FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Three recruits have signed National Letters-of-Intent to join the NAU swimming and diving team in the fall of 2009, as announced by head coach Andy Johns and diving coach Nikki Huffman. Kristy Ardavanis (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesquite), Jaclyn Branning (Phoenix, Ariz./Paradise Valley) and Fiona Connell (Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia/Hill Sports) will all add depth to the Lumberjack team next year.

Ardavanis is a diver who competes for the Sun Devil Divers, but also recently placed third in the 5A state meet for Gilbert Mesquite High School. She competed at the 2008 USA Diving Zone meet and has also earned strong scores at the Junior Olympic level.

“The Sun Devil Divers has become one of the better club teams in the state,” said Huffman, “and I'm very excited to have Kristy coming here. She's a great kid and has a great GPA, and as far as diving she comes in with good mechanics and good list of dives.”

Branning will come to NAU from Paradise Valley High School down in Phoenix, where she earned second-place finishes in the state in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM last season, and was an automatic All-American qualifier in both events. She is a two-time region champion in the 200 IM, and is a junior national qualifier in the 200 IM, 100 breast and 200 breast.

“We're very excited to have Jaclyn joining us next year,” said Johns. “She is a tremendous student, and has been involved in community service all through high school. She will provide an immediate impact for us in the breaststroke and IM events. Jaclyn comes from great club team in Phoenix, and has a lot of experience at national level meets.”

Connell has racked up the honors as a high school swimmer in Port Macquarie, Australia, and was a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Trials. She was also a semifinalist at the 2007 World Championship Trials. Connell is a backstroke specialist who holds the Australia Schools Championship records in the 17 and over 50 and 100 meter backstroke events.

“Fiona is the first Australian recruit we've had since the days of the men's team in early 90's,” said Johns. “She is a solid student. Athletically, she was an Olympic Trials qualifier for Australia who, with converted times, will have a huge impact on the backstroke events for us at the conference level and possibly even at the NCAA championship level.”