Morales Announces Seven Swim and Dive Signees

Nebraska Head Coach Pablo Morales announced the signing of five swimmers and a pair of experienced divers to boost NU’s swimming and diving program in 2023-24 on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

The seven-member class features four international swimmers, representing four countries, along with the No. 5 recruit in Kentucky and divers from Florida and Texas.

“We could not be happier with this new class of Husker swimmers and divers,” Morales said. “It is a class of exceptional individuals who cover many areas on our team—both on the swimming and diving sides. It also shows our expanding recruiting footprint, as it brings in individuals from different areas of the U.S. and overseas. We will expect them to make an immediate impact come next fall. They are all excited to be Huskers, and we are excited to welcome them to the Husker Swim and Dive family.”

Cate Bisiacchi is coming to Nebraska from Trieste, Italy and has found great success in the 200-meter butterfly. Bisiacchi earned a spot in the B-final at the Italian Swimming Championship in 2018 and 2019. She added a second-place finish at the 2019 Italian Category Championship. Bisiacchi is expected to join fellow Italian, Giulia Marchi, on next year’s Husker roster.

“I chose Nebraska because when I came to visit the campus I felt welcomed by the team and the coaches,” Bisiacchi said. “I was also really impressed by the facilities.”

Jenna Brown has helped her duPont Manual High School and Lakeside Swim Team to high level success in recent years. The senior from Louisville, Ky., swam to a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle and a fifth-place finish in the 100 butterfly at the 2022 KHSAA State Championships. A year earlier, Brown cruised to another fourth-place 200 freestyle finish, while adding an eighth-place finish in the 100 butterfly. Brown’s performances helped propel duPont Manual to top-10 finishes in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, at the 2021 Speedo Sectionals, Brown notched a seventh-place finish in the 200 butterfly.

“I chose Nebraska because I feel like it is the best fit for me,” Brown said, “and it will continue to challenge me academically and athletically, while providing a great atmosphere for an amazing college experience.”

Amelia Riggott is set to join the Huskers in 2022-23 out of the United Kingdom. She’s built an impressive resume as a breaststroke swimmer, including being named the 2022 British 50-meter Breaststroke Champion. She added a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2022 British Championships. In the last year, she was also a part of the the ESSA National Final winning medley relay team. Riggott served as a captain of the swimming team at Mount Kelly during the 2022-23 season. Current Nebraska senior, Emily Haimes, came out of the same high school and was teammates with Riggott.

“I chose Nebraska because I loved everything about my official visit,” Riggott said. “I felt like it was a good fit for me both academically and for my swimming. The swim team was so welcoming and I thought I got along well with all the girls. I believe I can work well with Coach Pablo and Pat, and they can help me get my swimming to the next level.”

Beatrix Tanko has been a regular competitor at the Hungarian national meets as an individual and relay member. Tanko provided a pair of recent highlights by swimming to a pair of gold medals with the Hungarian Age Group Relay Team at the 2022 Gymnasiade. She swam a 1:01.13 in the 100 butterfly in long-course meters to win a silver medal at the 2021 Hungarian Age Group Nationals. In the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay event, she was a part of the  bronze medal performance at the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival. Tanko has also made multiple appearances in the Hungarian Nationals B-finals in the 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle.

“I chose Nebraska because of the great coaches, team spirit and all of the resources that the university can provide,” Tanko said.

Anna Vlachou wraps up the swimmers in the 2023 class and is expected to add depth in the freestyle and butterfly events. Coming to Lincoln from Athens, Greece, Vlachou has an impressive list of accolades that includes placing first at the Greek Junior Championship, third at the National Open Championship and 10th at the European Junior Championship in the 100-meter butterfly. Vlachou was a lso a member of the National Junior Team.

“I chose Nebraska because everything I saw during my visit was excellent including the facilities, coaches, team and the city,” Vlachou said.

Abby Baxter and Antonina Harned will team up to bolster the diving corps in the coming seasons.

“We are stoked to have both of these ladies joining the team,” Nebraska Head Diving Coach Landon Marzullo said. “They are going to contribute on all aspects of the team right away.”

Baxter is from Coppell, Texas and found immediate success as a diver, after transitioning from gymnastics during her junior year of high school. She qualified for the 2022 Zone B Championships during her first season as a diver. She notched a pair of top-24 finishes on the boards with her one- and three-meter performances. Baxter also earned a spot in the one- and three-meter finals at AAU Nationals in the summer of 2022.

“I chose Nebraska because I loved the team, coaches and the business schooI,” Baxter said. “I believe Nebraska will be a home away from home where I will be able to grow academically and peak in my sport of divinig.”

Harnad brings a lot of experience to the Huskers, as a qualifier for USA Junior Nationals for seven consecutive years. Adding to her accolades, Harned was the AAU Red, White and Blue Diving National Champion on platform. In her last time out, Harned placed 11th in the one meter and 12th in the platform at the 2022 USA Diving Junior National Championships. At the 2022 USA Diving Zone B Championships, Harned placed eighth in the platform and ninth in the one meter. Harned consistently helped her high school team find success, as they were three-time district champions and two-time regional champions. 

“I chose Nebraska because when I visited Nebraska I enjoyed every second of it,” Harned said. “The atmosphere and campus was amazing. I also bonded really well with the diving team and Coach Landon.”