Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Swimming Adds Two Athletes During Early Signing Period
11/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 16, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University women's swimming and diving head coach Jeff Goelz added two top-notch athletes to the swimmimg program when Briley Bergen and Elizabeth McGowan signed with SIU during the early signing period this week.
"I'm losing seven seniors who I'll miss dearly. They mean a lot to the program. These two early signees really are a step in the right direction to maintain and improve our program," Goelz stated.
Bergen, although just a senior at Bolles Prep School in Jacksonville, Florida, was a member of the 2001 United States National Open Water Team and has been a member since 1997. She represented the U.S. in the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships and the 1999 and 2001 World Aquatic Championships in Austrailia and Japan respectively.
Bergen is the U.S. national record holder in the 10, 15 and 25-kilometer open water races. She will compete in the 200, 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle for SIU. Florida, South Carolina and Southern Methodist were the other schools battling the Salukis for Bergen.
"Briley is one of the best open water swimmers in the world. She puts us in the national spotlight with her commitment to SIU. To get someone of her caliber is a pretty big signing for our program," added Goelz.
McGowan is a senior at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. She finished second at the Texas State Meet in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle as a junior and served as team captain and was named team MVP.
She will swim the 100 and 200 backstroke and the 200 and 500 freestyle for SIU and major in communications. She chose the Salukis over Texas Christian, East Carolina and Drury (Mo.) College.
"Elizabeth has all the tools needed to be great. She comes from a very strong club program and we believe she will get much better with weight training and the college swimming environment," Goelz said.
