MOSES LAKE - Courtney Schwiesow, senior anchor on the Moses Lake High School swim and dive team, has signed a letter of intent to enroll at California State University-East Bay in Oakland on a swimming scholarship.

"I am really excited to sign with Cal State," Schwiesow said. "This is a big opportunity for me. It's something I had hoped for since I began swimming competitively at the age of 9."

Ben Loorz, head swim coach at Cal State, was just as enthusiastic to have Schwiesow on the team.

"We are thrilled about Courtney's decision to swim for us," he said. "We feel she has the potential to be an outstanding collegiate athlete."

Schwiesow, the daughter of Tom and Susan Schwiesow of Moses Lake, is a four year letter winner, team captain, and 2011 Big Nine District Champion in the 100 breastroke. She has qualified for the state meet fours years running and is a distinguished academic award winner.

"Courtney has been the most committed Moses Lake High School swimmer for several years," coach Tony St. Onge said. "The time and effort she has put into this sport has paid off with the opportunity to swim in college. More importantly, the pursuit of her high goals has taught her to believe, achieve and be confident her best competitive swimming times are still ahead her."

Her parents, who spent many years taking her to swim work outs and meets, couldn't be happier for their daughter's recognition and commitment offered by the university.

"We are so proud of Courtney," they said. "Her dedication to the sport has kept us motivated to make the necessary sacrifices to help her achieve her goals. This has included getting up at 4:30 am to swim, attending two workouts per day on a year-round basis and traveling to meets year round. We are excited about her future and that she has the opportunity to continue her swimming career."

Schwiesow will enroll at Cal State in the fall of 2012.