University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS, AK – Alaska Nanooks swimming head coach Scott Lemley announced the signing of Denise Howard of North Pole to a National Letter of Intent. She will enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the fall with four years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

A four-year swimmer for North Pole High School, Howard was a state qualifier in three of her four seasons with the Patriots. After claiming Freshman of the Year as a rookie in 2006, she went on to earn the team's sportsmanship award and Most Valuable Player throughout her prep career.

"Denise is one of our most valuable recruits this year,” said Lemley. “She's a sprinter and will probably make an impact on the team right away. “We've struggled a bit over the years having enough sprinters at any one time to put together a really fast freestyle relay. Her best times of 26.20 and 56.88 will put her in contention for making it onto our "A" freestyle relays as a freshman next season."

Howard has also participated with the North Pole Aquatics club, swimming for ten years.

Howard has not declared a major, however she plans to pursue a career in sports medicine and physical therapy.