Mizzou Head Swimming Coach Greg Rhodenbaugh announced the signing of 19 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday. The 19 signees will enroll at the University of Missouri beginning and compete for the Tigers starting in the 2014-15 academic year.
The Tigers’ class consists of nine women and 10 men, including 17 swimmers and two divers. On the women’s side, Mizzou signed swimmers Kylie Dahlgren (Victoria, Minn.), Courtney Evensen (Minneapolis, Minn.), Madeleine Gehrke (Clive, Iowa), Aurore Jacolin (Toulouse, France), Iliana Jones (Casper, Wyo.), Cecelia Kowalski (Phoenix, Ariz), Moriah Ross (Des Moines, Iowa) and Samantha Wilts (El Paso, Texas) and diver Payton Conrad (Omaha, Neb.).
The men’s signees included swimmers Caio Batista (Jacksonville, Fla.), Sam Coffman (Centennial, Colo.), Luke Mankus (Keller, Texas), Jordan O’Brien (Naperville, Ill.), Harry Sale (Spring, Texas), Griffin Schaetzle (Erie, Pa.), Mikel Schreuders (Oranjestad, Aruba), Nick Staver (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Alex Walton (Wilton, Iowa) and diver Kyle Goodwin (Aurora, Colo.).
PAYTON CONRAD | Diving |Omaha, Neb.
High School: Elkhorn South High School
Club: Nebraska Diving Club
· Two-time All-American at Elkhorn South
· Took fourth on platform in the Girls 16-18 at the 2014 USA Diving Summer Junior Zone C Championships, scoring 376.55 points
· Placed second overall on platform in the Girls 16-18 2013 USA Diving Age Group National Championships, tallying 373.10 points
· Claimed third on 1-meter at the Nebraska State Diving Championships as a freshman
Why Payton chose Mizzou:
“From the first time I dove at Mizzou when I was 13, I fell in love with the campus, facilities and the Mizzou atmosphere. It has been a dream of mine since that day to become a Tiger. I cannot wait to be a part of such a prestigious diving program and university next year.”
KYLIE DAHLGREN | IM / Back |Victoria, Minn.
High School: Chanhassen High School
Club: Aquajets Swim Team
· Placed third in the 500 free and fourth in the 200 IM at the 2014 Minnesota Class AA State Championships
· Part of Chanhassen’s state championship 200 medley relay team that set a new Minnesota record by three seconds
· 2013 All-American after swimming on two relays at the Minnesota AA State Championships
· Named a 2013-14 Scholastic All-America
· Has short course best times of 2:00.6 in the 200 back, 2:03.4 in the 200 IM and 4:24.7 in the 400 IM
Why Kylie chose Mizzou:
“I had visited Mizzou once before in 2013 and loved it right away but really wasn’t sure that’s where I wanted to go. Then I went on my recruiting trip and I got to truly experience the campus and the team and coaches and it felt like the right place. It’s kind of cheesy but people say you get a ‘feeling’ and I got the ‘feeling’ at Mizzou. I verbally committed to Mizzou a couple weeks after my trip and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
COURTNEY EVENSEN |Free / Back | Minneapolis, Minn.
High School: Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
Club: Aquajets Swim Team
· Claimed the 200 free title and placed second in the 500 free at the 2014 Minnesota Class AA State Championships
· Won the Minnesota Class AA 500 free state title and finished second in the 200 free in 2013
· Holds four National Age Group Records (11-12 200 and 400 medley relays and the 13-14 200 and 400 free relays)
· Holds short course best times of 1:48.8 in the 200 free, 51.2 in the 100 free and 1:59.2 in the 200 back
Why Courtney chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because I immediately felt at home on the campus, being with the team and conversing with the coaches. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the school and knew that was the best fit for me in a college. I look forward to my college career at Mizzou!”
MADELEINE GEHRKE| Free / Back | Clive, Iowa
High School: Waukee Senior High School
Club: Central Iowa Aquatics
· Named the Co-Swimmer of the Year at the 2014 Iowa State Championships
· Claimed state titles and set new state records in the 100 back and 50 free at the State Championships
· Also won the 50 free Iowa state title in 2012
· Has short course career bests of 22.5 in the 50 free, 51.3 in the 100 free and 54.8 in the 100 back
Why Madeleine chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because I love the way the team and coaches interact with each other, it is truly like one big family. The coaches, team, academics and facilities are amazing. Added to this, the fact that my father went to school at Mizzou, and my grandfather was a professor at the University, I don’t think I could have found a place where I felt more at home. I can’t wait until I can be a Tiger next year!”
