M-W senior Taylor Stalnaker signs national letter of intent to attend Rider University

CENTRAL VALLEY — Monroe-Woodbury High School Senior Taylor Stalnaker recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and swim for Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Stalnaker committed to her college surrounded by her parents, Coach Justin Wright, Athletic Director Ron Montalto and High School Principal David Bernsley.

Stalnaker will attend Rider University, a Division I school, next fall where she will receive full athletic scholarship and plans to study pre-law.

“When I visited Rider, the entire swim team was there to meet me at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning,” Stalnaker said. “That’s the kind of team commitment I have seen at Monroe-Woodbury, and it is what I was looking for in a college.”

'The Swimmer of the Year'
Stalnaker was recently named the Times Herald-Record’s Varsity845’s "Swimmer of the Year. "

As team captain the past three years, Stalnaker has led the Crusaders to three straight Section 9 team championships.

She placed third in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2014 state meet.

She also holds several pool and school swimming records, including being part of the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay.

“Taylor has been an instrumental part of the success of our swimming program over the past several years," Wright said. "I am very happy for her and her family and wish them all the best as Taylor heads off to Rider. They are getting a terrific swimmer."

Stalnaker credits her parents Carmen and Peter and sister Shelby for encouraging and supporting her, as well as Wright and Aqua Gems Swim Club coaches Kevin Carney and Eric Hutzelmann, who have played an integral role in her growth as a swimmer.

Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement between the prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution.

The National Letter of Intent Program has many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institutions.

According to the NLI web site, by signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year.

Participating institutions also agree to provide athletics financial aid to the student-athlete, provided he/she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules.