SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University head swimming coach Lindsie Micko announced Tuesday the signing of Taylor Beagle (Lead, South Dakota), Kelsey Gilbert (Clarkston, Michigan), Abby Magee (Marysville, Washington) and Claire Washenberger (Sioux Falls) to letters of intent to continue their academic and swimming careers at Augustana.
 
The first day of the NCAA early signing period for women's swimming programs was Wednesday, Nov. 9.
 
"I am very excited to bring in the next group of student-athletes to represent Augustana," Micko said. "All four of these talented athletes are versatile and add great depth to our program."
 
Beagle is a senior at Lead Deadwood High School and is a member of the Black Hills Gold Swimming Club. During her junior season, Beagle was the South Dakota State Champion in the short course 1,000-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle. She also won state titles in the long course 800-yard freestyle and the 400-yard IM.
 
Beagle Top Times
100-freestyle: 54.81
1000-freestyle: 10:50.19
1650-freestyle: 17:57.87
200-backstroke: 2:13.66
400 IM: 4:47.76
 
Gilbert is a senior at Clarkston High School in Michigan where she competes for the Oakland Live Y'ers swim club. Gilbert earned All-State Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore in 2014-15 after being named first team all-conference. She was a Division 1 state qualifier in the 200 and 500 freestyle sophomore season and was voted as her team's most improved athlete. She was a member of a conference championship team as a freshman and qualified for the 200 and 500 freestyle in the state tournament. Gilbert was named her team's Rookie of the Year in 2013-14.
 
"Kelsey comes to Augustana from a great club program in Michigan," Micko said. "She is the type of athlete that could have an immediate impact on our program competing at a high level at the conference and NCAA Championship level."
 
Gilbert Top Times
500-freestyle: 4:57.46
1000-freestyle: 10:19.22
1650-freestyle: 16:54.15
400 IM: 4:31.53
 
Magee is a senior at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington where she recently completed her senior campaign. She was a two-time team captain and a four-time state qualifier. Her senior season, Magee placed 14th at the state tournament in the 200-yard IM and 11th in the 100-yard butterfly. As a junior, Magee placed seventh at the state meet in the 200-yard medley relay and in the 200-yard IM while also finishing 10th in the 100-yard butterfly. She placed 13th in the 100-yard butterfly at state as a sophomore and 14th in the 200-yard IM.
 
"Abby was a great fit with our team from the minute she stepped on campus for her official visit," Micko said. "She has great potential and will step in and help us immediately in the fly and IM events."
 
Magee Top Times
100-butterfly: 59.34
200-butterfly: 2:09379
200 IM: 2:12.33
400 IM: 4:40.32
 
Washenberger is a senior at O'Gorman High School and is a member of the Sioux Falls Swim Team. She will compete in the breaststroke and IM events for the Vikings in 2017-18. Washenberger has recorded a personal-best time of 1:14.51 in the 100-yard breaststroke and a time of 2:37.29 in the 200-yard breaststroke. She has recorded personal-best times of 2:16.64 in the 200 IM and 4:50.98 in the 400 IM.

"Claire has a huge upside and is going to continue to improve her skills as a college swimmer," Micko said. "She will be a huge asset to our team in the breaststroke and IM events."

Washenberger Top Times
100-breaststroke: 1:14.51
200-breaststroke: 2:37.29
200 IM: 2:16.64
400 IM: 4:50.98
 
Augustana swimming returns to action Jan. 13-14 at the MSU Moorhead Invitational in Moorhead, Minnesota.
 
Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Augustana University is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.