June 17, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – Head Swimming & Diving Coach Brian Hoffer announced today that one transfer and three standout prep swimmers have chosen to attend the University of Missouri, and compete in the pool for the Tigers, beginning with the 2009-10 season.
The quartet of Caitlin Conner (Burr Ridge, Ill.), Kim Jasmer (North Bend, Ore.), Lauren Mason (Marshalltown, Iowa) and Sydney Schaefer (Hinsdale, Ill.) have signed to compete for Mizzou, adding to an already outstanding class of seven prominent competitors announced back in December.
“This class is special,” Hoffer said. “The quality of young women that are joining us will allow us to continue to improve at the national level. These four women are really going to raise the bar in our freestyle events. We cannot wait to coach all of our newcomers in the fall,” he said.
Jasmer is a transfer from the University of Washington, where she was the school's Most Valuable Performer in both 2006 and 2007. The freestyle specialist was the Pac-10 Conference champ in the 500 meter event in 2008 and has been an NCAA Championship meet qualifier in the 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyle events in both 2007 and 2008. Jasmer will be a senior this fall.
“Kim is a hammer,” said Hoffer. “She is going to be a massive shot in the arm to our program and we can't wait for her championship mentality to permeate through our women's team,” said Hoffer.
Conner, Mason and Schaefer have all specialized in the freestyle event, as well, with Conner earning high school All-American status seven times, while Schaefer had five such honors to her impressive resume.
Following is more detail on the newest batch of Tigers…
Kim Jasmer (North Bend, Ore./ Univ. of Washington)
Top Times: Free: 23.23/49.93/1:45.7/4:41.54/16:14.96 ; Fly: 55.59
· Swims for King Aquatics coached by Shawn Hutchinson
· 3 Olympic Trials Qualifications (100, 200, 400 free)
· Oregon Swimmer of the Year 2005
· Pac 10 Champion 500 free (2008)
· NCAA Qualifier 2007 (11th in 500, 14th in 1650, 29th in 200 free) & 2008 (qualified with A cuts in 200, 500 and 1650 free)
· 11th at 2006 Long Course Nationals in 400 free
· MVP for University of Washington swimming 2006 & 2007
Caitlin Connor (Burr Ridge, Ill.)
Top Times: Free: 23.86 (relay split)/51.26(relay split)/1:51.03/4:57.96
· Swims for Hinsdale Swim club coached by Matt Rowe. Swims high school for Hinsdale Central coached by Bob Barber.
· 7x All-American
· MVP junior and senior year (swimming & water polo)
Hoffer Quote – “We couldn't be happier that Caitlin decided to become a Tiger. She will provide and instant impact to our middle distance squad and we feel that she has only scratched the surface of her talent.”
Lauren Mason (Marshalltown, Iowa)
Top Times: Free: 24.12(relay split)/53.29/1:55.90
· Swims for Marshalltown High School
· All-State 2006 and 2007 (200 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay)
· All-State 2008 200 IM, 200 free relay)
· Received High School All-American consideration in 2006 & 2008 in the 200 free relay
Hoffer Quote - “Lauren is a raw swimmer with tons of untapped talent. She only swims 3 months out of the year since she doesn't have a club team within an hour of her house. We can't wait to get her into our program and see her take off!”
Sydney Schaefer (Hinsdale, IL)
Top Times: Free: 24.2/52.1
· Swims for Westmont Swim Club coached by Adam Cremieux and Scott Erdman. Swims high school for Hinsdale Central coached by Bob Barber.
· 5x All-American
Hoffer Quote – “Watching Sydney swim is very exciting. She is raw, but she has a great feel for the water and a tremendous kick. At her size (6'1”) we strongly feel that she will develop into a great college sprinter.”