter
Club Team: Coral Springs Diving
Maia Goldstein - Davie, Fla.
High School: University
Club Team: Fort Lauderdale Dive Team
Kendall Minter - Tallahassee, Fla.
High School: Maclay School
Club Team: Tomahawk Diving Club