Missouri Lands 10 Blue-Chippers for the Women’s Team

COLUMBIA, Mo., November 30. THE University of Missouri women's swimming program has signed 10 highly-regarded student-athletes to attend and compete for the University, Head Swimming Coach Brian Hoffer announced.

The stellar class is highlighted by local standout Carly Sullivan of Columbia, Mo., and Kendra Melynchuk, a Canadian Junior Olympic national champion diver from Saskatchewan.

"This class of 2005 is the most talented class in our long history," said Hoffer, who is in his 13th year at Mizzou. "The quality of these student-athletes is outstanding, and I fully expect this class to push our program to a national level that has not been seen here. Our flexibility in a dual meet lineup will cause a lot of problems for opposing teams," he said.

Sullivan, who competes locally for the Columbia Swim Club and coach Phil Garverick, has excelled in both middle and distance freestyle events. Her best times in various events include 5:00.58 (500 freestyle), 10:14.97 (1,000 freestyle) and 17:12.31 (1,650 freestyle). She also has a personal best time of 57.22 in the 100 butterfly.

"Carly has impressed everyone locally for years, and we feel that she will be recognized on the national scene soon," said Hoffer. "Carly is very driven and is a fantastic racer in the middle distance and distance events," he said.

Another standout performer soon to become a Tiger is Melynchuk, who competes for the Saskatoon Diving Club and coach Joselynne Orosz. Melynchuk is a record-holding diver in her province of Saskatchewan and is a Canadian Junior Olympic national champion and a multiple-time member of the Canadian Junior Olympic National Team. She finished among her country's top-10 in the 2004 Olympic Trials, as well.

"Kendra is one of the top-three diving recruits in North America," said MU Diving Coach Greg Triefenbach. "Her ability on all three boards will make her a force not only in the Big 12 but at the NCAA level, as well. Kendra combines the perfect mix of athletic ability, personality and academics," he said.

Following is a listing of the entire women's class of 2005:

Lori Halvorson: 5'11''/ Tulsa, OK (Swim Tulsa)
-200 IM…..2:06.75
-400 IM…..4:24.86
-100 Free……51.91
-200 Free…1:51.61
-100 Back……57.56
-200 Back….2:03.31

HOFFER QUOTE -"Lori brings our program great versatility as well as high level of athletic ability. Her commitment to the sport as well as her outstanding academics will be welcomed."

Jill Granger: 5'8''/ Midland, TX (City of Midland, Ted Carson)
-1,650 Free…16:41.65
-500 Free……..4:52.97
-1,000 Free…10:09.98
-200 Free……..1:52.61
-400 IM……….4:23.65
-200 Fly………..2:04.99

HOFFER QUOTE -"Jill is the best distance swimmer we have ever brought in. Her work ethic will help push those around her to a higher level of success. Jill is going to make an immediate impact in the Big 12 Conference."

Lauren Cox: 5'9''/ Scottsdale, AZ (Scottsdale Aquatic Club, Jerry Olszewski)
-50 Free………23.77
-100 Free…….50.90
-200 Free….1:52.93
-500 Free….4:59.86
-100 Back…….58.66
-200 Back….2:04.69

HOFFER QUOTE -"Lauren is one of the top sprinters this year from Arizona, not to mention one of the nation's elite seniors. We feel that she will contribute in numerous events and relays."

Carly Sullivan: 5'8''/ Columbia, MO (Columbia Swim Club, Phil Garverick)
-1,650 Free…17:12.31
-1,000 Free….10:14.97
-500 Free……..5:00.58
-100 Fly…………..57.22

HOFFER QUOTE -"Carly has impressed everyone locally for years and we feel that she will be recognized on the national scene soon. Carly is very driven and a fantastic racer in the middle and distance events."

Allie Bennett: 5'8''/ Toronto, Canada (North York Aquatic Club, Murray Drudge)
-50 Free……….24.01
-100 Free……..51.34
-200 Free…..1:52.58
-100 Fly………..57.55
-100 Back……..58.56

HOFFER QUOTE -"Allie brings a great energy to our sprint squad. Her national competition experience will be extremely valuable to her in her first season swimming in the Big XII."

Kayla Bowcutt: 5'9''/ Clive, IA (Des Moines Swimming Fed., Kelly Nardell)
-100 Breast……1:05.77
-200 Breast……2:22.10

HOFFER QUOTE -"Kayla combines outstanding speed and endurance in the breastroke. She's an up and coming talent out of Iowa and I expect her to have a breakout season next year."

Aimee Hukill: 5'10''/ Millbrook, AL (Montgomery YMCA, Chris Snyder)
-100 Breast……1:07.63
-200 Breast……2:22.34

HOFFER QUOTE -"Aimee has improved drastically this past year and we'll look for her to continue that trend during her four years here at Mizzou."

Caroline Bellis: 5'7''/ Reston, VA (Curl-Burke, John Flanagan)
-100 Fly…………..57.63
-200 Fly………..2:05.09
-100 Free…………53.01
-200 Free………1:53.09

HOFFER QUOTE -"Caroline helps us replace two of our seniors and I believe she will make an immediate impact on our team."

Kirsten David: 5'8''/ Spring, TX (Klein Aquatics, Brian Greeney)
-200 Free………1:53.98
-500 Free………4:59.24
-100 Fly……………59.55

HOFFER QUOTE -"Kirsten will provide our program with that all out, 100% attitude that I'm looking for. She'll step next season as a solid force in both the 200 and 500 Freestyles."

Kendra Melynchuk: Saskatchewan, Canada (Saskatoon Diving, Joselynne Orosz)
-Multiple Junior Olympic National Team Member
-Canadian Junior Olympic National Champion
-Saskatchewan Record Holder
-2004 Olympic Trial top 10 finisher

Greg Triefenbach QUOTE -"Kendra is one of the top 3 diving recruits in North America. Her ability on all three boards will make her a force not only in the Big 12 but at the NCAA level. Kendra combines the perfect mix of athletic ability, personality and academics."

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