Mizzou Announces Seven Signees for 2008-09 Squad
12/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Dec. 7, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri swimming and diving staff announced, Friday, that five swimmers and two divers have signed national letters of intent to join the program beginning in 2008-09. The seven signees, only one of whom hails from the Show-Me State, will further the Tigers' current depth, which has helped them achieve a No. 18 ranking in the latest College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Top 25 Poll.
"I am very pleased that these women decided to join our Tiger family," said MU Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "Their personalities, work ethic and academic success will push our women's team higher into the national rankings. The team and staff did a great job in recruiting one of the best classes in our history."
LISA NATHANSON, Free, West Des Moines, Iowa
Swam club for Kelly Nordell of the West Des Moines Swim Federation ... boasts lifetime bests of 23.33 in the 50 free, 51.15 in the 100 free and 1:53.98 in the 200 free ... 100 free mark ranks in the Mizzou top-five all-time, while her 50 free clocking is of top-10 all-time caliber ... an eight-time state champion ... holds state records in the 100 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay ... led off the 200 free relay squad that clocked the third fastest time in U.S. female high school history ... took 11th at Junior Nationals in the 50 free ... Senior National qualifier in the 50 free ... National Merit Semifinalist ... member of National Honor Society.
Hoffer on Nathanson: Lisa is the most explosive sprint freestyler we ever brought into the program. She is a proven winner in the state of Iowa and at the national level. Her commitment to her academics and to the sport of swimming will allow her to make an immediate impact to Mizzou Swimming and Diving the day she walks on campus.
JORDAN MORCOM, Diving, Grapevine, Texas
Dove for Coach Jeff Bro of the GC Diving Club ... 2007 Junior Olympic National Finalist on the 1- and 3-meter boards ... 2007 Summer West National Runner-up on both boards ... 2006 Senior National Qualifier in 1- and 3-meter diving competition ... 2006 Junior Olympic National Finalist on both boards.
Head Diving Coach Jamie Sweeney on Morcom: "We could not be more excited about Jordan signing with Mizzou. She is definitely one of those athletes who will help take our program to the next level. A combination of natural talent and excellent coaching has allowed Jordan to develop into one of the countries top female divers.
EMY DiBENIGNO, Breast/Fly/IM, Carmel, Ind.
Coached by Charlie Fry at Washington Township ... owns lifetime bests of 2:06.31 in the 200 IM, 29.10 in the 50 breast, 1:05.57 in the 100 breast, 2:23.42 in the 200 breast and 57.53 in the 100 fly ... 100 breast time is just tenths off the program's top-10 all-time ... 10-time High School All-American ... Junior and Senior National qualifier ... Academic All-Conference award recipient.
Hoffer on DiBenigno: Emy is the most versatile athlete of this recruiting class. She will be a dream to have in a dual meet line up with her ability to help us in the Breastroke, Fly and I.M. Emy's high school leadership and her national level experience will be a welcome addition to our team as we continue to climb into the national rankings.
AMBER MOLINA, Back/IM, Carmel, Ind.
Swam for Coach Chris Plumb on the Carmel Swim Club ... holds lifetime bests of 27.29 in the 50 back, 58.47 in the 100 back, 2:06.67 in the 200 back and 2:07.63 in the 200 IM ... Senior National qualifier in the 200 back ... Junior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 back ... Junior National Finalist ... three-year High School All-American ... two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... member of the National Honor Society.
Hoffer on Molina: "Amber, the daughter of former Tiger swimmer Tom Molina, is a talented backstroker that has unlimited potential. We are excited about having a second-generation Mizzou swimmer join the program and look forward to her helping us immediately."
KAYLA DURNIL, Breast/IM, Columbia, Mo.
Coached by Phil Garverick of the Columbia Swim Club ... lifetime best of 2:20.53 in the 200 breast ranks in the Mizzou top-10 all-time ... holds a personal best time of 4:28.71 in the 400 IM ... Senior National qualifier in the 200 breast ... Junior National qualifier in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM and 400 IM ... member of the Tri-Theta senior women's service organization.
Hoffer on Durnil: "We have enjoyed watching Kayla develop into a national level swimmer these last couple of years. Her great personality and strong work ethic will allow her to continue to improve in college. Kayla had a lot of choices on where to go to school and we are pleased that she decided to stay and make our program better."
STEPHANIE ROVIG, Free, Houston, Texas
Coached by Clayton Cagle of the Fleet Swim Team ... lifetime best of 1:50.06 in the 200 free ranks inside the MU top-three all-time... personal best marks of 51.77 in the 100 free, 4:55.45 in the 500 free and 10:14.05 in the 1000 free are of all-time top-10 caliber ... holds a lifetime best clocking of 24.10 in the 50 free ... six-time High School All-American ... 2006/2007 USA Swimming Academic All-American ... district and regional champion in the 100 and 200 free ... garnered all-state honors each of the past two years ... finalist in the 100 and 200 free at the 2007 Junior Nationals.
Hoffer on Rovig: "Stephanie is going to take our freestyle group to whole new level. Her outgoing personality and experience at the state and national level will launch this team forward. Stephanie has potential at the NCAA level."
CHRISTINA GAILEY, Diving, Lexington, Ky.
Dove for Coach Mike Lyden of the Kentucky Dive Club ... 2007 Junior Olympic National Finalist on the 3-meter board and 10-meter platform ... 2007 Senior National qualifier on the tower and placed fifth in platform synchro ... 2007 Senior Zone Championship runner-up on the tower and in platform synchro.
Sweeney on Gailey: "Christina Gailey is already a success story. After diving for just over two years, she has climbed into the upper echelon of our sport by qualifying for Junior and Senior Nationals on the 10-meter platform. Next year is going to be really exciting with senior Kendra Melynchuk leading these two phenomenal freshmen girls in what will be the best women's diving team in school history."
