LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The New Mexico State swimming and diving team bolstered their roster for 2017-18, signing a strong crop of recruits. The new class includes Katherine Harston out of Colorado, Olivia Bender from Arizona, Kayla Gerhart coming from Texas and Eliana Beaudry, a native of Quebec, Canada.
 
When asked about the signings, head coach Rick Pratt commented, "We've had a couple of huge classes officially commit to New Mexico State over the past couple seasons and this year we were looking for a few great additions as well.  We've certainly already done that with these early commitments.  They are going to make great Aggies and have the character and personality to represent our program at a high level."
 
Katherine Harston - Littleton, Colo.
Intended Major: Education
 
Katherine Harston joins the Aggies as another strong flyer and middle distance freestyler who will make an immediate impact on the NM State squad. Harston swims for Heritage High School with Tom Boyrick and the Aces Swim Club, under Eric Craven.  The Littleton, Colo. native was a finalist in the 200 fly at the USA Swimming Futures Championships, the past two long course seasons. Her times during her time in high school would have all placed in last year's WAC Championship meet. 
 
Coach Pratt remarked, "Katherine came around relatively late in the fall recruiting period and we feel lucky and honored to have her commitment to our program.  She is a fun kid who has the drive and talent to bring much to our program.  Competitively, she fits in great with our needs in the fly and freestyle events and she has tremendous upside."  
 
Personal Best Times:  (SCY)
200 fly: 2:03.10
200 free: 1:51.87
500 free 4:57.80
 
Olivia Bender – Buckeye, Ariz.
Intended Major: Journalism and Mass Communications
 
Olivia Bender will join her sister Picabo Bender at NM State next fall. The swimmer is a talented freestyler, great participant in the breast stroke and strong individual medley swimmer.  Bender swims with coach Matt Benedict and the Westside Silver Fins YMCA swim team.  Bender recently finished 6^th at the AZ Division II State Championship meet in the 100 breast and helped her Verrado High School 400 free relay team finish 6^th as well.
 
"We've had several sisters join their older siblings with our program and I'm very honored to have Olivia's commitment" commented coach Pratt. "She is a very special individual with strong values and drive.  Her swimming potential is huge with her physique and talent.  She will help bring depth to our roster in the breast stroke and sprint freestyle events and should develop into a strong competitor in the individual medley, as well.  She has the character and drive to contribute on many levels with our team."
 
Personal Best Times:  (SCY)   
100 free: 54.68
100 breast: 1:08.00
200 IM: 2:13.57
 
Kayla Gerhart – Lubbock, Texas
Intended Major:  Nursing                      
 
New Mexico State signee, Kayla Gerhart, will join the Aggies next fall and she hails from Lubbock, TX.  Gerhart swims with Coach Trey Heyes and the Lubbock Swim Club, competing in the breast stroke and the individual medley events.  Gerhart's times out of high school would already score for NM State at the WAC Championship meet and she has the potential to be a real threat in competitions.  She will add extra depth at breast stroke, here at NM State.
 
Talking about the singing of Gerhart, coach Pratt said, "We are thrilled about Kayla's commitment to our program.  Academically she is an amazing student and her strong work ethic carries into her swimming as well.  She is a positive and caring individual who will contribute to our team in many ways.  Kayla is a great fit to our program and I am looking forward in working with her."
 
Personal Best Times:  (SCY)
100 breast:  1:06.07
200 breast: 2:19.76
200 IM: 2:09.72
 
 
Eliana Beaudry – St Joseph Du Lac, Que. Canada
Intended Major: International Business
 
Eliana Beaudry will join the Aggies from Quebec, Canada and swims with her father Marc Beaudry and the Dollard Des Ormeaux Swim Club.  Beaudry will make a huge and immediate impact for the Aggie program. Eliana is one of the top competitors in the back stroke and fly, in her province, and has been named a Canadian Olympic trials qualifier.  Beaudry is also strong in the freestyle events, which will help the Aggies with relays in the upcoming seasons.
 
"Eliana's commitment to our program is very special to me, as her father had a very positive influence in my life as a swimmer growing up in Quebec." said coach Pratt. "We are thrilled to have an opportunity to help in her growth as a student and athlete.  Eliana is a positive and mature individual and it was great to see the connection that our team made with her during her visit.  Not only is she a talented swimmer, but will also make an awesome teammate.  Eliana has tremendous potential and will make an impact in the WAC and beyond."
 
Personal Best Times: (SCMeters)
100 back:  1:01.48
200 back: 2:12.99
100 fly:  1:01.11