Cincinnati, Ohio – November 12, 2015: Two Saint Ursula Academy seniors participated in a signing ceremony on Thursday, November 12, 2015 to announce their intent to play college sports.
Alexandra Wall, of Delhi Twp., daughter of Jeff and DeAnna Wall has committed to swim for Division 1 University of Cincinnati.
Molly Zilch of Symmes Twp., daughter of Dave and Beth Zilch, has committed to swim for Division 1 Miami University.
Alexandra Wall will swim next fall for the University of Cincinnati. Alexandra is a four-year varsity member of the Saint Ursula Academy Aquadawg swim and dive team. She was named a co-captain for the team this year.
She has earned many awards and honors. In the GGCL, Alexandra was named 2nd Team All-Star in 2014 in the 200-Medley Relay, 200 Individual Medley, 400 Freestyle Relay and earned Honorable Mention in the 100 Backstroke. She was named 2nd Team All-Star in 2013 in the 200-Medley Relay and awarded Honorable Mention in the 200 Individual Medley.
She was named to the All-City 1st Team is 2015 for 200 Medley Relay with honorable mention in 100 Backstroke. That follows recognition as All-City Honorable Mention in 2014 in the 200 Freestyle Relay and 100 Backstroke and in 2013 for the 200 Freestyle Relay. She is also part of the SUA team that holds the current school record in the 200 Medley Relay.
She has qualified for the State Championship meet several times. In 2015, she competed at State in the 100 Backstroke, 200 Individual Medley, and 200 Medley Relay. With her help, the Aquadawg team was state runner-up in the 2015 State Championship meet. In 2014, she qualified for State in the 100 Backstroke and 200 Freestyle Relay and in 2013 in the 200 Medley and Freestyle relays. She was given an All-Ohio Award in 2014 and 2013 in the 200 Free Relay.
Alexandra was selected as a High School All-American swimmer this year. She is an Academic All-American, a Junior National Championship Qualifier and a USA Swimming Sectional Qualifier.
Out of the pool, Alexandra is also a great student. She is a member of the National Honor Society and made the honor roll in every quarter at SUA. She is also active in Student Outreach Services where she volunteers at the Bethany House and Ronald McDonald House. She is a member of the Saint Ursula Students for Advancement club, is a Saint Ursula Ambassador, and is a peer tutor for classmates in the Bulldog Academic Resource Center.
Alexandra’s SUA Head Coach Ann Gartner ’77 said this about Alexandra, “Alexandra is the embodiment of a successful St. Ursula student athlete. From the beginning of her first season at SUA, she has demonstrated a stellar work ethic in the pool and in academics. She has been a valuable asset to the Aquadawgs, with her contributions to the team success, and her versatility in individual events and on relays. Alexandra is an outstanding teammate, and will bring all these attributes to UC next season. We are counting on her leadership and experience to take our team to greater success this season.”
Her Cincinnati Marlins Coach, Chris Wolford, said "Seeing the progress Alexandra has made over the last three years has been a remarkable experience. The strides she has made in athleticism, leadership, and confidence has propelled her to be a Division I college athlete with a great future."
Molly Zilch is headed to the pool at Miami University next fall. She also is a four-year varsity member of the Saint Ursula Academy Aquadawg swim and dive team. She was named a co-captain for the team this year.
She qualified for the State Championship meet in Ohio in the 200 and 500 Freestyle in her Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years and we look forward to seeing her swim as a senior this upcoming season. She placed fourth in the 200 and 500 Freestyle at the State championships last year. With her help, the SUA Aquadawg team was state runner-up in that 2015 State Championship meet. The team was also GGCL, Sectional and District Champions in 2015.
Molly holds the Saint Ursula Academy school record in 200 Freestyle and is a member of the relay team that set the 400 Freestyle Relay School Record. She and her relay team set the pool record at Sycamore High School in the 400 Freestyle Relay. That same relay team also holds the Coaches Classic 400 Freestyle relay record.
Molly was named 1st team All-Star in 2015 and was 2nd Team All-Star in 2014 and 2013.
She was named a High School All-American in the 200 Freestyle and the 400 Freestyle Relay as a senior.
Molly has been swimming with the Cincinnati Marlins since she was 7 years old. She was part of the National Team and was a NCSA National Qualifier.
Out of the pool, Molly has served as a Saint Ursula Academy Ambassador since her freshman year. She volunteers at Bethany House and has been part of the SUA Earth Club since her freshman year. She is also a four-year member of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA).
Molly’s SUA Head Coach Ann Gartner ’77 said this about her, “Molly is an outstanding swimmer, who through determination and hard work, has contributed mightily to the success of St. Ursula swimming. Being a distance swimmer, she is a self motivated athlete, and that work ethic is a great example to her SUA teammates. She has become a leader in the water and on deck, and has earned the respect and confidence of her teammates and coaches. There is no doubt Molly will continue to have success this upcoming year and be an outstanding example as a senior. She will carry that success onto Miami University next year.”
Her Cincinnati Marlins Coach Chris Wolford said, "I am so proud of all Molly has accomplished as a swimmer, but more importantly as person and team leader. She is the first one to the pool each day and these actions demonstrate her commitment and hard work to all her coaches and teammates."
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2015 earned college scholarships totaling more than $19-million.