CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois Swimming and Diving team has announced the signing of three athletes who will compete in the 2017-18 season. The five swimmers and divers who signed National Letters of Intent are Emma Burns, Emma Curtis, Erin Emme, Jimena Martinez-Lopez and Shahar Menahem.
Emma Burns // Milford, Pa. // Delaware Valley High School
A Junior Olympics veteran, Burns has only been diving for two years.
"Emma is definitely one of the hardest working people I've ever met and has an amazing passion for the sport of diving and life," diving coach Chris Waters said. "She has fought through a couple injuries, remained positive and proven herself to be incredibly resilient. Her personality is infectious and it showed from the moment she stepped on campus for her official visit. I'm so happy Emma will be wearing the Orange and Blue next year. She will be a terrific addition for us and the team and I cannot wait to have her join us."
Emma Curtis // Grand Blanc, Mich. // Grand Blanc High School
A two-time MHSAA State Champion in the 50 freestyle, Curtis swims with the Flint Falcons swim club. She is a YMCA National Qualifier finalist and a USA Swimming Junior National qualifier. Her top time in the 50 free is 23.07, and her top time in the 100 free is 51.47.
"We are excited to have Emma join the Fighting Illini family," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "She has great experience competing at the national level and in pressure situations. Emma will be a tremendous addition to our sprint group and possible relay positions. Not only is Emma a terrific athlete, she is an outstanding person with a great personality and drive to succeed. We are looking forward to working with her over her college career."
Erin Emme // La Habra, Calif. // Troy High School
Emme has competed at AAU Nationals in both the 1 meter and 3 meter events. A former gymnast, she was a USA Diving Junior Regional and Zone qualifier this past summer, and has only been diving for two years.
"I'm thrilled to be having Erin join our diving program," Waters said. "She is a very driven young lady who knows how to push herself to excel whether it be on the boards or in her studies. It is that drive and positivity that helped her make such successful transition from gymnastics to diving just two short years ago. Now I'm looking forward to helping her make the transition to college diving where I believe she'll (again) find a great deal of success. I really believe Erin has only just begun to tap into her potential."
Jimena Martinez-Lopez // Mexico City, Mexico // Crean Lutheran High School
A member of the Aquazot Swim Club, Martinez-Lopez is a CIF-SS Division II State Champion, and her Crean Lutheran team won the 2016 CIF Swimming and Diving Championship. She is also a USA Swimming Junior National qualifier. Martinez-Lopez's best times include the 100 breast (1:04.07), 200 breast (2:15.36) and 200 IM (2:04.84).
"Jimena is a great addition to the team as an athlete, student and person," Novitsky said. "She has a strong work ethic in and out of the pool and will come in and help us out right away in the breaststroke and individual medley events. Jimena has continued to improve over the past couple of years and we expect that to continue. She is active in her school activities and gives back to the community. We are thrilled to have her wear the Orange & Blue."
Shahar Menahem // Rishon Lezion, Israel
A medalist at the Maccabiah Games, Menahem also competed in the 2015 Short Course European Championships. Her best times include the 50 back (28.92 SCM, 29.68 LCM), 100 back (1:01.75 SCM, 104.08 LCM) 200 back (2:13.30 SCM, 2:17.05 LCM), 100 free (57.22 SCM, 58.44 LCM), 200 free (2:03.25 SCM, 2:06.24 LCM), 200 IM (2:22.39 LCM) and 400 IM (4:54.25 SCM).
"Shahar is a fantastic addition to our team," Novitsky said. "She is very versatile and will help out the team immediately in a number of different events. She has some experience competing at the international level and really loves to compete. Shahar is a hard worker with a lot of discipline that will excel in the college environment. In addition, she is a strong student with a delightful personality. We are excited to add her to the Illinois family."
