Jan. 11, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina rowing coach Sarah Haney has announced the signing of two high school standouts to letters of intent. Meagan Swaim and Toni Moran will join the UNC program in the fall of 2008. "Meagan and Toni are both very versatile athletes," Haney said.

"They have repeatedly shown success not only in sculling and sweep rowing, but also in multiple events within each discipline. They both have a tremendous work ethic and attitude. We are looking forward to having them here and we welcome them to our Carolina Rowing Family."

Swaim is from Roswell, Ga., and attends Alan C. Pope High School. As a member of the Saint Andrew's Rowing Club, she earned a silver at the 2007 USRowing Youth National Regatta in the junior women's eight and was fifth in the junior women's four. She also competed in the Youth National Regatta in 2006 and twice has rowed at the Head of the Charles. She attended Southeast Junior Development Camp in 2006 and '07.

"Meagan is a great all-around athlete and person," Haney said. "She has shown that she is successful not only as a sweep rower but also as a sculler and has led her team and herself to success throughout her high school career. She has a strong work ethic and is disciplined in her sport. We feel very confident that Meagan is going to be successful here at UNC and we are excited to have her join us."

Moran is from Haddonfield, N.J., and attends Haddonfield Memorial High School. She rows for the Fairmont Rowing Association and the Haddonfield Crew Club. Among her top finishes in competition are first in the junior singles at the Schukyill Navy Regatta and thirds at Club Nationals (junior B quads) and Kings Head Regatta (youth doubles). She has made the semifinals at the Canadian Henley (junior A doubles and junior B quads) and Stotesbury (second varsity eight) and the finals at Club Nationals in the junior eights. She was 14th in youth doubles at the Head of the Charles.

"Toni is a mature, well-disciplined athlete," Haney said. "She has proven that she can be successful on her own in her 1x or with her team in a 4+ or an 8+ and that is due to her maturity and her discipline and self motivation. We are all very eager to see what Toni will bring to the Carolina Rowing program and are excited about her career here."

The Carolina rowing team opens the 2008 spring season on March 8, hosting Alabama at Lake Wheeler in Raleigh, N.C.