FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona swimming & diving team took their first steps towards building their incoming freshman class of 2016 with the National Letters of Intent from Kate Bier (Damascus, Ore.) and Alice Hick (Scottsdale, Ariz.) signed, sealed and delivered during the fall signing period. The two incoming Lumberjacks will build the foundation to fill the voids of this year's senior class of eight at the end of the season.

Bier is a butterfly swimmer from Sam Barlow High School in Oregon and is currently projected to contribute in the 200 fly immediately with the ability to potentially swim the 100 fly. She is a three-time First Team swimmer who has placed in the top 10 in the butterfly every year at the Oregon Class 6A State Championships. Bier, who also swam with Mount Hood Aquatics club, owns career-best times of 57.18 in the 100 fly, 2:03.08 in the 200 fly and 5:05.10 in the 500 freestyle.

"Kate is a great student and she fits in really well with the culture of our team," said head coach Andy Johns. "She's going to provide some scoring opportunities right away in the 200 fly, and we have to get her a little faster to score in the 100. She also has some potential in the freestyle as well."

Hick is a freestyle swimmer from Xavier College Preparatory, who recently competed in the 100 and 200 freestyles at the Arizona Division I State Championships earlier this month. Hick posted finals times of 54.21 in the 100 and 1:55.76 in the 200, and also swam as part of her high school team's 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Her high school team finished fourth in the state this season and she also swam for Scottsdale Aquatic Club, who placed second at Junior Nationals and Sectionals.

"Alice is another solid student and is primarily a freestyler," Johns said. "Her 200 freestyle is probably where she can help us the most right now, but she can go down to the 100 and she has the willingness and the capability to go up to the 500 as well. Getting another athlete from the Valley will help us with future recruiting. With both Kate and Alice, it's a great start to the class we're trying to build for 2016."