Wyoming Swimming and Diving Adds Four More Athletes to Recruiting Class

LARAMIE, Wyoming, May 13. IN addition to the terrific class Wyoming Swimming and Diving signed in the fall, head coach Tom Johnson adds four more athletes to the teams 2010-2011 freshman class on Tuesday. Ethan Griffel (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Narayan Naik (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Jeffrey Frey (Wasilla, Alaska) join the Cowboys, while Mackenzie Norlin (Windsor, Colo.) will join the Cowgirls in the fall.

"This is a super group of young athletes that wraps-up a terrific recruiting class," said Johnson. "We are excited for the 15 athletes that will make up the 2010-2011 freshman class. We are looking forward to an exciting upcoming season for Wyoming Swimming and Diving."

Following is a description of the Cowboy and Cowgirl signees:

Jeff Frey, Sprint Freestyle, Walisa, Alaska (Wasila High School)

Jeff Frey comes to Wyoming as the Alaska High School State Champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyles and was a junior national qualifier in those events as well. Frey was named the 2010 Alaska State Swimmer of the Year voted by the Alaska High School swimming coaches. In the classroom Frey is a USA Swimming Academic All-American and an Alaska Merit Scholar. He also swam as a member of the Northern Lights Swim Club. He is the son of Carolyn and Douglas Frey and intends to study chemical engineering at UW.
"Jeff comes from a terrific swimming program and had tremendous success over the past year," Johnson said. "He has an incredible amount of talent and potential. We really enjoyed him on his visit and we look for him to contribute to our sprinting events and relays."

Ethan Griffel, Freestyle, Butterfly, Backstroke, Idaho Falls, Idaho (Idaho Falls High School)

Over Griffel's high school career he has been a three-time Idaho State Champion in the 200 freestyle and is the state record holder in that event as well. Along with the 200 freestyle, Griffel is a two-time state champion in the 100 freestyle. With his success in those events he earned NISCA All-America. Most recently, Griffel swam to a fourth place finish at the 2010 YMCA National meet in the 200 freestyle and tenth in the 500 freestyle. He is the son of Sally and Dave Griffel and looks to major in nursing or pre-veterinary medicine at Wyoming.

"Ethan is an outstanding young man. He is a very talented middle distance freestyle swimmer who has excellent range and versatility," said Johnson. "He is also very talented in the butterfly and backstroke. Ethan will make an instant impact on all of our relays."

Narayan Naik, Backstroke, IM, Oklahoma City, Okla., (Heritage Hall High School)

Narayan Naik wraps-up the Cowboy recruiting class. Naik was a national qualifier in both the backstroke and IM events while competing at Heritage Hall High School and for the Chesapeake Swim Club. Naik has won the Oklahoma High School State Championship in the 200 IM the past three years and in 2010 won the 100 backstroke as well. He currently holds the Oklahoma High School State record in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, as well as relay records in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. Naik is an outstanding student as well by being named a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, National Honor Society and National Math Honor Society Member. He is the son of Jocelyn and Kam Naik.

"Narayan will be an outstanding addition to the men's team," Johnson said. "Being an IMer, he is very versatile and shows his talent in the butterfly and backstroke as well. He swims for one of the best teams in Oklahoma that has a great tradition of developing national swimmers and NCAA qualifiers. He has very high goals and we really look forward to working with him."

Mackenzie Norlin, Freestyle, IM, Windsor, Colo., (Windsor High School)

Mackenzie Norlin of Windsor, Colo., competes for the Loveland Swim Club and will add her name to the great list of Loveland Swim Club swimmers at the University of Wyoming. She also competed for Windsor High School and has been attending Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo. This past season Norlin was the Colorado High School 4A State Champion in both the 100 freestyle and the 200 IM. Shortly after the high school state meet, she competed at the Speedo Sectional Meet at Texas A&M where she improved on her high school times. Academically, Norlin was named to the Dean's list at Aims Community College and honor roll. She is the daughter of Suzanne and John Norlin and is interested in studying Chemistry at UW.

"Mackenzie is a very versatile athlete and can be competitive in virtually every event and has terrific range," said Johnson. "She will be immensely helpful in all of our relays and I feel her potential is unlimited. She is tall and athletic and comes highly praised by her club and high school coaches."

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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