INDIANAPOLIS – Head Coach Maurice Stewart added seven student-athletes to the Butler swim roster over the off-season. These seven swimmers head to Indianapolis from seven different states and provide depth to the team in many different areas.  
 
CeCe Gerard
5-7
Sprint Free / Fly
Omaha, Neb.
Westside H.S.

High School: All-Conference selection… Helped set school records in the 200 Free Relay and in the 200 Medley Relay… Part of two State Championship teams (2024, 2023)… Metro Champs in 2024…Became the 100 Fly Invite Champ with a time of 57.13… Metro Champion in the 50 Free, clocking in at 24.6… Earned four varsity letters… Also swam for the Greater Omaha Aquatic Leopard Sharks… Member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Nation Honor Society… Also ran cross country.

Personal: Daughter of Matt and Melissa Gerard… Has two siblings… Plans to major in strategic communications / journalism.

Why Gerard Chose Butler
"Butler has an inviting atmosphere and a wide selection of majors. Butler allows me to be involved in many things that I am passionate about and I can see myself thriving there."
 
Kayla Wright
5-3
Distance Free
Marietta, Ga.
Harrison H.S.

High School: Two-time First Team All-State selection… First Team All-County honoree… Made the Second Team All-County Team two times… Top performances came in the 500 Free, 400 Free and 1500 Free… Set three school records at Harrison H.S. (400 Free Relay, 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay)… Earned four varsity letters… Member of the Tidal Wave Swimming Club Team… Set two team club records (400 Free, 1500 Free)… Member of the French Honors Society.

Personal: Daughter of Peter and Amy Wright… Has a sibling named Nate… Plans to major in Sports Media.

Why Wright Chose Butler
"I chose Butler for the incredible team environment. It feels like family."
 
Meghan Voelker
5-7
Free / Fly
Fishers, Ind.
Hamilton Southeastern H.S.

High School: Earned four varsity letters… Received the Nathan King Outstanding Mental Attitude award… Member of the Southeastern Swim Club.

Personal: Daughter of Chris and Melissa Voelker… Has two siblings; Justin and Nathan… Plans to major in elementary education.

Why Voelker Chose Butler
"Everyone at Butler is welcoming and I'm excited about the athletic and academic opportunities that the university has to offer."
 
Caitlin Herring
5-7
Free
Sugar Land, Texas
Homeschool

Before Butler: Member of the Swim Houston Aquatics Center… Top times include: 50 Free – 24.53… 100 Free – 52.61… 200 Free – 1:54.52… 500 Free – 5:11.79… National Homeschool Honor Society member… Vice President in 2022-23 and President in 2023-24… Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam… Maxima Cum Laude.

Personal: Daughter of William and Gina Herring… Has four siblings; Noah, Hannah, Luke and Hazel… Accounting major.

Why Herring Chose Butler
"Butler allows me to compete within an elite athletic program at a small school without sacrificing high-level academics."
 
Zizi Mateja
5-7
Free
Northbrook, Ill.
Loyola Academy

High School: Earned four varsity letters… Tabbed All-Conference and All-Sectional… Top times include: 50 Free – 24.7… 100 Free – 52.61… 200 Free – 1:55.26… Member of the COHO Swim Club.

Personal: Daughter of Tim and Julia Mateja… Has two siblings; Vivienne and Dylan… Plans to major in Software Engineering.

Why Mateja Chose Butler
"Butler has a welcoming team environment, supportive coaches and a great academic environment."
 
Emma Ciesla
5-3
Fly / IM
Rochester Hills, Mich.
Notre Dame Prep

High School: Earned four varsity letters… Part of three SMISL Championship Teams… Two-time All-State honors… Top times include: 200 Fly – 2:04.8… 100 Fly – 57.09… 400 IM – 4:32.22… Member of four state championship teams… Team Captain as a senior… 12-Time All-State honors… Six-Time All-County honors… 15-Time All-League honors… All-time leader for points scored at Notre Dame Prep… All-time leader in all-state honors earned… Two-time state championship runner-up in the 100 Fly… Member of the OLY Swimming Club… Three-time NCSA Junior National Qualifier… Four-time MISCA Academic All-State honors… NISCA Academic All-American honors… Graduated magna cum laude.

Personal: Daughter of Carolyn Ciesla… Has one sibling; Frances… Plans to major in finance.

Why Ciesla Chose Butler
"I had a great feeling about Butler after meeting Coach Stewart. The university has a strong reputation for academic and athletic excellence. The team and coaching staff made me feel welcome and I feel supported."
 
Ava Whittaker
5-9
Free / Fly
South Riding, Va.
Freedom H.S.

High School: All-State selection… Team Captain from 2022-2024… Team MVP 2021-2024… Set the school record in the 50 Free (24.1)… Swam a 52.9 in the 100 Free… Finished eighth at the state meet in the 50 Free… Took 12th at the state meet in the 100 Free in 2023… Finished 16th at the state meet in the 50 Free in 2022… Placed fifth at the state meet in the 200 Medley Relay in 2021… Earned four varsity letters… Member of the Machine Aquatics club team… Also part of the dance team at Freedom.

Personal: Daughter of Jim and Stephanie Whittaker… Has a sibling named Daniel… Marketing major.

Why Whittaker Chose Butler
"I chose Butler for the welcoming community surrounding both athletics and academics."