One man and five women signed with TCU for the upcoming 2013-14 swimming and diving season.
“Every swimmer we signed can help up get faster in our relays and our sprint program,” head swimming and diving coach Richard Sybesma said.
Texas native Meagan Thompson qualified for the state swim meet each year of her high school swimming career. Thompson was a regional and district champion in the 50 and 100 free.
Sybesma said Thompson will be a big part of the relays, since she can compete in many events, from the 50 to the mile.
Winning the 2012 Texas Class 4A 100 fly, Hannelore Strash will be a top sprint butterflier for the Frogs, Sybesma said. Strash was also the team captain for Alamo Heights in San Antonio. She was a national and junior nationals qualifier as well as a USA Swimming high school All-American.
Ashley Dyke will make a great addition to the team in the breastroke, 200 IM and 200 free, Sybesma said. Dyke was a member of the 2012 North Carolina Class 3A winning relay team in the 400 free relay.
She was also a team captain and earned three all-conference titles in her high school career for the 100 breast.
Julia-Grace Sanders from Washington earned ten state titles. She had been a Washington Class 2A Swimmer of the Year for three years. Sanders was awarded with Scholastic All-American honors.
“[Sanders] can swim a great 50 and 100 free, and she will be one of our top 100 fliers,” Sybesma said. “She will be an integral part of all our relays and our team.”
New Jersey native Hannah Briant currently holds county and conference records in the 200 and 400 free relay teams. Briant won state champion in the 50 free and holds other regional and conference titles in that event. Sybesma said Briant will be a great addition to the relays.
Garrett Hills, from South Carolina, broke a state record when he became the first swimmer to swim the 100 free in under 46 seconds. He won five state champions, three from his senior year. Hills earned the YMCA All-American the past two years and he is also a Scholastic All-American.
“[TCU swim coaches] wanted to improve in the sprints and Garrett brings a lot of experience and talent to the sprints program,” Sybesma said.
TCU swimmers and divers will travel to Austin, Nov. 29, for the USA Short Course Nationals.
