FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Head coach Scott Lemley and the Alaska swimming team continue to procure top local talent, as Fairbanks native Cassidy Heaton has officially signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Alaska next fall and swim for the Nanooks.
Heaton, who will be looking to make an immediate impact when she joins the program next season, was named the Swimmer of the Year by Northern Area Aquatics/USA Swimming in 2013, following being named the Breakout Performer of the Year, the previous season.
While at West Valley High School, Heaton was part of the Regional Champion team and was a finalist for all four years she attended in both relays and individual events. She earned a first-place finish in the 500 freestyle three years running (2012-14).
"I've had the good fortune to work with Cassidy for a number of years as her club coach and she is a focused student-athlete with an incredible work ethic," said head coach Scott Lemley. "Cassidy is precisely the type of student-athlete we want on our team. She's a blue collar worker and one of the most coachable swimmers I've ever worked with."
Continued Lemley, "Being a distance swimmer, Cassidy is tough, both mentally and physically, she never complains and just gets to work. And it is a bonus is she's an Alaskan; show knows the climate and isn't afraid of a little cold weather. She'll do more than fit in; she's custom made for our team."
Heaton has several connections to the University of Alaska and Nanook athletics. Her step-mother was a swimmer for the Nanooks from 2005-07 and her father is a professor at the University.
The future Nanook has also been a member of the Stringray swim team where, last February, she placed second in the 400 freestyle and third in the 800 freestyle as well as a pair of top-15 finishes in the breastroke (100 and 200) at the Great Alaska Open.
