SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word synchronized swimming team has signed 10 incoming freshmen to its 2019–20 season, announced head coach Elizabeth Gerdin. This large addition to the UIW squad revitalizes the team after graduating six seniors in the 2018–19 season.
 
The 10 swimmers hail from a total of five different countries, and several competed in international competition this summer.
 
 
CARDINALS KEEPING IT FRESH
 
 
Claire Ermer | Buffalo, N.Y. 

• Attended Tonawanda High School, looking to pursue a degree in Education or Athletic Training
• Named with the Quality Student of the Tonawandas award and the Advanced Regents Diploma; Honor Roll recipient and National Honors Society member
• MVP in varsity swimming for past five years, Swim Outlet Athlete of the Month (June 2017), placed in the top 10 at the 2019 Junior Olympics (Solo, Team, and Duet event)

 
Greta Hampson | Wigan, Manchester, England

• Attended Standish High School, followed by Wigan & Hereford Sixth Form College
• Pursuing a major in Kinesiology, and hopes to own a gym with her sister who is a physical therapist
• Played piano for her high school's orchestra, and performed at the International Music Festival in Belgium
• Member of the Great Britain Senior Squad 2015–19, silver medalist in FINA World Series in Paris, France (Team event), finalist in the LEN European Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia (Team event)
• Older brother Richard Hampson swam for SMU in Dallas, taking first at NIC his senior year

 
Nia Kostadinova | Varna, Bulgaria

• Kostadinova looks to study Sports Management at UIW, with a minor in Fitness Management
• National champion in solo, duet, and team competition; competed at the Comen cup in 2015, and the European Junior Championships (2017–18)
• Mother Maya Kostadinova is a synchronized swimming judge in Bulgaria

 
Adora Kruger | Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Comes to UIW after graduating from the Edge School for Athletes in 2018, and Mount Royal University
• Pursuing a degree in Nursing, and is hopeful to become a nurse with the Canadian Military
• Named to the Principle's List for her academic achievements (2015–18)
• Member of the Canadian National Team (2015–17), where she was a part of Canada's Top 24, National Champions in the Canadian Open (2015–17, 2019), and Calgary Aquabelle's Top Senior Performance and Top Senior in the 2018–19 season
• Mother Myrna Kruger swam synchronized swimming professionally for two years in Australia and Japan, while father, Harry, played university and professional football in Canada

 
Lindsay Papper | Aurora, Co.

• Attended Cherokee Trail High School. Papper transfers to UIW after swimming for Lindenwood University her freshman year (2018–19)
• Pursuing a degree in Marketing with a minor in interior design
• Member of the National Honors Society, DECA state qualifier, and honor roll recipient all four years of high school
• Named Freshman Newcomer of the Year during her year at Lindenwood (2018–19); Lindenwood University placed third at the 2019 US Collegiate National Championships

 
Sofia Puchniak | Manchester by the Sea, Mass.

• Attended Manchester Essex Regional High School, where she earned multiple academic honors, including the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy in French, Scholastic Art Awards (2018–19), and the Katherine Lane Weems Spirit Award for Drawing and Painting (2018)
• Will be pursuing a degree in Interior Design
• East Zone All Star team member (2019), 2nd place at Senior Nationals (Combo and Team event; 2019), top finishes at the 2019 Synchro America Open (1st: Junior Tech Team; 2nd: Junior Free Duet; and 3rd: Senior Combo)

 
Hannah Ray | Mesa, Ariz.

• Attended Red Mountain High School, where she was a student mentor and involved in the National Honors Society
• Placed fourth in Free Solo and Free Duet at the 2019 Senior Nationals, where she also took third in Technical Solo and Duet competition
• Ray's sister currently plays water polo at California Lutheran, while her mother was a collegiate student-athlete as well

 
Gwenivere Ronnau | Noblesville, Ind.

• Attended Guerin Catholic High School, and comes to UIW seeking a degree in rehabilitative sciences, pre-physical therapy
• Received the St. Theodore Guerin Athletic Award (2019) and named team captain for her synchronized swimming team for the 2018–19 season

 
Nour Shamala | Cairo, Egypt

• Attended the Dar El Tarbiya American School and the Westborough high school
• Set to pursue a degree in graphic design at UIW
• Has been competing at the national level in Egypt since 2011, placing first in Solo at the Egyptian National Competition every year from 2012–18; competed at the FINA World Championship in Budapest (Technical and Free Team events, 2017), the FINA World Juniors in Kazan, Russia (Duet event, 2016), and the Comen Cup (Solo and Team events, 2014–15)

 
Leah Sterling | Mono, Ontario, Canada

• Attended St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School
• Pursuing a major in Biology, and hopes to be a pediatrician
• Received Honor roll recognition throughout high school; Ontario Scholar; TCDSB Student Achievement Award; French Certificate; IB History of the Americas Award; International Baccalaureate Diploma
• National champion at the Canadian Synchronized Swimming Championships (Team event; May 2018); member of the Regional Training Centre Junior National Team since 2016

 
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