AURORE JACOLIN | Sprint Free | Toulouse, France
High School: Lycee Bellevue
Club: Dauphins Toulouse OEC
· Part of France’s sixth-place 400 free relay team at the 2013 World Junior Championships
· Helped France place fifth in the 400 free relay at the 2013 European Junior Championships
· Holds long course career bests of 26.9 in the 50 free, 57.3 in the 100 free and 2:05.5 in the 200 free
Why Aurore chose Mizzou:
“I have chosen Mizzou because I had very good contact with coaches and have the impression that it is a big family that I want to be a part of. Moreover, Mizzou is a very good University, both athletically and academically. The infrastructures (sports and academics) seem very important.”
ILIANA JONES | Sprint Free | Casper, Wyo.
High School: Kelly Walsh High School
Club: Casper Swim Club
· Holds Wyoming state records in the 100 free and 200 free
· Claimed Wyoming Class 4A titles in both the 100 free and 200 free at the 2014 Championships
· Claimed two All-America honors in 2014
· Four-time all-state selection
· Holds top times of 23.3 in the 50 free, 50.3 in the 100 free and 1:51.3 in the 200 free
CECELIA KOWALSKI | Free | Phoenix, Ariz.
High School: Desert Vista High School
Club: North Mesa Aquatics Club
· Won the 2013 Arizona State 200 free crown
· Claims best short course times of 1:50.4 in the 200 free, 4:54.9 in the 500 free and 10:03.3 in the 1000 free
Why Cecelia chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because I was looking for a family-like team. I wanted to be somewhere where I knew that I would be pushed as an athlete as well as a college student. I found that Mizzou was the best option by far for me. The Mizzou swimming and diving team were all very kind and I am very excited to get to know them and become a part of something truly amazing.”
MORIAH ROSS | Breast | Des Moines, Iowa
High School: Homeschooled
Club: Greater Central Iowa Aquatics
· Earned finishes of second (2012 and 2014), third (2013) in the 100 breast at the Iowa State Championships
· Three-time All-State honoree in the 100 breast
· Sister of current Mizzou sophomore Katharine Ross
· Boasts best short course times of 1:04.0 in the 100 breast and 2:16.8 in the 200 breast
Why Moriah chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because I love the campus, it’s just the right size, not too big and not too small. There are lots to do on and off campus, the academics are great, and I love the dorms. The training facilities and the pool are amazing. When I went on my recruiting trip I already felt like I was part of the swim team. The coaches are awesome and my future teammates are wonderful! I can’t wait for next year! Go Mizzou!”
SAMANTHA WILTS | Back / Fly | El Paso, Texas
High School: Franklin High School
Club: Barracuda Aquatics Team
· Named the 2013 TISCA Best Girl Athlete in Swimming
· Has short course best times of 56.6 in the 100 back and 58.5 in the 100 fly
Why Samantha Chose Mizzou:
“I chose the University of Missouri because it is a school that will not only help me be a better athlete, but also a better person. The school is absolutely beautiful and I can easily picture myself walking around campus next year. The coaching staff at Mizzou was very welcoming and seemed to value every single person on the team. The swimmers were extremely kind and accepting. They act like a team and a family. I am very excited to be a Tiger!”
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CAIO BATISTA | Free / Back | Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: The Bolles School
Club: Bolles School Sharks
· Earned 2014 All-America honors in the 500 free
· Boasts best times of 1:40.7 in the 200 free, 4:33.7 in the 500 free and 51.6 in the 100 back
Why Caio Chose Mizzou:
“Mizzou is the place where I know I will be happy. I love the team, the coaches and the atmosphere in general. That is pretty similar to what we have at Bolles, which works really well for me. I believe in the coaches and in the program, and I also believe in the academic side. That is why I chose Mizzou.”
SAM COFFMAN | Sprint Free | Centennial, Colo.
High School: Cherry Creek High School
Club: Greenwood Tigersharks
· Claimed the 2013 Colorado 5A state 100 free title by almost two seconds
· Took 10th in the 200 free at the 2013 Speedo Winter Junior National Championships
· 2013 All-American in the 200 free
· Has best short course times of 45.0 in the 100 free, 1:38.0 in the 200 free and 21.1 in the 50 free
Why Sam chose Mizzou:
“The reasons I chose Mizzou were how impressed I was with the campus, the kindness of the team, the great time I had on my recruiting weekend, the outstanding facilities, and the thought of becoming the best I can as a Mizzou Tiger.”
KYLE GOODWIN | Diving| Aurora, Colo.
High School: Regis Jesuit High School
Club: Mile High Dive Club
· Three-time NISCA All-American
· Has won three consecutive Colorado Class 5A on 1-meter
· His score of 559.25 on 1-meter at the 2014 Colorado State Championships stands as the first-highest score in state history
· Won the 16-18 Boys 3-meter title at the 2014 USA Diving Summer Junior Zone C Championships
· Also claimed wins on both 1-meter and 3-meter at the 2014 USA Diving Junior West National Championships
Why Sam chose Mizzou:
“The reasons I chose Mizzou were how impressed I was with the campus, the kindness of the team, the great time I had on my recruiting weekend, the outstanding facilities, and the thought of becoming the best I can as a Mizzou Tiger.”
