Missouri Swimming and Diving Signs Nine Newcomers
7/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
July 2, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri swimming and diving program has announced the signing of nine standout athletes that will join the Tigers in the fall. The recent addition to head Coach Brian Hoffer's recruiting class consists of three females and six males ranging from as close as St. Louis, Mo. to Quebec, Canada.
Garrett McCaffrey (Federal Way, Wash.), a junior transfer from the University of Washington, will add depth and experience to a young men's team. At Washington, McCaffrey was a member of the school record holding 200 freestyle relay team. While at Missouri, McCaffrey plans on majoring in journalism.
Hoffer on McCaffrey: "Garrett's two years of Pac-10 experience will greatly help him and our team this year. We have a very young team now and Garrett's experience will help him become a leader for our team."
Bennett Clark (Kirkwood, Mo.) is an all-around athlete that will add assistance in the sprint freestyle events for the Tigers this season. During his senior campaign, Clark was named Kirkwood High School's 'Outstanding Senior Male Athlete.' Clark was the captain of his high school water polo team and basketball team and played volleyball for Kirkwood as well. Clark was named first team all-conference in water polo and second team all-conference in basketball. In his spare time, Clark swims as a member of the Clayton Shaw Park Swim Club.
Hoffer on Clark: "Bennett is a great competitor and has a lot of potential. Once he gets his training focused on swimming as his only sport he will become an even more successful swimmer."
Alex Zasadny (Bonner Springs, Kan.) will provide much needed experience in the butterfly events. Zasadny is a member of the Kansas City Blazers swim club and attended Rockhurst High School.
Hoffer on Zasadny: "Alex comes from a great swim club. With the experience and the competitive spirit he has he will become an outstanding college swimmer and will help us greatly in the fly events."
Lex Howard (East Wenatchee, Wash.) is another addition to the men's team that will help fill the lanes in the butterfly events. Howard is a Junior National qualifier and finalist. He was the captain of the Eastmont High School swim team during his junior and senior seasons. Howard was the Washington State Champion in the 100 backstroke and was runner-up in the 100 butterfly. His time in the 100 butterfly earned him All-America honors.
Hoffer on Howard: "Lex is a very up and coming swimmer. His times have dropped tremendously and once he adapts to college, we expect him to be a force in the Big 12."
David Boyko (Chesterfield, Mo.) will join an already very talented Mizzou diving squad. While a member of the Parkway West High School diving team, Boyko placed 13th at the Missouri state championships in 2002, fourth in 2003 and second on the 1-meter board an the 2004 championship meet. Boyko also placed seventh on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards at the Region V Championships.
Jeff Wolfert (Overland Park, Kan.) is another highly talented diver that will join the Tigers in the fall. Wolfert was a member of the Blue Valley West high school dive team and the Jayhawk Dive Club. In 2002, Wolfert placed second on the 1-meter board at the Kansas state championships. Wolfert went on to place third on the 1-meter board at state in both 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Wolfert placed third on the platform at the Summer Junior Olympic Zone C Championships. Wolfert also placed in the top-15 on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards at the 2003 Junior Olympic Winter Nationals.
Taye Patterson (Val des Monts, Quebec, Canada) possesses the excellent academic and athletic ability that Coach Hoffer was looking for to add to his women's team. Patterson is a member of the Greater Ottawa Kingfish swim club and the Philemon Wright High School swim team. She is currently ranked among the top-25 swimmers in Canada in three events. Patterson is also a Canadian Senior National and Canadian Olympic Trials qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 50 butterfly.
Hoffer on Patterson: "Taye has received excellent national level experience that will really help her out during Big 12 competition. She possesses phenomenal talent and I am expecting her flourish in college."
Katie Gates (The Woodlands, Texas) comes from a swim club that the Missouri coaches have become very familiar with as sophomore Rachel Wender and recent graduate Rebecca Wolfe went through the same club program. Katie was top a five swimmer at the Texas High School state championship.
Hoffer on Gates: "Katie has fantastic speed and is a very consistent racer that will help fill in the loss of Andrea [Nigh]."
Rachel Witt (Northbrook, Ill.) will add depth to an already deep women's diving team. Witt was a member of the Northshore Sharks Diving Club and Glenbrook North High School. In 2002, Witt placed in the top-20 on the 3-meter board at the Junior Olympic Winter Nationals. At the 2004 Junior Olympic Region 5 championships, Witt placed in the top-15 on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. Witt also added an eighth placed finish on the 1-meter board at the 2004 Illinois State Championships.
Players Mentioned
