CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos Swim Team is very excited to announce the addition of 14 members for the 2016-2017 season.

Danica Ludlow, Kiersten Gilberg, Erin Fones, Hannah Molloy, Tracy Zhao and Danica MacDonald will be joining the women's team, and the men's team will be welcoming Peter Brothers, Teddy Kalp, Rob Hill, Greg Crocker, Chris Paproski, Liam Johnston and Mohamed El-Deeb.

WOMEN'S

Danica Ludlow
Events: 200 free, 400 free, 800 free
Home Team: Island Swimming, Victoria, BC

After training with the Island Swim Club in Victoria, B.C., Danica Ludlow will be making the trip out to Calgary to join the Dinos swimming roster for the 2016-2017 season. With remarkable swims already this year, placing 6th in the women's 400m and 800m freestyle at the Canadian Olympic Trials, Ludlow is geared up to make an impact in her first year at the University of Calgary. As a prestigious distance swimmer, Danica will bring with her the experience gained while racing at high level competitions such as Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Canada Games, World Trials, and many others. With such impressive experience on both the Canadian and international stage, Ludlow is sure to impress many in her first year as a Dino.

"I chose Calgary because I wanted to be a true student-athlete. The University of Calgary allows me to pursue a world class education, while still training at a high performance level. The coaching staff is unparalleled and I immediately felt like part of the team. I am super excited to start my next chapter and be apart of the Dino family in the fall."
 
Kiersten Gilberg
Events: 50 breast, 100 breast
Home Team: Vancouver Pacific Swim Club, Vancouver, BC

Kiersten Gilberg, a sprint breaststroke specialist, will be joining the Dinos in the fall from Vancouver, BC. Gilberg has had plenty of success and experience on the National stage having won multiple titles at both the Western Canadian Championships and the Canadian Age Group Nationals. Gilberg has also had experience racing at a senior level from competing at the 2015 Canadian World Championship Trials and the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials this past spring. The Dinos are very excited to welcome Kiersten to the team for next year and we can't wait to see all that she will accomplish.

"I chose the University of Calgary because of how the academic and athletic programs worked together to be a really perfect fit for me."


Erin Fones
Events: 50 back, 200 back
Home Team: Manitoba Marlins, Winnipeg, MB

Specializing in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, Erin Fones will be joining the Dinos in the fall from Winnipeg, MB. Fones has made huge strides this past season achieving her first Senior National qualification in the 50m backstroke. The Dinos are very excited to have Erin join us in the fall and watch her develop through her time as a Dino.

"I chose to go to the University of Calgary due to many things, but mostly the large, positive atmosphere of the UC Dinos swim team" said Erin. "It is what I'm most looking forward to!"

Danica McDonald
Events: 100 breast, 200 breast
Home Team: Cascade Swim Club, Calgary, AB
Danica is a Calgary native currently swimming with the Cascade Swim Club. McDonald specializes in the breaststroke events, having earned her Canadian Senior National cut in the 200m breaststroke. McDonald contributed to the current 15-17 Alberta provincial record in the 4x100 LCM medley relay, and earned a silver medal on the 4x50 LCM medley relay at the Western Canadian Open in 2016.

"I am attending the University of Calgary because there are so many opportunities at the University ranging from athletics to academics to just being at an overall great university atmosphere. I am looking forward to being a part of a team that is tight knit and does life together!"
 
Hannah Molloy
Events: 400 free, 800 free, 200 back
Home Team: Manitoba Marlins, Winnipeg, MB
Also from the Manitoba Marlins, Hannah Molloy will be adding to the Dinos roster in the fall. Competing in the mid-distance and distance freestyle as well as the 200m back, Molloy has had lots of experience racing against some of Canada's best including competing at the 2013 Canada Games and multiple Canadian Age Group Championships. Molloy's most recent accomplishment was representing team Manitoba as team Captain and winning several medals at the Western Canada Summer Games. The Dinos are very excited for Hannah to join us in the fall and can't wait to see what she accomplishes.

"I picked the University of Calgary because it felt very homey to me. I really liked the team and the fact I knew people already but met a lot of new, great people. I also enjoyed the level of competition being on the UC Dinos swim team would offer me."

Tracy Zhao
Best events: 100 Back, 50 Back
Club: Cascade Swim Club, Calgary, AB
Tracy is another Calgary native that will be joining the Dinos roster in the fall. Tracy will train alongside backstroke teammates like Leah Smal and Stefanie Schmidt who will create a challenging but positive team environment that will help foster improvement in times and technique. The Dinos are very excited for Tracy to join the women's team in the fall and are eager to see the strides she will take in her swimming career as a CIS athlete.

"I look forward on representing the University of Calgary as it offers new experiences and challenges in a competitive environment."
 



MEN'S

Peter Brothers
Events: 400 free, 1500 free
Home Team: Island Swimming, Victoria, BC

Peter Brothers will be joining the distance crew when he moves to the University of Calgary in the fall. Brothers has years of National team experience having represented Canada at the 2012 and 2014 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, the 2013 World Junior Championships, the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and most recently being selected to represent Canada on his first Senior team in December at the Short Course World Championships in Windsor, ON. At the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials, Brothers placed 2nd in the 400 and 1500 free. Along with his world class swimming, Brothers brings with him leadership skills and team experience which will be a great asset to the Dinos in the fall! 

