Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Welcomes Four Newcomers for 2005
6/28/2004 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
June 28, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's water polo team will welcome four new faces on the sidelines for the 2005 season when four freshmen join the team. Head coach John Zeigler has put together a recruiting class that represents three different states, including players from New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington.
Katherine Eckert (Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon), Meagan Gins (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley), Margot Grant Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine) and Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) are the members of the class of 2008.
Eckert comes to Bucknell highly decorated in her academic and athletic career at Blue Bell High School. The driver, who is also a member of the Great Philadelphia Water Polo Club, is a four-year varsity letterwinner in water polo, swimming and track and field. An all-state water polo player both her freshman and senior seasons, Eckert was also a member of the National Honor Society and received the award for Distinguished Academic Excellence at her high school's senior awards night.
"Katherine comes to Bucknell with significant club level experience and solid fundamentals," commented coach Zeigler. "She is a smart player who will look to establish her exact role on the team early in her freshman year."
Gins brings a multitude of experience to the Bison squad, despite not having a varsity water polo team at her high school. The driver was active on the Albuquerque Water Polo Club team, and established herself as a premier player on that squad. A graduate of Valley High School, Gins was a member of the National Youth Water Polo Team in 2002 and 2003.
"Meagan is fundamentally strong and a very experienced player," said Zeigler. "She has been well coached and brings quickness and intensity to our team. I expect she will adapt quickly to our style of play and be competitive for a top spot on the roster."
Grant is making the longest trek from home of the incoming class, joining the Bison all the way from Tacoma, Washington. A member of the Stadium High School club team because her high school, Bellarmine, does not have water polo, Grant is also active on the Commencement Bay Water Polo Club Team. Grant was named her team's most valuable player after her sophomore season, and followed that up with a third-team all-state selection as a junior. She was recently named second-team all-league for the second-straight year, leading her team to a second place district showing in her final season.
"Margot brings a passion for the game and tenacity in her style of play," stated Zeigler. "She will serve as a driver for the team and will use her quickness to try to earn her place in the Bison rotation."
Swoyer joins the class of 2008 as the tallest member of the team at 6'0". A three-year letterwinner in water polo, and four-year varsity athlete in swimming at McDowell High School, Swoyer capped her senior year with a selection to the Pennsylvania Water Polo All-State Second-Team, marking her second-straight appearance on the team. Expected to be a utility player for the Orange and Blue, she was also named to the Beast of the East All-Tournament team for the third year in a row at the conclusion of her senior season. A member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars, Swoyer was also named Who's Who Among American High School Athletes and High School Students.
"Jennifer has the potential to quickly develop into a top Division I player," said Zeigler. "She is tall with a good shot, decent speed and good leg skills. She has primarily served as a center-defender, however, we will explore developing her further at the center-forward position. With some experience, she should make a strong impact on the team."
The 2004 Bucknell women's water polo team posted a 16-18 overall record which included a third place showing at the Southern Division Championship and a seventh place at Eastern's.
