May 10, 2000
The University of Missouri men's swim coach Brian Hoffer announced the signings of five talented high school swimmers following the spring signing period. The Tigers inked backstroke standout Chris Tingley from Louisville, Ky., Tyler Belanger of Zion Benton Township High School in Zion, Ill., Stephen Darmitzel of Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, N.M., Brady Knippenberg of Naperville Central in Naperville, Ill. and Eric Sullins from Oklahoma City.
Tingley, a backstroke and middle distance specialist, concluded his senior year at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. A mult-time junior national finalist, Tingley is one of the best incoming freshman Hoffer has signed in the past eight seasons. At the 2000 spring junior national championships, he finished third in the 200 backstroke. Tingley is interested in studying business.
"Chris will compliment Matt Ferrarelli and Andy Cole in the backstroke events very well," stated Hoffer. "He provides us with more speed for the first leg of the 200 medley relay immediately. We have never had anyone this fast out of high school come to Missouri in my career at MU."
Belanger, a Zion, Illinois native, finished in the top three in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events at the Illinois State High School meet this past February. He is both a junior national qualifier as well as a YMCA national qualifier. The sprinter competes for Lake Forest Swim Club outside of the high school season where he has been successful as well. His academic interest is also in the business field.
"We are looking forward to getting Tyler into the weight room to push him to the next level," Hoffer said. "He is a great talent. Tyler is one of the top sprinters coming out of the state of Illinois this year."
Darmitzel, a breaststroke and individual medley specialist, is a five-time state champion in the state of New Mexico. He is a junior national qualifier who has held more than 15 state age group records during his career. Darmitzel is also very strong academically. He has a 3.8 GPA and is interested in pre-dentistry.
"Stephen is the best swimmer to come out of New Mexico," Hoffer stated. "I am looking forward to seeing him compete in the Big 12 Conference. He will impact our dual meet line-up from the start."
Knippenberg is a distance freestyle specialist who immediately provides the Tigers with some depth in that area. He was a state finalist in the 500 free at the 2000 Illinois State High School meet despite suffering from mono. He is a junior national qualifier in the 1500-meter freestyle as well as a YMCA national qualifier in four events. Knippenberg is graduating with a 3.9 GPA and intends to study engineering.
"Brady will relieve some of the distance free pressure off of Dane Pedersen this next year," said Hoffer. "He provides us with new options at both the conference and dual meet levels."
Sullins is another distance freestyler who will come right in and help out the Tigers. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is graduating with a 3.9 GPA. He was named a Who's Who in American High School Students on two different occasions.
"Eric is a great addition to our distance free group," Hoffer said. "He is another person we can count on in the dual meets."