(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s swimming team is naming distance freestyle and butterfly specialist Erika Handregan as the first member of their 2023 recruiting class.

The 17-year-old, from Winnipeg, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2023-24 Atlantic University Sport season.

“I really felt at home at UNB,” said Handregan, after her official recruiting visit. “I really liked the environment and the spirit the REDS had.”

Currently finishing her Grade 12 year at Winnipeg’s Grant Park High School, Handregan is a veteran member of the Manta Swim Club and has been invited to join Team Manitoba for the 2023 Western Canadian Swimming Championships, in Calgary, in March.

Her current personal bests in the 400m and 800m freestyle and 100m and 200m butterfly would’ve earned her Top 3 finishes at UNB’s Amby Legere Invitational, earlier this year.

“I think some of my strengths are that I’m a natural leader and a supportive teammate,” said Handregan. “My goal, as a RED, is to qualify for the U SPORTS Championships and help the team excel and grow.”

“Erika had great energy and connected easily with the group when she came to our recruiting event,” said REDS head coach Marta Belsh. “She’ll be a great addition to our distance program and help the team to be more competitive in distance events.”

Handregan will study Business while attending UNB.

PHOTOS: Renee Kardash