KIRKSVILLE – – Truman State University head men’s and women’s swimming coach Ed Pretre has announced the signing of 10 total student-athletes – six men and four women – to join the Bulldog program beginning in the 2015-16 season.
The fourth-year head coach has added Emma Barnett (Barrington, Ill.), Shannon Dague (Ingleside, Ill.), Laney Klar (San Antonio, Texas), Megan Zindel (Moweaqua, Ill.), Austin Baker (Lincoln, Neb.), Barry Chang (Kansas City, Mo.), Caleb Kruse (Omaha, Neb.), Sam Heveroh (St. Louis, Mo.), Ben Sherman (St. Charles, Ill.), and Johnathan Thayer (St. Charles, Mo.) for the upcoming season, which will be the third full season under the Great Lakes Valley Conference banner for both programs.
“This is another great incoming recruiting class, and we are extremely excited to have this group join us next year,” Pretre said. “On the men’s side, our primary focus was sprint and freestyle events, while on the women’s side, we added versatile depth in the distance events.”
Emma Barnett – Barrington, Ill. (Barrington HS) – Freestyle, Backstroke
Top Times: 100 Free (52.33), 200 Free (1:54.66), 500 Free (4:59.12), 1000 Free (10:16.65), 1650 Free (17:10.93), 200 Back (2:04.41)
Pretre about Barnett: “Emma will bring much-needed versatility to our mid-distance and distance events at Truman. She is a hard worker both in and out of the pool, and we are looking forward to her helping us reach our team goals.”
Shannon Dague – Ingleside, Ill. (Grant Community HS) – Freestyle, Breaststroke
Top Times: 500 Free (5:11.88), 1000 Free (10:29.95), 1650 Free (17:31.47), 200 Breast (2:27.87)
Pretre about Dague: “Shannon was our last recruit to sign with us. She has improved a great deal this past season and will add solid depth to help our distance group for years to come.”
Laney Klar – San Antonio, Texas (John Marshall HS) – Butterfly, Backstroke
Top Times: 100 Back (58.06), 200 Back (2:05.57), 100 Fly (57.37), 200 Fly (2:08.52)
Pretre about Klar: “Laney has the potential to be an outstanding underwater kicker, and she will provide us with great depth in the backstroke and butterfly events. On her recruiting trip, she clicked with the team instantly, and we are very excited to have her for the next four seasons!”
Megan Zindel – Moweaqua, Ill. (Central A&M HS) – Breaststroke, Butterfly
Top Times: 100 Breast (1:06.01), 100 Fly (58.69), 200 Fly (2:13.18)
Pretre about Zindel: “Megan is an extremely hard worker who gives us much needed depth in the breastroke and butterfly events. The coaching staff feels once she adapts to our training at Truman, she will take off to another level of success.”
Austin Baker – Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln East HS) – Sprint Freestyle
Top Times: 50 Free (21.35), 100 Free (47.28), 200 Free (1:46.32)
Pretre about Baker: “Austin joins our team as a solid sprinter. We are excited to add a base to his training so we can really see him emerge in events he doesn’t normally focus on as well as continue to drop time in his primary events.”
Barry Chang – Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill HS) – Butterfly, Individual Medley
Top Times: 100 Fly (50.75), 200 Fly (1:55.83), 200 IM (1:55.34), 400 IM (4:09.56)
Pretre about Chang: “Barry had a very solid high school career, and we are looking forward to him helping us with our fly depth for the next several years. He has the potential to be a top-eight scorer in his three main events at our GLVC Championships.”
Caleb Kruse – Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS) – Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly
Top Times: 50 Free (21.32), 100 Free (46.85), 100 Back (51.20), 100 Fly (50.86)
Pretre about Kruse: “Caleb had an incredible senior year, and we’re excited for him to bring that momentum into his freshman year at Truman. He already has a list of events to pick from, but I think you’ll see that list grow next year. It will be fun to see where he really excels as the season unfolds.”
Sam Heveroh – St. Louis, Mo. (Oakville HS) – Freestyle, Breaststroke
Top Times: 50 Free (21.49), 100 Free (46.65), 200 Free (1:42.89), 100 Breast (58.18), 200 Breast (2:07.39), 200 IM (1:56.08)
Pretre about Heveroh: “Sam is probably our most versatile freshman, as he can help us in the sprint events as well as in both the breaststroke and 200 IM. He has a good understanding of what he needs to do to improve, and his drive and determination are going to be a huge part of his success.”
Ben Sherman – St. Charles, Ill. (Saint Charles North HS) – Freestyle
Top Times: 50 Free (22.03), 100 Free (47.89), 200 Free (1:46.33)
Pretre about Sherman: “Ben will add depth to our sprint group and will compete for sprint relay spots right away. He is another one that clicked with the team right away, and we are looking forward to watching him grow in and out of the pool.”
Johnathan Thayer – St. Charles, Mo. (Chaminade Prep HS) – Freestyle
Top Times: 100 Free (47.63), 200 Free (1:42.02), 500 Free (4:39.79), 1000 Free (9:38.27), 1650 Free (16:16.93)
Pretre about Thayer: “JT had an outstanding senior year and hasn’t even touched his potential yet. He gives us much needed depth in all of the freestyle events and with his great positive attitude, he will help the men’s team reach another level.”
The 2015-16 incoming class of Bulldogs will help to replace a four-member senior class from a year ago, which included Abby Hempen, Etienne Thro, Andrew Tuisl, and Lars Winkelmolen.
Swimming news courtesy of Truman State Swimming and Diving.
Way to go Truman! Watch out DII, Truman’s coming back!