Leading the group are two athletes from the state of Georgia. Five-time state champion Jeff Dash (The Westminster School, Atlanta, Ga.) and 1999 Cobb County Swimmer of the Year Julie Manitt (Walton HS, Marrieta, Ga.). Dash, an individual medley and butterfly swimmer will walk on to the Wildcat squad in August, after turning away offers from swimming powers such as USC and Michigan. Manitt, who recently qualified for the 2000 Olympic trials in the 200 breast, will also swim backstroke for the Cats. Manitt chose UA over Georgia and Auburn. Both athletes are members of the SwimAtlanta club team.

Also joining the Cats men's squad in 1 will be David Anderson (South Millard HS, Millard, Neb.) and Tom Martensen (Fenwick HS, Chicago, Ill.).

The final swimmer joining the squad will be Annie Joseph (Sheldon HS, Springfield, Ore.). Joseph is the sister of current UA junior All-American Rachel Joseph and will swim backstroke for the Wildcats next year.

The diving squad will get a boost from one state champion and one junior national qualifier. Scott Koenig (St. Francis de Sales HS, Perrysburg, Ohio) is a member of a two-time Ohio state swimming and diving squad and will graduate with a 3.81 grade point average. Jennifer Hess (Overland HS, Aurora, Colo.) is a three-time all-league selection, owns six school records and currently holds 3.91 high school grade point average.