Mizzou Swimming Signs Six New Tigers
5/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
May 30, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo.- Four swimmers and two divers have signed with the University of Missouri men's swimming and diving program. Head Coach BRIAN HOFFER announced his 2002 men's recruiting class on Thursday morning. All six athletes are expected to be plugged in immediately and provide quality depth to the Missouri team that finished 4-3 in 2001-02.
Headlining the recruiting class is CHRIS LUKAS, a backstroke/sprint free specialist from Toronto, Ontario. Lukas, who stands 6-3, was the 2002 Canadian Junior National Champion in the 100 freestyle and the runner-up in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. He placed third in the 200 backstroke. He was also a consolation finalist at the Canadian Senior Nationals. Lukas swam for Coach Brent Aquino at Etobicoke Swim Club.
"We're hoping Chris will bring a lot of his national experience to Missouri," said Hoffer. "He is very talented and should make an immediate impact."
The other Missouri signee expected to make an immediate impact is EVAN WATTERS, a diver out San Antonio, Texas. The Mizzou men went through the entire season with only one diver, that being team co-MVP Jamie Sweeney. Watters, the 2002 Texas state champion, will take a lot of pressure off of Sweeney next season. Watters, a graduate of MacArthur High School in San Antonio, finished seventh at the 2002 Indoor Junior National Championships.
"He has great finishes on all of his dives," said Missouri diving coach GREG TRIEFENBACH. "He will continue to get better as he gets physically stronger."
Triefenbach also signed ZACHARY METCALF, a diver out of St. Peters, Mo. Metcalf, who attended St. Dominic High School, has been diving for the Rec Plex club team. He finished in sixth place on the three-meter springboard at the 2002 Indoor Junior Nationals and finished in the top 12 in 2001. Metcalf is also an experienced tower diver, something that will help the Tigers at the Big 12 Championships.
"Zachary is an excellent tower diver who will get better on the springboards as he gets stronger," said Triefenbach.
Missouri signed one of the best swimmers out of the state of New Mexico in DAVID DARMITZEL. Darmitzel is a versatile swimmer who will add depth in the butterfly, breaststroke and individual medley events. He competed for Santa Fe High School and the CSF Seals for Coach Teresa Hamilton. Darmitzel joins his older brother Stephen who will be a junior this season at Missouri.
"David is an extremely bright young man who we expect to contribute right away, particularly in the butterfly," said Hoffer.
Joining Darmitzel in the butterfly is DAN BUHR out of Faribault, Minn. Buhr is a two-time all-state performer at Faribault High School where he holds six school records. Buhr will also provide depth in the sprint free events for Missouri. He was the 2001 Minnesota state champion in the 50 freestyle.
"Dan will fill a void in the butterfly," said Hoffer. "With the graduation of Shane Whildin, Dan provides with more fire power in that event."
Finally, the Tigers added a middle distance swimmer in WADE PENNINGTON. Pennington hails from Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was the runner-up in the 800 freestyle at the 2001 Speedo Championships.
"We're excited to have Wade at Missouri," said Hoffer. "He will add quality depth in the middle distance events."
