SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis swimmer Katie McIntee has made a verbal commitment to swim next fall at San Jose State and will sign a National Letter-of-Intent with the Spartans on Nov. 11.

“I chose San Jose State because I really liked the coach and the girls,” said McIntee. “After taking my trip, I felt very comfortable. The girls helped me feel right at home and already part of the team.”

McIntee will join a program coached by Sage Hopkins, who is in his ninth season at the helm. The program recently earned the College Swimming Coaches Association Scholar All-America Award for the sixth consecutive season and the team finished seventh in the last Mountain West Conference after winning back-to-back title in the WAC in 2012 and 2013.

“I am interested in the nursing and business majors,” said McIntee. “San Jose State has one of the best business programs in the West coast. With swimming, it was important to choose a school that would provide the major of my choice.”

She is excited about the opportunity to continue her career in the pool.

“What is going to be the most fun is competing for a collegiate team and swimming not only for myself but for my coach, teammates and San Jose State,” said McIntee, who also was attracted to Spartans as an all-women’s team that “adds to the sisterly bond like St. Francis”.

The close proximity of the program to her home in Sacramento was a major point for her in considering her options.

“I knew I wanted to stay in California because I am a homebody,” said McIntee. “I love my family and they have provided so many opportunities for me throughout my high school and year-round swimming career. I wanted to stay close to them and be able to come home.”

McIntee, who also swims for DART at Arden Hills under coach Brian Nabeta, has been pointing towards the goal of collegiate swimming since developing a love for the sport just before high school.

“I started year round swimming after my eighth grade year,” said McIntee. “As I developed as a swimmer, I knew I wanted to train all four years for college going into my sophomore year.”

McIntee, who is from Sacramento, plans to concentrate on the sprint and middle distance freestyle events. She was a double-event qualifier at the Sac-Joaquin Section meet in 2015, finishing fifth in the 100 free (53.00) and third in the 200 free consolation final (1:53.64).

 “It has meant a lot to me to be part of the St. Francis program,” said McIntee. “My aunt went to St. Francis. Swimming has been so fun and being coached by Richard (Levin). We have a lot of fun during the high school season. I have been a captain and it has been fun to compete with my friends under the St. Francis logo.”

The team finished fourth at the section meet and captured the Delta League team championship last season as McIntee was named one of four most valuable swimmers for the varsity unit.

“That meant everything,” said McIntee about the league title. “I feel like everyone contributed, worked and practiced hard. To know we all could come together as a team to pull together the win was great.”

With her college choice behind her, McIntee still has a strong desire to reach for the wall in the classroom and in the pool.

“Academically, I want to finish strong and keep my grades up,” said McIntee. “In swimming I want to have a really strong and fast year. Hopefully Sac-Joaquin Sections will be really fun with the chance to compete as a senior while swimming fast and getting one more chance to compete for St. Francis. Helping us pull together a big win would be great.”

While she would love to swim in the CIF State championships, she is focused on the team goals.

“I hope my last year swimming for St. Francis is the best yet,” said McIntee.