A-J state champion swimmer Elizabeth Bell signs with U of I

After months gathering information and weighing interest showed in her by more than 30 Division I universities, Anna-Jonesboro Community High School senior Elizabeth Bell visited four of her top choices.

Full and nearly full scholarship offers from Tulane and Rice were very hard to ignore. Purdue also made a strong bid for her services, but the University of Illinois emerged as the choice.

The fact that she is a fourth generation Pearce family member to enroll in the University of Illinois played no part in her decision, but the educational reputation of the university, the team camaraderie she noted during a visit, and the persuasiveness of Illini assistant coach Steve Farnau were keys to remaining in state.

“She brings an incredible talent to our team along with the work ethic to maximize her potential. We are confident she will contribute immediately at the Big Ten Championships and ultimately at the NCAA championships,” Farnau said.

The Illini have finished far off the pace in recent Big Ten championship meets, but according to head coach Sue Novitsky, last year was a good recruiting year, and she thinks this year’s crop will be even stronger.

“Elizabeth will add an immediate punch to our sprint freestyle and butterfly events. Her time in the fly is faster than our current varsity record and her time in the 50 freestyle would rank her in the top 10 at Illinois and is faster than the Illini pool record,” Novitsky said.

Joining the A-J grad will be several student athletes who also finished high school careers as finalists at the IHSA swim meet. An Olympic Trials meet swimmer from the East Coast will also head the group of nine who begin in the fall of 2010.