Saint Patrick High School senior James Ridgeway signed a National Letter of Intent to swim on a scholarship next season at the University of Michigan on November 8, 2006. Ridgeway, who hails from St. Edward parish, will join head coach Bob Bowman and the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan after completing his career as the most accomplished swimmer in Saint Patrick history.

Over his first three years at Saint Patrick, Ridgeway has put together an impressive resume. Last year, Ridgeway won the IHSA State Championship in the 100 Meter Breaststroke and finished fifth in the state in the 200 Meter Individual Medley. He was a member of Saint Patrick’s 200 Meter Medley Relay Team that qualified for the IHSA State Finals last year, and as a freshman, he was part of the Shamrocks’ 200 Meter Medley Relay that placed seventh in the state. Ridgeway has won five IHSA Sectional Championships and four Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference Championships. He was named First Team All-State last year. Ridgeway has twice been selected First Team All-Sectional and First Team All-Conference.

In addition to his swimming accomplishments, Ridgeway is one of the top water polo players in the state. Ridgeway is a three-time All-State choice (3rd Team - 2004, Honorable Mention - 2005, 2nd Team - 2006), and a three-time All-Sectional honoree (1st Team - 2004, Honorable Mention - 2005, 1st Team - 2006) for water polo. Ridgeway was also named First Team All-Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference in water polo in both 2004 and 2006.

Ridgeway joins a program with a long history of success in the Big Ten Conference. The Michigan Wolverines have won 11 NCAA National Championships as a team in Swimming & Diving, while having 156 individuals and relay teams capture national titles.