Dec. 5, 2003

BERKELEY, CA - The University of California women's swimming and diving program has signed six athletes to National Letters of Intent, it was announced by Golden Bear head coach Teri McKeever. Joining Cal next fall will be swimmers Jessica Cotton, Jenna Rinaldi, Emily Silver, Genevieve Patterson and Emily Verdin, plus diver Katy Banks.

Cotton is from Lincoln High School in Stockton and is a 2004 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 800 free. She is a high school swimming All-American and Senior National Qualifier in both the 400 and 800 freestyle. Rinaldi attends Cary Academy in Durham, N.C., where in August of 2002 she won the NISCA title in the 200 breaststroke. Rinaldi is also a high school Academic All-American and Senior National Qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.

Silver resides in Bainbridge Island, Wash., where she was an All-American at Bainbridge High School and became the first high school swimmer in the state of Washington to win the 50 and 100 freestyle all four years. Silver is also the state of Washington record holder in the 50 and 100 free, as well as a 2004 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 50 and 100 free.

Another Northwest swimmer who will be attending Cal is Patterson from Westview High School in Portland, Ore. She is a high school All-American, as well as a Senior National qualifier and 2004 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 breaststroke.

Verdin attends Jefferson Science and Technology High School in Alexandria, Va., where she is a high school All-American in the 100 backstroke. She is a Senior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 backstroke as well.

The Bears' diving signee, Katy Banks, is from Laguna Hills High School and is a member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Diving Club. Banks is a three-time high school All-American and a 2004 Olympic Trials qualifier on the tower. She has been a Junior Olympic competitor in diving since age 11.

2003-04 California Swimming and Diving Signees

Name		Hometown		High School
Katy Banks	Laguna Hills, CA        Laguna Hills HS
Jessica Cotton	Stockton, CA		Lincoln HS
G. Patterson	Portland, OR		Westview HS
Jenna Rinaldi	Durham, NC		Cary Academy
Emily Silver	Bainbridge Island, WA	Bainbridge HS
Emily Verdin	Alexandria, VA		Jefferson S&T HS