On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2015, North Penn seniors Aimee Baur, Erin O’Neill and Marie Yacapino were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to take their swimming/diving talents to the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Aimee Baur – Saint Francis University (Swimming/Water Polo)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Saint Francis, Grove City
Reasons for choosing Saint Francis: “I chose Saint Francis because I really liked the coaches there and the girls on the team.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming and water polo at the collegiate level? “Swimming and water polo have been such a big part of my life growing up, and I couldn’t imagine stopping now when I still have a chance to play.”
Water polo coach Katie Grunmeier says: “Aimee was first team all-state, and last year, she was our hole set, which is an offensive position. She is the backbone to our offense in scoring. She has a strong outside and inside shot, and obviously, her tall presence helps a lot.”
Swimming coach Matt Weiser says: “Aimee stepped in as a freshman and did very well, but her sophomore year and junior year is when she really took off. I really looked at her last year as one of the people that really set our team apart and really kind of – I used the expression – put the hammer to the nail and really just made our team soar and get much better. She’s strong in all the freestyle events. I’m really looking forward to see what she can do this year.”
About Aimee:
Favorite food: All fruit & Double Dunker Ice Cream
Favorite movie: Freedom Writers
Favorite music: 21 Pilots
Erin O’Neill – Saint Francis University (Swimming/Water Polo)
Major: Applied Mathematics
Final list of colleges: Saint Francis, Allegheny College
Reasons for choosing Saint Francis: “I liked Saint Francis because of all the people, and the coaches were really awesome.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in swimming and water polo at the collegiate level? “I knew I wanted to continue at least one of the sports in college, but Saint Francis happens to have both, so I’m going to play both.”
Water polo coach Katie Grunmeier says: “Erin was a first team all-state nomination, third team All-American. Last year, as a junior, she was our team’s MVP. She’s our most versatile and strongest player in and out of the water. She’s tough and can play any position. We put her on the opposing team’s best player, and she shuts them down. I personally don’t think there’s another player in the state comparable to her.”
Swimming coach Matt Weiser says: “Erin has been a girl that made the state meet all three years so far and has contributed there. She’s been an all-state swimmer that last three years and an All-American as well. It’s awesome to watch her progress from just starting off being on a few relays to swimming an individual event last year in the 100 breaststroke. I’m really looking forward to seeing what she does this year. She’s just going to get better and better.”
About Erin:
Favorite food: Chicken Bakes
Favorite movie: Pitch Perfect
Favorite music: Imagine Dragons
Marie Yacapino – San Diego State University (Diving)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: San Diego State, Clemson, North Carolina State, Auburn
Reasons for choosing San Diego State: “When I took my recruiting trip to San Diego, I just knew that was the right place. Everything felt right for me.”
What was the progression that led you to diving at the collegiate level? “I knew I wanted to do diving in college since my freshman year because I started doing really well and progressing more. I saw some of my friends going through the recruiting process, so that got me more interested in it.”
Swimming coach Matt Weiser says: “Marie is one of the best divers in the state. Diving is one of those things that doesn’t always get enough credit in the swimming and diving realm and the swimming and diving meets, but when you have a star like Marie, you just feel confident meet in and meet out that she’s going to win that event. It makes you feel a lot of relief during that diving break, and that’s not always the case.”
Diving coach Kyle Goldbacher says: “It’s been an honor to have the opportunity to coach Marie over the past nine years. Through the years, there have been many triumphs and defeats, and what I can say about Marie is she has done a really good job of learning how to learn, independent of whether it was a success or a perceived failure, and for that reason, she has grown beyond her own expectations.
“When she entered North Penn High School, I knew what North Penn High School was in store for and tried to keep it quiet and let her prove it for herself, and she did. She exceeded her own expectations her freshman year and has done a really good job each consecutive year to maintain the pressure of the expectation from outside. She puts a lot of pressure on herself and strives to be the best she can be continuously, but she also carries that weight, and she’s done an exceptionally good job. Marie is a five-time Junior National qualifier. This summer she won her first national championship in AAU, and she’s a three-time high school All-American. We have a special season ahead of us right now.
“What I can say about the recruiting process – diving has become very technical. It used to be with Greg Louganis very artistic, and Marie is sort of in that old school format, so when a Division One premier school is looking at her, they could identify certain flaws or weaknesses in her technique, but what they could not deny was her athleticism. That makes her a special recruit for the nation because no one really knows how good she could be paired with the right coach and in the right environment. She could really do something special.”
About Marie:
Favorite food: Candy
Favorite movie: Goodwill Hunting
Favorite music: EDM/Dubstep
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