Nov. 19, 2010

University of Missouri head swimming coach Greg Rhodenbaugh and head diving coach Jamie Sweeney announced today that five swimmers and one diver have signed national letters of intent to join the Missouri program, entering as freshman in fall of 2011.

Missouri will welcome Emily Doucette (Winnipeg, Manatoba, Can.), Tasha Truscott (Georgetown, ON, Can.), Jacey Hodan (Rockwall, Texas), Danielle Spradlin (Universal City, Texas), Kellie Barbiea (Springboro, Ohio), and Lauren Callin (Middleton, Wisc.) to the program.

Doucette is one of three Canadian swimmers to join the Missouri program in 2011. She is an accomplished swimmer in both freestyle and backstroke, swimming short course meters for the Manta Swim Club in the 50 free (26.01), 100 free (55.67), 200 free (2:02.64), 100 back (1:02.77), and 200 back (2:14.51). She swam as a member of the 2010 Canadian North American Challenge Cup Team.

"Emily is the latest addition to the Tiger family," Rhodenbaugh said. "She is another young Canadian who will make a significant difference to our program from her first day on campus. At 16 years old she has already made the NCAA `B' standard in the 100 free and is one of Canada's rising stars."

Truscott hails from Canada as well, where she swam for the Etobicoke Swim Club. She is competitive in the freestyle and fly, swimming the 50 free (26.76), 100 free (57.71), 200 free (2:03.15), 50 fly (28.14), 100 fly (1:01.12), and 200 fly (2:18.86) in long course meters. Truscott was also a member of the 2010 Canadian North American Challenge Cup Team.

"Tasha is a bullet underwater and will help us in both sprint fly and freestyle," Rhodenbaugh said. "She has been successful in swimming from a very young age and has resurged of late under new coaching. We are very excited about bringing her into our new championship culture."

Hodan swam in Texas for the Dallas Mustang Swim Club in both the breaststroke and IM. She posted personal bests of 1:03.89 in the 100 breast, 2:18.01 in the 200 breast, and 2:06.50 in the 200 IM.

"Jacey completes our Texas trifecta," Rhodenbaugh said. "She will add to our depth in breaststroke and bring an energetic and positive attitude to our team. We expect great things from her and are very excited she chose to be a Tiger."

Spradlin is from Texas as well, and swims for Alamo Area Aquatics. A versatile swimmer, she competes in the 200 IM (2:03.89), 100 and 200 breast (1:05.05 and 2:19.59), and 200 and 500 free (1:52.75 and 5:00.45).

"Danielle is a very versatile swimmer that will help us in depth in many different events," Rhodenbaugh said. "She was the first swimmer to commit on the women's side for this year's class. We are looking forward to the work ethic that she brings to our team and are excited for her future."

Barbiea has personal best times in the 100 fly (57.01) and 100 back (57.30), and is excited to be a part of the Missouri program. "I fell in love with the team and the coaches," she said. "I just loved the overall environment."

"Kellie is a versatile swimmer that will help us in the fly, back and free events here at Mizzou," Rhodenbaugh said. "She will bring excitement to our program and depth to our squad. She has already proven that she can overcome adversity in her swimming career and we know she will bring that same toughness to our team."

Callin joins the Missouri squad on a high note, as just a day after signing to the team she went on to win her first Wisconsin state diving title, racking up 465.15 points for Middleton High School.

"She comes from great coaching and lots of hard work, which is very important," Sweeney said. "She is the type of athlete who does very well in our program, and it doesn't hurt that she comes in with incredible academics, either."

Overall, Missouri coaches and swimmers are thrilled with the new class of talent that will be joining the program, and expect great things.

"Not only are all of these student-athletes very accomplished in the sports of swimming and diving, but they are also great people from great families," Rhodenbaugh said. "We are looking forward to them and their families joining our Mizzou family. With these additions, we are extremely excited for the future of Missouri Swimming and Diving."