LUKE MANKUS | Sprint Free / Fly| Keller, Texas
High School: Keller High School
Club: Metroplex Aquatics
Noteworthy Accolades:
· Placed second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 fly at the 2014 Texas 5A State Championships
· 2014 All-American in the 50 free
· Holds career best times of 20.8 in the 50 free, 49.6 in the 100 fly and 46.2 in the 100 free
Why Luke chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou due to its great academics, fast and motivated swimming and the overall competitive mindset surrounding everything at the school.”
JORDAN O’BRIEN | Breast / IM | Naperville, Ill.
High School: Metea Valley High School
Club: Fox Valley Swim Team
Noteworthy Accolades:
· Claimed the 2014 Illinois State 100 breast title
· Also took fourth in the 200 IM at the 2014 Illinois State Championships
· Earned 2014 All-America honors in the 100 breast
· Has best short course times of 21.6 in the 50 free, 55.5 in the 100 breast and 2:01.7 in the 200 breast
Why Jordan chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because I was very impressed with the team, coaches, and facilities. I feel that it aligns with my goals athletically and academically. I loved the atmosphere and felt that I will be able to contribute great things in the next four years. Go Tigers!”
HARRY SALE | Sprint Free | Spring, Texas
High School: Klein High School
Club: Premier Aquatics of Klein
Noteworthy Accolades:
· Took third in the 200 free at the Texas 5A State Championship
· Boasts career short course best times of 45.7 in the 100 free, 1:38.7 in the 200 free and 21.0 in the 50 free
Why Harry chose Mizzou:
“In the end I felt like Mizzou was a place that I feel I can grow as a swimmer, student and person. It really felt the most like home to me as well.”
GRIFFIN SCHAETZLE | Back / Free | Erie, Pa.
High School: Mercyhurst Prep School
Club: Erie Aquatic Club
· Placed second in the 100 back at the 2014 Pennsylvania AA State Championships
· Three-time state silver medalist
· Earned All-America honors in the 100 back
· Will compete at both the 2014 AT&T Winter National Championships and the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships
· Has best times of 49.8 in the 100 back, 1:48.5 in the 200 back and 1:41.4 in the 200 free
Why Griffin chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because it is a perfect place to grow as a swimmer, student and overall person. The team chemistry and coaching staff provide an excellent atmosphere to succeed in all of my goals. MIZ! ”
MIKEL SCHREUDERS | Sprint Free | Oranjestad, Aruba
High School: Colegio Arubano
Club: Stingray Swimming
· Will compete at the 2014 FINA Short Course World Championships in December
· Competed for Aruba at the 2013 FINA World Junior Swimming Championship in Dubai
· Boasts long course best times of 23.8 in the 50 free and 51.8 in the 100 free
Why Mikel chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou is because I think that it is a great school. I liked all the facilities, especially the Mizzou Aquatic Center. When I was watching the practice I felt that I would train well there. There is only one Mizzou.”
NICK STAVER | Breast / IM | Bettendorf, Iowa
High School: Pleasant Valley High School
Club: Piranhas Swimming Club
· Took second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM at the 2014 Iowa State Championships
· Holds the Pleasant Valley High School 200 IM school record
· Holds career short course bests of 55.6 in the 100 breast, 2:01.6 in the 200 breast and 3:58.2 in the 400 IM
Why Nick chose Mizzou:
“I picked Mizzou because the atmosphere created by the swimmers and coaches was positive and exciting. I felt it was a place where I could excel in the pool and classroom, and have a lot of fun doing it.”
ALEX WALTON | Back / IM | Wilton, Iowa
High School: Wilton High School
Club: Iowa City Eels Swim Club
· Claimed both the 200 IM and 100 back titles at the 2014 Iowa State Championships
· Also won the 100 back at the 2013 Iowa State Championships
· Three-time All-American
· Has career short course bests of 49.7 in the 100 back, 1:46.1 in the 200 back and 1:51.2 in the 200 IM
Why Alex chose Mizzou:
“I chose Mizzou because they get athletes with potential and draw it out to be competitive at a national level. That means more to me than how many national championships a program won 15 years ago. I’m really excited to be a part of a down-to-earth, humble, hardworking team in the future.”
College Swimming News courtesy of Mizzou Swimming and Diving.
Congrats to all Mizzou signees! Welcome to the family!
With all the really good talent in the state of Missouri, you would think MIZZOU could get a couple Missouri residents to sign with them. They never seem to try very hard to get any. They do get some that are walk-ons, who end up helping out.