Three Memorial swimmers sign to swim in college

Three Edmond Memorial swimmers signed National Letters of Intent to compete in swimming in college during the early signing period that began Wednesday, Memorial Site Coach Valerie Wingerson announced today. Indicating they will continue their education and athletic careers at the collegiate level were: Katie Callahan, with the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.; Kellie Fischer, with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla.; and Sydney Parker, with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. “It is incredible that three Memorial swimmers have the opportunity to swim in college,” Wingerson said. “I know that they will continue to improve and thrive at their chosen universities.” Currently a team captain for Memorial, Callahan focuses on distance freestyle events. She holds the 200-yard freestyle record for the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference and was the 2017 COAC Female Swimmer of the Year. Callahan was also the 500-yard freestyle 6A Girls State Champion in 2015 and runner-up in 2016. In the 200-yard freestyle, she was state runner-up in both 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Callahan raced on Memorial’s 2015 team that set a new record in the 400-yard freestyle relay. She is also included on the Memorial Girls All-Time Top 10 Swims list in four individual and three relay events. A member of the King Marlin Swim Club, Callahan also holds three state records. She has the top times of any Oklahoma female in the Girls 13-14 500-yard freestyle, 1,000-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle. Callahan, who plans to major in civil engineering, is a 2015 and 2016 6A Girls Academic State Champion and is included on the 6A Coaches All-State Girls Honor Roll. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and a lead Bulldog Mentor at Memorial. Callahan has also served as a member of various swim club and Oklahoma swimming committees, a neighborhood swim league coach, a member of Edmond First Baptist Church’s youth group, and a volunteer for several community programs and swim outreach efforts. “When I talk to Katie about swimming, I can hear her passion for the sport. Not only does she enjoy participating in practices and meets, but she also loves cheering on her teammates and friends,” Wingerson said. “I can always count on Katie to have a phenomenal swim and be a team player.” Fischer, who swims sprint backstroke and freestyle events, is a two-time, double-event State Champion. She won both the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke events at the 2016 and 2017 Oklahoma 6A Girls State Swimming Championships. She was also on Memorial’s relay teams that set new records in the 200-yard medley relay (2016) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (2015). Currently a team captain for Memorial, Fischer is also included on the Memorial Girls All-Time Top 10 Swims list in six individual and three relay events. A national-level athlete, Fischer swims with the American Energy Swim Club and has competed in USA Swimming’s 2016 and 2017 Speedo Junior National Championships. She also holds three individual Oklahoma state records, clocking the fastest time ever for an Oklahoma female swimmer in the 17-18 Girls 100-meter backstroke, 15-16 Girls 100-meter backstroke and 13-14 Girls 100-yard backstroke. Fischer, who plans to major in exercise science leading to physical therapy, has also been recognized for her academic achievements outside the pool. In 2015 and 2016, she was named a 6A Girls Academic State Champion and included on the 6A Coaches All-State Girls Honor Roll. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and has served as a neighborhood swim league coach and a volunteer for various swim clinics. “Kellie is a rock solid swimmer. I can enter her in any event, and she will swim fast and score high,” Wingerson said. “Kellie is also a leader in and out of the pool, for she consistently pushes her teammates.” Parker’s events include sprint butterfly and backstroke. A record-holder for Memorial, she swam the butterfly leg for the 200-yard medley relay team that broke the long-standing record in 2016. She is also listed on the Memorial Girls All-Time Top 10 Swims list in four relays and two individual events. A consistent point-maker for Memorial, Parker placed fourth in 2015 and fifth in 2016 in the 100-yard butterfly at the Oklahoma 6A Girls State Swimming Championships. In the 100-yard backstroke, she placed fifth in 2015 and 9th in 2016. Parker also swims for the King Marlin Swim Club, as well as teaches swim lessons and coaches in KMSC’s neighborhood swim league. She has also volunteered with various swim outreach programs and with Henderson Hills Baptist Church’s youth group. Her academic achievements include being recognized in 2015 and 2016 as a 6A Girls Academic State Champion and being included on the 6A Coaches All-State Girls Honor Roll. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Memorial chapter of DECA, an international association of high school and college students and teachers in business-related fields. Parker plans to major in business. “Sydney is a fantastic backstroker and butterflier. She is very aware of her technique, and she makes adjustments to drop time,” Wingerson said. “She has also stepped up to provide great leadership for the team. “These three phenomenal student athletes will certainly leave a legacy after they graduate,” Wingerson said. “But first, I look forward to an amazing 2017-18 season.”

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THREE MEMORIAL SWIMMERS SIGN TO SWIM IN COLLEGE

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The Edmond Sun | 11/15/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Edmond Memorial High School Athletics