Ball Signs Four to Swimming Class of 2017

The Central Connecticut swimming and diving team has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2017 class. Stephanie Czulewicz, Christine Rasile, Sabree Thomas and Lisa Ward will all be joining the 2013-14 roster.

Czulewicz, a Norwalk High School All-State student-athlete comes to New Britain from Norwalk, CT.

"Stephanie is extremely strong in the middle distance freestyle and backstroke," Head Coach Bill Ball said. "She will continue to help CCSU swimming in maintaining its high level of scoring in these events."

Rasile, a Branford, CT native, is a sprint and middle distance freestyle swimmer. She captained her Branford High School team to a 2012 State Championship. Rasile is also a Connecticut state champion and record holder.

"Christine will make an immediate impact at the Northeast Conference Championships next season," Ball said.

Thomas is a YMCA National Qualifier and comes to Central from South Hadley, MA. She is an IM and butterfly swimmer that shows great potential to have an impressive impact on the 2013-14 squad.

"Sabree is an extremely talented sprint flyer and IM'er," Ball said. "She is unique in the fact that she has only swam in the 200 IM and the 100 fly rested. We are excited to see what other events an athlete with that much ability can do rested in others. She could make an even bigger impact than we anticipate."

Ward, a Trumbull, CT native,  is a high school sectional qualifier. She swims the 200 and 400 IM and also specializes in the butterfly event.

"Lisa is a jack of all trades," Ball said. "She is strong in all strokes and at all distances and can impact the program and conference meets in many ways."

These four student-athletes will join a program that will have lost seven members to graduation that have amassed 20 All-Conference individual performances and six individual championships. "In three years, this group will certainly help in starting to replace the major loses to graduation next season," Ball said.