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143 H annah Burvill came to the United States for opportunity. at prospect brought her to the University of Iowa from Pyrford, Great Britain, where she is a freshman on the women's swimming and diving team. Burvill expects to make an immediate impact for the Hawkeyes in the freestyle, individual medley, and backstroke. "She comes in with fast times," said Iowa head coach Marc Long. "Her times converted (from meters to yards) put her right up there in the Big Ten and NCAAs." Burvill's top time in the 200-yard freestyle (1:45.00) is more than three seconds faster than anyone on the Iowa roster last season. e time would have been the fourth-best in the event at last season's Big Ten Championships. On top of that, Burvill's 50 free (22.60), 100 free (48.42), and 500 free (4:53.32) times would have led the team a season ago. "Hannah's demeanor and approach fit well," said Long. "From a racing perspective, she'll have a tremendous impact. It has yet to be written, but we anticipate her having an impact, not only on the team, but at the Big Ten and NCAA level." Burvill's ascension as a top-level swimmer began at the age of 4 when her parents signed her up for lessons at a teaching pool. A club coach took notice, approached her family, and offered a tryout. By 9 she began swimming competitively, and over the past nine years, she has turned herself into a United Kingdom national medalist. Burvill was a three-time medalist in the 100-meter freestyle, winning gold in 2011. Burvill also medaled in the 200-meter free (bronze, 2011), 50-meter butterfly (bronze, 2015), and as part of 400-meter medley relay (gold, 2015). "(e international experience) helps a lot because I can control my nerves when I am racing here," said Burvill. "I have raced with the Southeast Team in England, Barcelona, and Geneva. I have a good base for competing here. It isn't as daunting as I thought it would be." Burvill learned of the University of Iowa through a team manager at her home club. e manager's son — Stewart Carroll — swam for the Hawkeyes from 1989-92, where he earned All-America honors in 1990 and 1991 in the 800-yard freestyle relay. "She highly recommended it," said Burvill. e recruiting process started with an email to Long and it progressed quickly. Technology played a major role in the recruitment and it eventually sold her on the UI. "I Skyped the coaches and they gave me a tour around the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center," said Burvill. "ey walked around pool side, showed me the athletic training room, and the gym side of everything. It was all impressive. "e opportunities here are incredible. I always wanted to come to America, and so far I am liking what I have chosen to do." ere were butterflies when Burvill took the blocks at her first collegiate meet. "I was fairly nervous because of all the hard training (we had done)," she said. "You don't know how you're going to swim. I try to go in calm and treat it like any normal swim. It went well; the team did well."