Ocean Springs Swimming trio heading to the next level

A monumental day at Ocean Springs High School where three swimmers signed National Letters of Intent with the colleges of their dreams as a part of the largest signing day class in program history.

Headlining the three-member class of 2021 is Marshall signee Gabrielle Ivey who has 13 career medals, eight gold, four silver, and one bronze, and holds five state records.

Next is Jeremy Koch signed with Colorado Mesa with five medals to his name, one gold, two silver, and two bronze.

Finally, the daughter of Head Coach Pamela Passarelli, Catherine Passarelli, five-time state finalist with a bronze medal, who is staying in-state to attend Millsaps College in Jackson.

The Greyhound trio couldn’t be heading in more opposite directions geographically, but they’re all after the same thing at the next level. Passarelli said, “It means a lot. I wasn’t planning to swim in college. But it became a fun sport for me. I enjoyed it – eventually. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of early mornings, a lot of my Mom pushing me to get out of bed because I didn’t want to.”

Ivey said, “After watching the movie, actually. And then going and seeing the campus. It was something that fit me instantly. The atmosphere is just absolutely amazing. It’s just something that I felt personally fit me the best. I remember watching it and crying because it was just so good.”

Koch said, “It’s very special. It just shows how all of us have pushed each other throughout the years to be the best people that we can be and the best athletes that we can be and without each other, I don’t think we could be there where we are today.”

Ivey and Koch say they mainly swim freestyle and backstroke mid-distance while Passarelli swims long-distance events.