MU Swimming to Unveil 1998-99 Squad
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
"This meet gives the coaches a chance to see some early season swims and evaluate the teams before the Big 12 Invite on Oct. 23," Head Coach Brian Hoffer said. "It is also a chance for the freshmen to respond to a meet environment."
The women's squad, fresh off of a 6-2 dual season in 1997-98, return most of last year's nucleus. Heading the list is junior Tawney Larm, the school record-holder in both the 200 and 400 individual medley, as well as the 200 breaststroke. Larm has eclipsed both individual medley records each of her first two seasons. Chances are that both records are jeopardy again this season.
Sophomore Jeanna Willi was a stand out as a freshman last year after reaching the finals in both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly at last year's Big 12 Championships. Fellow soph Kim Lambert also opened some eyes at the conference championships last year and is already showing signs of brilliance in early training.
Junior Cristina Souza has established herself as one of the more dangerous swimmers in the Big 12 over the last two seasons in both the mid-free events as well as the butterfly. Junior Rikki Janes, the school record-holder in the 200 backstroke, also returns to the Tiger lineup this year. Janes didn't dazzle the competition last year as she did during her freshman campaign. If she is back this season, she will be one of the elite swimmers in the Big 12 Conference.
And then there are the newcomers. Remember these names: Katie Fields, Molly Vetter, Tara Brooks and Krista Davis. If the Tigers break into the nation's top 25 this season, more than likely, these four names may be the reason why. There is no question that this year's freshmen class is the most talented class that head coach Brian Hoffer has assembled to date.
The men's team enjoyed a 5-3 dual season last year in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Now that the team has been together for a year, Hoffer is hoping to see results, despite a very tough 1998-99 schedule.
Headlining the men's team is sophomore Mike Tucker, an NCAA qualifier in the breaststroke last season. Tucker placed in the top three in both breaststroke events at the Big 12 Championships last year and crushed both the 100 and 200 school breaststroke records.
The men's team will have strong leadership from several talented seniors this season. Chris Peters owns the school-record in the 200 backstroke and has been a conference finalist every year of his career. Mike Miller is the school's all-time top butterfly swimmer and just missed a trip to the NCAA Championships last season. Ryan Ruddy is the former school record-holder in both breaststroke events. Ruddy is coming off of a career year that may have gone unnoticed due to the success of Tucker. Craig Koenig is one of the school's all-time best distance swimmers and has proven to be a force in the Big 12 Conference.
The Tiger men will also introduce talented freshmen Andy Cole and Shane Whildin this Friday night. Both swimmers should make an impact in the backstroke and sprint free respectively.
