Texas Signs Five Preps

AUSTIN, Texas, November 29. UNIVERSITY of Texas head men's swimming coach Eddie Reese and head diving coach Matt Scoggin announced Monday the signing of five prep standouts to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 academic year. The five student-athletes will enroll at UT in the fall of 2007.

Signing on with the Longhorns are diver Matthew Cardell (Colleyville, Texas/Colleyville Heritage HS) and swimmers Matthew Donch (Raleigh, N.C./Knightdale); Jonathan Jackson (College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated); Austin Stahley (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) and Brian Wilson (Short Hills, N.J./Pingry HS).

"All of these guys will play an important part in our success next year and the rest of their careers," Reese said. "We're excited about their decisions to become Longhorns."

Cardell, the captain of his high school team, placed sixth at the 2006 Texas UIL state meet and also took sixth place at the 2006 West Junior National Championships.

"I have been fortunate to coach Matt at our summer camps, and he represents exactly what any college coach in the country looks for," Scoggin said. "He is an excellent student and a very talented diver. Matt is very coachable because he makes corrections easily, works hard and remains humble. Matt will join the team and immediately play a significant role."

Donch, a 2006 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) All-American in the 50- and 100-freestyle events, is a three-time North Carolina state high school champion and most recently won state championships in the 50- and 100-freestyle events. Donch also claims a U.S. Olympic trial-qualifying time of 55.56 in the 100-meter butterfly.

"As a junior, he was one of the top five swimmers in his strongest three events," Reese said. "This season will see him emerge as one of the fastest seniors in the country in the fly and sprint frees."

Jackson, a member of the Aggie Swimming Club, is a NISCA All-American in the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. He placed fourth in the 100 freestyle and seventh in the 100 backstroke at the 2006 Texas UIL Class 5A meet.

"Jonathan is one of the best freestylers I have seen this season," Reese said. "He has a very smooth stroke, and he still has his best swimming in front of him."

Stahley, a NISCA All-American in the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley, is the reigning champion in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke at the Central Coast Sectional Championships in California.

"Austin was one of the best individual medley swimmers as a junior, and he will be very difficult to beat this year," Reese said. "He is an unusual IM swimmer in that his backstroke and breaststroke are excellent."

Wilson, a 10-time NISCA All-American and five-time state champion, was the men's high-point winner at the 2006 NISCA Short Course Junior Nationals. Wilson captured the 200 IM (1:50.13) at the event and placed among the top eight finishers in seven events. Wilson claimed two individual titles (100 and 200 butterfly) at the 2005 YMCA National Short Course Championships and qualified for the U.S. Senior National Championships in the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 200 individual medley. He holds national independent school records in the 50-meter freestyle (23.53) and the 100-meter butterfly (56.59).

"Brian can help us in any stroke and in the individual medley," Reese said. "He will help our relays in any stroke in which we need him."

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