Casarin, Noe Join @CanesSwimDive Program
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Head swimming coach Andy Kershaw of the University of Miami swimming & diving program announced the addition of two student-athletes to the program Friday.
Ianire Casarin (Villorba, Italy) will join the swimming team as a mid-year addition for the spring 2016 semester, while swimmer Chantal Noe (Ruesselheim, Germany) will join the program for 2016-17.
“I really believe we are starting to put the pieces together to move this program forward on the national scene,” Kershaw said. “We are going to have a well-rounded group of incomers in every sense of the word for next season. In the water, they are going to cover a number of key events and bolster both our top-end talent and our depth. This particular group has been recognized on a global level, and when you look around the country, that is one of the constants in all of the great programs.”
Casarin, set to start classes at the University of Miami next week, is a freestyle specialist with impressive career marks in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle. Her top times translated from long course meters are 1:47.5 in the 200 free, 49.8 seconds in the 100 free and 23.4 seconds in the 50 freestyle.
“The day we found out that Ianire was coming to Miami was an exciting one,” Kershaw said. “She comes from a great family and is very determined to improve as a student and a swimmer. I know she was highly sought after by many programs across the country, and I think the fact that she chose to come here says a lot about where our program is heading.”
One area where Kershaw sees Casarin’s addition paying immediate dividends is in Miami’s free relay group.
“Ianire will certainly give us a boost in that quest, not to mention her impact in individual events. Her biggest relay impact will come on the 400 and 800 free relay which is huge for us,” Kershaw said. “In addition to the NCAA, Ianire also has big international goals and long course meter goals, and I think those are key to building a long-lasting, top level program.”
Noe’s addition for next season is crucial for Kershaw and the Hurricanes, who lack a level of depth in breaststroke events – Noe’s signature stroke.
“Chantal is going to make such a big impact on this program, and it is going to happen as soon as she steps on campus,” Kershaw said. “Adding an incoming swimmer that already has times whose times would be close to qualifying for the NCAA Championships is obviously going to change that drastically. She is also going to be a great training partner for Julia [Schippert], and together I see both of them doing great things.”
Noe has impressed on the international junior stage for her native Germany, where she has posted times that would already translate in the 50-yard breaststroke (28.4 seconds), 100 breaststroke (1:00.90) and 200 breaststroke (2:13.20) as some of Miami’s best.
“Chantal comes highly recommended by her coach, who was one of Germany’s World Championship coaches last summer, and she has been improving drastically over the last year,” Kershaw said. “I can’t wait to work with her and help her continue that trend. Chantal is also going to bring a lot to the team outside of the pool – she is very kind, but I can sense a little edge to her when the going gets tough.”
Kershaw said the addition of Casarin and Noe is yet another sign of momentum for the Hurricanes swimming & diving program.
“Beyond the pool, our future swimmers and divers are going to continue our cultural and academic diversity, which is such a benefit to the group as a whole. It really prepares them for life,” Kershaw said. “I have always thought it is important that a college team mirror its student body in make-up, and this group helps us accomplish that. The future certainly looks bright in Coral Gables!”
