Sept. 18, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Faced with the challenge of guiding a team that has more freshman than the combined total of juniors and seniors, few college coaches in any sport would be excited. Even fewer would go so far as to say that the team has undergone a vast improvement thanks to its massive youth movement. Missouri head coach Brian Hoffer, however, is one that does.
"We're young, but we've filled a lot of holes across the board," he said. "We may not necessarily win every event, but most certainly won't be held out of the top-two in every event. Our 13 new guys give us better depth than we've ever had before."
Depth means nothing, though, without an experienced veteran presence, and Hoffer is quick to note the importance of the Tigers' 2005-06 senior class. Seniors David Darmitzel and Wade Pennington lead the team as co-captains, and they are surrounded by a group of classmates that includes Mizzou all-time top-five backstrokers Chris Lukas and Garrett McCaffrey and NCAA qualifier and top-five all-time diver Evan Watters.
"Our seniors are the guys I'm looking at to lead this young team," Hoffer said. "Those guys have matured and developed in our program, and they are a key to our success this season."
Top-five all-time sophomores Lex Howard (200 fly), Bennett Clark (100 free) and Brandon Lee (400 IM) are also returning to bolster the Mizzou attack.
At the other end of the collegiate experience continuum are the team's 13 freshman, and Hoffer is quick to realize that one key to a second consecutive winning season is contribution from his newcomers. South African sprinter Bryan Difford and Israeli Gilad Kaufman bring a combination of experience and speed to the Tigers' lineup and will be counted on to contribute right away.
"Bryan and Gilad are our top two guys from that class because of their times and their experience on the international level," Hoffer said. "They aren't seasoned for the dual meets, though, and that's where our high school guys are going to come into play. All of them are going to have to do well this year or we won't be as successful as we can be."
Sprint Free
The loss of three-time NCAA qualifier and all-time Mizzou top-five sprinter Chris McCrary left a huge void in the Tigers' sprint free attack and caused the events to be the team's most wide open. Clark is the clear leader of the group after a successful freshman year that saw him earn Rookie of the Year honors. Difford and Kaufman will be looked upon for production in this area, as will senior Dan Buhr, who has prior experience in the sprints. Lukas, McCaffrey and freshmen Matt Dahlke and Brad Hubbard provide Hoffer with other options.
Mid-Free
At a spot that lacks veteran experience, three newcomers will shoulder the majority of the load in the mid-free this season. Newcomers Jake Hoffmann, Dahlke and Hubbard are the headliners at this spot, and Hoffer is quick to point out that all three can contribute right away. Lee can be used in this area if needed, as can sophomore Alex Zasadny, and Pennington adds versatility to the corps.
Distance Free
Lee, whom Hoffer notes had an outstanding summer training period, is the clear-cut leader for Mizzou in the distance free events. Sophomore Thomas Baumann, a converted butterflier, is evolving into a solid distance option for the Tigers. Sophomore Justin Sellers had success in the 1000 free last season and will return in that role in '05-06.
Back
With Lukas and McCaffrey, the Tigers have a pair of seniors that are both top-five in school history and could prove to be one of the most formidable backstroke duos in the conference this season. Hoffer plans to add sophomore Floyd into the mix at back to make these events the strongest facet of the Mizzou attack. Sophomore Joe Wilson, last year's Most Improved swimmer, and freshmen Hoffman and Byron Carlisle add depth to the Tiger backstroke squad.
Breast
Another wide open spot in the Tiger plans is the breaststroke. Junior Nate Zabel is the lone upperclassmen with significant experience. Hoffer plans to use a committee of swimmers in the breast, including freshmen Ted Harris, Danny Harty and Andrew Mondul. Hoffer is quick to point out that, despite the lack of experience in the stroke, the Tigers are blessed with good depth.
Fly
While the Tigers, according to Hoffer, don't have an easily identifiable difference maker in the fly, the group is solid from top to bottom, Howard is top-five all-time after just one year of competition and Kaufman's times have converted at the school record, and that duo will assume the top spots for Mizzou in '05-06. Difford also has the potential to contribute in the fly because of his natural speed in sprint events. Baumann, Sellers, Zasadny and freshman Eric Smith will provide options and Darmitzel can fill in if necessary.
IM
Darmitzel is the unquestioned leader of the Mizzou IM squad, holding a top-five all-time mark in the 400. Lee is another top-five all-time performer in the 400 IM and will team with Darmitzel to give the Tigers a formidable one-two combination. Freshmen Bobby Sundvoold, Hoffmann and Difford afford Hoffer multiple options in these events.
Diving
The Tiger divers enter the year a depleted squad, but with NCAA qualifier Evan Watters, one of the top divers in the Big 12 Conference, back for a final year in the black and gold. Watters is joined by sophomores David Boyko and Nik Roetemeyer, a Columbia native. Hoffer is confident that the Tigers will be able to count on the divers to help spur the way to victory in dual meets this season.