Dec. 3, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The Missouri Tiger men's swimming team has signed two high school standouts to National Letters of Intent, as announced by MU Head Coach Brian Hoffer on Tuesday. Jason Lyons, from Riverside, California and Chris Pontecore, from Long Grove, Illinois will help the team adjust with the upcoming loss of seniors Matt Ferrarelli, Radu Miclaus, Dane Pedersen and Kyle Sanders.

Lyons, a senior at Riverside Poly High School, is an accomplished sprint and middle distance swimmer on the prep level, who Hoffer will use in the middle distance and relays. In 2002 he is a 1st team All-American in both the 100 and 200 freestyles. Lyons is a two-time CIF Division 2 state individual champion in the 200 freestyle and a six-time CIF Division 2 state champion as a member of both the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. He is a member of the Riverside Aquatic association Swim Club, coached by Steve Walker. As a high school he was 11th in the nation (2nd in California) in the 200 freestyle and 27th in the nation (4th in California) in the 100 freestyle. His career best times include 46.03 in the 100 freestyle and 1:39.90 in the 200 freestyle.

Lyons is a member of two CIF Division 2 State Champion Water Polo teams, where he garnered First Team All-American honors in 2001 and Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2000. Lyons was also named the 2002 Riverside Scholar Athlete of the Year for his contributions in the classroom and in the pool. He chose Missouri over Arizona State and Washington.

"Jason is the type of athlete we are looking for in our progress in becoming a top 25 team," said Hoffer. "He's a very hard worker and a great student , who's competitiveness will make us better."

Pontecore, a senior at St. Viotor High School, is a sprint freestylist who will join current freestylers Tyler Belanger and Justin Zeimetz to provide more depth at the 50 and 100 freestyle events. He has been a member of 6 All-American relay teams and has been named All-State eight times. He is a member of the Patriot Aquatic Swim Club, coached by Aaron Witkowski. As a club swimmer he has won nine Illinois state championships in various age groups. Pontecore competed at the 2002 Spring Speedo Championships where he set career bests in both the 50 (21.47) and 100 freestyle (47.60) events. He finished in 8th and 11th place respectively in those events at the Speedo Championships.

Pontecore is also an accomplished student and already has ties to the Missouri swimming team. His sister Laura is currently a freshman at Mizzou and is a member of the women's swimming team.

"Chris is the type of athlete who will get even better once he gets in our program," said Hoffer. "We look forward to getting him here and having him compete on the collegiate level, where we feel his transition will be a smooth and successful one."