Mercer Island girls swim captain Caitlin Cox signed a national letter of intent to attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Cox was among 13 swimmers and one diver to sign letters of intent with Cal Poly, Mustang head coach Tom Milich and Cal Poly director of athletics Don Oberhelman announced Tuesday, Nov. 26.

“She’ll definitely help us significantly,” Milich said in a press release. “Between she and [fellow recruit] Breanna Tran, they definitely add depth in the backstroke, and both of them can help us in the medley relays.”

Cox, a MIHS senior, recently helped lead Mercer Island to its fifth consecutive Washington 3A state championship. She was third individually in the 100-yard backstroke, coming in at 57.36 seconds, and seventh in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:56.71.

Also an academic All-American for the Islanders, Cox was a recipient of a King County Scholar-Athlete award this year. She has also volunteered for Special Olympics, and has participated in VOICE (Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere) and Swim Across America, a program that raises money to fund cancer research.