Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Signs Quartet to National Letters of Intent
11/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Nov. 20, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head coach Jimmy Tierney announced today (Nov. 20) the signing of four future Wildcats to National Letters of Intent. Meaghan Fenn (New Rochelle, N.Y./The Ursuline School), Meredith King (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual), Felicitas Lenz (Altadena, Calif./Polytechnic School) and Taylor Reynolds (St. Louis, Mo./Webster Groves) currently comprise the 2009-2010 freshman class.
"The Wildcats Swimming and Diving family is thrilled to add four very talented and bright young women to our program," Tierney said. "We focused on a much smaller group than in the past two years with an emphasis on quality athletes and quality people. Although we are not completely done adding new talent for 2009-10, we believe our team will be even better with these four student-athletes."
Fenn is a Junior National qualifier who won New York state titles in the 200 IM, 100 breast and 200 medley relay in 2008, leading her high school to its third-consecutive undefeated championship season. She has 10 years of experience with the Badger Swim Club.
"Meaghan comes from one of the great coaches in U.S. Swimming history and a very storied program in the Badger Swim Club," Tierney said. "She is a very versatile swimmer who can compete to score at Big Tens in the backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley events. She has a very strong background in training and will be well prepared for high level competition."
King also is a state champion, having won the 500 free individually in Kentucky in addition to being a member of the state-record-holding 200 and 400 free relays. Her club team, the Lakeside Seahawks, were the 2008 NCSA Junior National women's runner-ups. King is both a U.S. Open and Junior National qualifier.
"Meredith is our first athlete from swimming power Lakeside Swim Club and coach Mike DeBoor in many years," Tierney said. "She is a very talented middle distance swimmer (free, fly and individual medley) and will greatly impact our Big Ten and NCAA squad right away. No doubt, Meredith's best years are ahead of her and we're thrilled she has chosen NU over several other great swimming schools."
Lenz is one of the nation's top divers in this year's class, bringing incredible credentials with her to Northwestern. In addition to earning third-place on the 10-meter platform at the 2008 Summer Senior Nationals and second place on the 3-meter board at this summer's Junior Nationals, she is a CIF champion (2007) and two-time runner-up (2006, 2008) with her high school squad.
"When Felicitas told us she was coming to Northwestern, we were all bright eyes and smiles," head diving coach Alik Sarkisian said. "She was impressed with our academics and diving program, and we have our sights set on the 2012 Olympics for her. Felicitas should be the first of many top level divers who select Northwestern as their school of choice."
Reynolds has spent her entire career in the pool in the club ranks, swimming with the Clayton Shaw Park Tideriders since 2000. A Junior National qualifier, Reynolds also is a basketball star for Webster Groves high school, where she is a three-time all-conference selection on the hardwood.
"I view Taylor as a very talented athlete who is going to improve tremendously in the years to come, particularly in the freestyle sprint events," Tierney said. "She is a multi-sport athlete who is competing with her high school basketball team now, as well as staying in swimming shape. Taylor was completely sold on NU from the start, never even visiting another school. She is a perfect fit for our athletic and academic community."
Complete bios for the quartet follow:
Meaghan Fenn
5-6 • Individual Medley
New Rochelle, N.Y./The Ursuline School
High School: New York state champion in the 200 IM, 100 breast and 200 medley relay in 2008 ... As a senior, led her team to a third-straight undefeated championship season ... Five-year member of the Section One State team ... Five-year all-section and all-league honoree ... Earned team MVP and coach's award four times in career ... Swam club for 10 years with the Badger Swim Club ... Junior Nationals qualifier in the 200 back and 400 IM .. Ranked as a three star recruit by Swimmingworldmagazine.com ... Short Course National qualifier ... Traveled to Switzerland with her club for international competition ... Honor roll during all quarters of high school ... National Honor Society member ... USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in 2007-08 ... NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete.
Personal: Born Meaghan Helene Fenn on 3/3/91 ... Daughter of John and Margaret Fenn ... Has a younger sister, Kerry ... Chose Northwestern over Princeton and Ohio State ... Anticipated major is undecided.
Meredith King
5-7 • Freestyle
Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual
High School: Kentucky state champion in the 500 free ... Member of the 200 and 400 free state-record holding relays, setting both marks in 2008 ... All-American and first-team all-state in 2007 and 2008 ... Ranked as a four star recruit by Swimmingworldmagazine.com ... USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in 2007 and 2008 ... duPont Manual won three-consecutive team state championships from 2006-08 ... Swam six years of club with the Lakeside Seahawks ... Seahawks were the 2008 NCSA Junior National women's runner-up ... U.S. Open qualifier ... Junior National qualifier in the 200 free, 400 free, 200 fly, 200 IM and 400 IM ... Honor roll, National Honor Society and Beta Club member ... National Merit Commended Scholar.
Personal: Born Meredith Carolynn King on 12/16/90 ... Daughter of June and David King ... Chose Northwestern over Clemson, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia ... Anticipated major is undecided.
Felicitas Lenz
5-3 • Diving
Altadena, Calif./Polytechnic School
High School: Finished third on the 10-meter platform at Senior Summer Nationals in 2008 ... Took second place on the 3-meter board at the 2008 Summer Junior Nationals ... Four-time all-American (2005-08) ... CIF champion in 2007, CIF runner-up in 2006 and 2008 ... Member of the 2008 Junior World Championships team ... Dove four years with the Trojan Dive Club ... Featured in the Disney "Follow Your Dreams" series for diving ... National German examination winner in 2007 ... National Young Leaders Conference in 2008.
Personal: Born Felicitas Anthea Lenz on 2/22/91 ... Daughter of Dr. Maria Petrig-Lenz and Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz ... Born in Tübingen, Germany ... Chose Northwestern over Stanford, UCLA, Duke, Columbia and USC.
Taylor Reynolds
5-10 • Freestyle
St. Louis, Mo./Webster Groves
High School: Has spent her swimming career competing with the Clayton Shaw Park Tideriders club since 2000 ... Junior National Qualifier every year since 2005 ... Ranked as a two star recruit by Swimmingworldmagazine.com ... Does not swim for her high school team, playing basketball instead ... All-Suburban South honorable mention as a freshman, second-team as a sophomore and first-team as a junior for her basketball prowess ... Team won the Suburban South conference championship the past three seasons ... Statesmen Award winner ... USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Webster Grove scholar athlete, Renaissance Award winner, Honor roll and National Honor Society member.
Personal: Born Taylor Nichol Reynolds on 1/19/91 ... Daughter of Chuck and Laura Reynolds ... Plans to major in communications.
