Nov. 28, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay swimming coach Jim Merner has announced the signing of four women's swimmers to National Letters of Intent. The Phoenix will welcome Amber Bartholomew (Alexandria, Minn.), Amy Burback (Waunakee, Wis.), Lauren Caruso (DeForest, Wis.) and Nicole Gill (Arlington Heights, Ill.) for the 2008-09 campaign.

"We are extremely happy that we signed four very talented swimmers," Merner said. "All of them will make immediate impacts in our program. They are all winners who strive to be the very best and have great personalities."

Bartholomew was a four-time team MVP and all-conference swimmer, the first two years at Sturgeon Bay (Wis.) High School and her final two years at Alexandria (Minn.) Jefferson High School. At Jefferson, she set school records in the 100-yard backstroke, the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley. Bartholomew qualified twice for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) State Swim Meet in the 200 IM and once in the 100 back. At Sturgeon Bay, she also established three school records and reached the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA) Division 2 State Meet in the 100 back (twice), the 200 IM and the 100-yard freestyle.

"Amber is a very powerful swimmer," Merner said. "We are very excited to have her return to northeast Wisconsin. She will be a solid, versatile swimmer for us."

Burback was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-America selection in 2006 and 2007. She earned all-state honorable mention distinction in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle relay in 2004-05. She was the state runner up in the 100 breast in 2004-05 and placed third in the event in 2005-06 before focusing on club swimming. She swims as part of the Badger Aquatics program.

"Amy's upside in college swimming is going to be huge," Merner said. "She has competed mainly in a club setting over the past few years, and I think she will really excel in the team atmosphere here at Green Bay."

Caruso helped DeForest High School to WIAA state championships in 2006 and 2007. In addition, the squad claimed four straight conference championships. As a senior, she won league titles in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. She was a four-year letterwinner and was team co-captain her senior year. Caruso earned Most Improved Swimmer accolades her sophomore campaign and was a DeForest Honor Athlete her freshman and senior seasons. She also swam competitively with the DeForest Aquatic Club.

"We are very pleased that Lauren signed with us," Merner said. "She is someone who comes from a winning tradition and will be a strong competitor in the Horizon League."

Gill was a four-year Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Meet participant in the 100-yard butterfly and also qualified in the 50-yard freestyle once. She was voted the team's MVP her senior year after winning a conference championship in the 100 fly. She also was the sectional champion in that event as a sophomore. Gill owns Hersey High School individual records in the 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle. A member of the CATS Aquatic Team, she placed eighth in the 100 fly at the 2007 USA Swimming Illinois Senior State Meet.

"Nicole is a very dedicated, motivated person with so much potential," Mener said. "Her personality will make her a great team member."

The Green Bay women's swimming and diving team has won three straight Horizon League championships, with Merner taking home the league's Coach of the Year honors each of the past three seasons.

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