The Merrill Aqua Jays Swim Team (MAJST) hosted a college signing day for their Seniors who signed their declarations of intent to continue their swim careers at the college level. Four area swimmers, who have excelled as swimmers for the MAJST, signed to swim with four different colleges. Amber Winter, Caitlynn Pehlke, Megan Miles, and Aiden Denzer all plan to continue swimming while attending college at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh, and Monmouth Colleges, respectively.
Amber Winter, daughter of Chris and Kristie Winter, started swimming at seven years old. She qualified for every State swim meet since the age of nine. Amber has represented Team Wisconsin at multiple events, including USA Zone swimming and Midwest All Stars. She has also swum at the ISCA and NCSA National meets in Florida as an age group swimmer. As a Merrill High School (MHS) swimmer, she was named MVP all four years, is a four-time letter earner, and received multiple All Conference honors. In 2020, she finished in third place in the 100 breaststroke at the WIAA DII State Swim Meet, and in 2022, she was State Champion in the event, also earning a USA futures time standard. Amber will be attending and swimming for UW-Eau Claire in the fall.
Caitlynn Pehlke, daughter of Eric and Jenni Pehlke, joined swim in sixth grade. She continued to improve each year, swimming on the middle school and high school teams, as well. She was a Captain on the MHS Swim Team during the 2022 season, a four-year letter earner, and has placed top 16 in Sectionals. Caitlynn will be attending and swimming for UW-Whitewater in the fall.
Megan Miles, daughter of Rick and Dani Miles, joined the Aqua Jays as a Freshman transferring from Tomahawk. She quickly became a strong swimmer for the team. She was a Sectional point earner and two-time letter earner on the MHS Swim Team. She was also part of the 200 Medley relay at WIAA DII State this year. Megan suffered an ACL tear last winter and worked hard to get back into competitive shape this past season. Megan will be attending and swimming for UW-Oshkosh in the fall.
Aiden Denzer, daughter of Chad and Cathy Bach, has swum with the Merrill Aqua Jays the past five seasons. As a high school swimmer, Aiden swam for Medford Area High School. She was a Team Captain, four-time letter earner, Sectional point earner, and qualified for the WIAA DII State Swim Meet in the 100 backstroke this past season, finishing 13th. Aiden will be attending and swimming for Monmouth College next year.
MAJST wishes all of these talented swimmers good luck in the future.