"I am pleased to be representing the University of Calgary this coming fall. Being able to train with a strong men's varsity team is going to be a new and exciting experience for me. Surrounding myself with people who have high goals in swimming and in academics will help motivate me in and out of the pool. I can't wait to work with all the staff and open myself up to new opportunities at the university."

Rob Hill
Events: 400 IM, 200 IM
Home Team: Chena, Vancouver, BC

Rob Hill will add depth to the men's team when he joins the Dinos in the fall. At the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials, Hill, a strong IM competitor finished in 3rd behind future team mate Tristan Cote, 4th in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 and 200 meter backstroke. Rob is another member that will add International racing experience to the roster from representing Canada at the 2014 Junior Pan Pacific Championships. Hill is a very well rounded swimmer who will be a tough competitor in all disciplines and is looking to be a medal contender in several events at the CIS level. The Dinos are very excited to welcome Rob to the team in the fall and are looking forward to all his success over the next few years.
 
"I chose to go to the University of Calgary because they offer a great program that pursues excellence in the pool and the classroom. There are many great athletes, coaches, and academics, and I am excited to be a part of a team that shares goals of high performance."
 
Liam Johnston
Events: 50 Br, 100 Br
Home Team: Killarney Swim Club, Calgary, AB

Liam Johnston, a Calgary native will be joining the University of Calgary from the Killarney Swim Club. Johnston will add to the Dinos breaststroke legacy and will compete with our other male breaststrokers for a spot on the Canada West and CIS rosters as well as on the 4x100 medley relay. Over the last couple seasons, Johnston has steadily been improving and progressing towards the top level at Canadian Age Group Championships. Last summer, Johnston finished in the top five in all three breaststroke events last summer. The Dinos are excited to watch Liam develop amongst fellow breaststroke team mates and see how he progresses through his time as a Dino.

 "I am excited for the opportunity to swim for the University of Calgary Dinos Swim Team. I believe that the Dinos are the preeminent team in Canada and it is an honour to be selected to the team. Being under the coaching of Mike Blondal and Mads Hansen provides me the best opportunity to advance my swimming career. I am enthusiastic and motivated to pursue my goals as part of the team, and am looking forward to the coming year."
 
Mohammed El-Deeb
Best events: 200 Fly, 100 Fly
Home Team: Heliopolis Sporting Club, Cairo, Egypt

The Dinos have historically had many successful international student-athletes, and we are very excited to welcome another promising international swimmer to our program. El-Deeb, who is transferring from University of Cairo this fall, will add depth to the Dinos fly events. Having competed at World Juniors in Singapore in 2015 and being a multible time national age group champion, El-Deeb will also bring international experience and a winning mentality to the Dino's mens team.



Greg Crocker
Events: 400 IM, 200 Fly
Home Team: UCSC, Calgary, AB

Greg Crocker, born and raised a Dino, will be moving up from our club program to swim with the Dinos this fall. Greg who specializes in the 400 IM has represented team Alberta at the Western Canada Summer Games where he won a bronze medal. Crocker has also won multiple medals at Canadian Age Group Nationals and Western Canadian Championships. Greg will be training amongst a great group of men and the Dinos are excited to see all that he will accomplish through his time as a Dino.
 
"I chose to go to the University of Calgary because it provides an amazing training program and a very competitive training environment."

Chris Paproski
Events: 1500 Free, 400 IM
Home Team: Chena, Vancouver, BC

Chris Paproski will be joining the Dinos from the Chena swim club where he has developed into a distance specialist over the last couple of seasons. Paproski has won several medals at Canadian Age Group Nationals, where he also helped Chena Swim Club to a National Title in the 4x200 freestyle relay. Chris will be joining a great distance freestyle training group, where he will add depth and will be challenged to become even faster. The Dinos are excited to welcome Chris to the team in the fall and look forward to his success as a Dino.
 
"Athletically and academically, the University of Calgary offers everything I was looking for. I'm super excited to be representing their program."

Teddy Kalp
Best events: 400 Free, 200 Free
Home Team: NYAC, Toronto, ON

Teddy Kalp, a mid-distance freestyle specialist will be joining the Dinos from the North York Aquatic Club. Kalp represented Canada at Junior Pan Pacific Championships in 2012 where he was a member of the 4x200 freestyle relay that won a bronze medal. He was also a member of team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2013. Kalp will be joining a very strong distance program when he moves to Calgary in the fall and we are very excited to see him train and compete everyday with some of Canada's top distance swimmers!

"I chose the University of Calgary because I truly felt that it was the right positive environment for me, academically and athletically and could not be more thrilled to swim for the Dinos in the fall."

Russell Wood
Events: 100 back, 50 back
Home Team: UCSC, Calgary, AB

Russell Wood is returning to the Varsity program after focusing on World Championships and reaching top international rankings for the past two years. Wood is already a decorated CIS veteran with three CIS gold medals to his name from 2014. Along with his CIS experience, Russell has plenty of National team experience from representing Canada at three World Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan American Games, Pan Pacific Championships and World Student Games. Russell is also the current Canadian record holder in the 50m back. Wood will add to an already impressive men's team roster and the Dinos will benefit from his CIS experience as well as his experience racing on the World stage.