Hazelton secures scholarship in Toledo

The Sault Ste. Marie Aquatic Club's Shannon Hazelton is off to Toledo.

The 17 year-old swimmer has secured a full-ride scholarship with the University of Toledo Rockets will begin studies next fall.

The following is a full-text release of the announcement from SSMAC:

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Hazelton Lands U.S. Swim Scholarship

The Sault Ste. Marie Aquatic Club has produced yet another U.S. collegiate athlete.

Shannon Hazelton, 17, will swim for the University of Toledo Rockets next fall as she begins her studies to become a teacher with a full-ride scholarship. She signed a National Letter of Intent with the Ohio university earlier this month.

Several other SSMAC swimmers have moved on to perform at U.S. universities, including Colin and Blaine Dolcetti, Jennifer Jonusaitis, Andrea Shoust, and Natalie Weingartner.

Hazelton joined SSMAC for the 1996-1997 season and has become a leading performer with the club, most recently winning the high point trophy in her age range at last weekend's Joey Calzone's 2004 Invitational Swim Meet in Sault Ste. Marie.

She credits the club's coaching staff with being instrumental in her emerging as a collegiate-calibre athlete.

"My first coach, Bill Park, gave me the base for competing, improved my technique and taught me that hard work pays off," she says. "Over the past two seasons, Rob Moreside has taught me to believe in myself, how to focus, and has brought my training and competing to a new level."

Moreside is delighted with Shannon's success.

"She has proven to herself and others that you can overcome adversity with determination," he says. "Shannon has put illness and injury behind her by dedicating herself to a pursuit for which she has a passion. She's an example to others by balancing athletics, academics, work and other activities all while being a team leader," says Moreside.

"Shannon is a personable young woman and we wish her much success as she combines a university education with continued pursuit of excellence in the pool."

Hazelton will be swimming under head coach Lars Jorgensen, a 1988 U.S. Olympian and winner of six national titles. Assistant Rocket coach Mandy Commons is a four-time NCAA Championship competitor and was twice a NCAA all American.

"I am really happy with what the future holds and the opportunity to combine swimming with my university experiences," says Hazelton.

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