Dec. 3, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou swimming and diving Head Coach Brian Hoffer announced Wednesday that seven swimmers have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Mizzou women's swimming and diving squad for the 2009-10 campaign.
"We knew this was a big recruiting year for us," Hoffer said. "We're losing 10 women next year, but with the women we've brought in so far, we feel we're in pretty good shape. Each of these women possess the qualities in and out of the water that we need to have to be one of the best teams in the country."
"This senior class has taken us to national prominence and we are looking for the class of 2009 to help us make a major impact at the NCAA Championships. We put more time and effort than ever into recruiting this class. The staff and team did a tremendous job to make this happen."
DOMINIQUE BOUCHARD, Backstroke, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Swims for North Bay Y under head coach Dr. Cliff Noth ... "B" finalist at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials (200 back), 2006 Pan Pacific Game Trials (100 and 200 back) and 2007 Pan American Game Trials (100 and 200 back) ... finished fifth in 200 back and seventh in 100 back at 2008 Canadian Summer Senior Nationals ... will compete once again for Team Canada (Youth) at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (2009 edition), in Sydney Australia.
Best Times (LCM)
100 back: 1:04.60
200 back: 2:14.98
200 IM: 2:22.66
Hoffer Quote: "Dominique is going to be a huge addition to our program. Not only does she already have experience racing on the international level but she also wants to be a major part of a rapidly building program. I feel that Dominique will be a difference maker for us from day one."
CASSIE CUNNINGHAM, Backstroke, Pflugerville, Texas
Swims for Texas Gold, coached by Aubrey Knapper ... NISCA All-American ... swam backstroke leg of the two-time 200 medley relay State Champions in Class 5A ... Senior National qualifier since 2006.
Best Times (short course)
100 back: 56.40
200 back: 1:59.80
Hoffer: "We truly feel that Cassie will be a great college swimmer. She has competed against some of the best competition down in Texas and been a member of one of the strongest medley relays in the country while swimming for Aubrey at Texas Gold. With that said, we feel that Cassie has the experience necessary to make an instant contribution to the program."
AMANDA MASTERS, Breaststroke/I.M., Lake St. Louis, Mo.
Swims under coach Mary Liston for Rockford Swim Club ... 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier in 100 breast ... Senior National qualifier in 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM ... Missouri High School State Champion in 100 breast and 200 IM.
Best Times (LCM)
100 breast: 1:12.38
200 breast: 2:38.06
200 IM: 2:20.56
Hoffer Quote: "Our staff couldn't be happier that a Missouri athlete the caliber of Amanda decided to become a Tiger. We truly feel that Amanda's best swimming is in front of her. She has really turned it on over the past year and we know that we can provide the environment to keep her moving in the right direction and towards the NCAAs."
SASHA MENU COUREY, Freestyle, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Coached by Kevin Thornburn for Etobicoke Swim Club ... member of Canada's Youth and Junior National team ... nominated for 100 and 200 free ... national record holder for girls 15-18 in 4x100 free relay in a time of 3:51.44 (LCM) ... posted :57 split for record-breaking 4x100 free relay squad ... Far Westerns Champion in 50 free.
Best Times (LCM)
50 free: 26.56
100 free: 57.91
Hoffer: "Sasha is a ball of energy. She is going to give our sprint squad a massive shot in the arm. She's not only going to help us tremendously in the sprint events, but she'll also be a major factor in our relays taking that next step."
ASHLEY PATERSON, Free, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.
Swims club under Wes Herold for Brevard Swim Club ... named "Swimmer of the Year" by the Florida Today ... qualified as an All-American in the 200 and 500 yard free ... competed at the U.S. Senior Nationals in Atlanta, Ga., in six individual events ... member of the National Honor Society.
Best Times (short course)
200 free: 1:50.35
500 free: 4:53.86
1000 free: 10:10.99
1650 free: 17:04.76
Hoffer: "We identified Ashley very early as someone who would be a great fit here at Mizzou. She is willing to put in the necessary work to be a great swimmer and will be a welcome addition to our upper mid-distance squad."
RACHEL RIPLEY, Breaststroke, Tempe, Ariz.
Swims for Rio Salado Swim Club for coach David Tait ... posted a 2008 Olympic Trials cut in the 100 breast ... two-year Arizona High School State Champion in the 100 breast ... three-year All-American in the 100 breast ... three-year girls athlete of the year at high school.
Best Times
100 breast: 1:12.24 (LCM)
200 breast: 2:39.74 (LCM)
200 IM: 2:06.82 (short course)
Hoffer: "Rachel has a beautiful breaststroke and will provide us with instant speed and challenge to be on our "A" relays right off the bat. She comes from a great swimming lineage and we feel that the next four years for her at Mizzou will be special."
BRIGETTE SELBERT, Backstroke/Freestyle, St. Louis, Mo.
Swims for Parkway Swim Club, coached by Nick Rudich ... competed in the 2008 Junior Nationals in the 200m back and 100m back ... competed in the 100 back, 200 back and 100 free at the Spring Junior Nationals ... National Honor Society member ... made Honor Roll all through high school.
Best Times (LCM)
100 back: 1:06.88
200 back: 2:20.30
200 free: 2:08.08
Hoffer: "Brigette really came on in a big way this past summer with Nick and we feel that she is only beginning to realize her potential. Her personality and work ethic will be a great addition to our program. She and Amanda are the premier swimmers out of St. Louis and we are happy to have them."
"This is the first class in our history where we have signed four athletes with Olympic Trial cuts and three at U.S. Open cuts." Hoffer said. "The 2009 recruiting class will be a special part of Missouri Swimming and Diving history."