NEW ORLEANS ? The University
of New Orleans
head swimming and diving coach Randy Horner announced 21 student-athletes who
have committed to joining the UNO program on Friday afternoon.
In addition
to five commitments from the fall, Horner and his coaching staff have added 16
men and five women during the spring with several more expected to commit in
the time leading up to the beginning of the season.
"I am
proud to announce this class that we have put together,” said Horner. “It
is a tribute to the hard work my staff has put in to the rebuilding of our
women's team and starting a new men's team. The support we have here at
UNO with our administration has been key to our success as well as being
located in one of the greatest cities in the world. I only hope more
athletic directors will consider adding men's swimming teams in the future."
The men will kick competition off
for the first time this fall while the women's program is building off a record-setting
spring heading into their fifth year of competition. Both teams will practice
and compete at the Lakefront Aquatic Center,
located at the Lakefront Arena. The facility, which has not been in use since
August of 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina, will open this summer.
A list of
the commitments is available below followed by more information on each of the
student-athletes and quotes from members of the coaching staff, in addition to when
available, a quote from the student-athlete.
Men's Swimming Commitments
Carlos Araque, Miami,
Fla. (Belen
Jesuit Prep
School)
William Bunge, Springfield, Mo.
(Glendale HS)
Jarryd Gregoire, Trinidad (Fatima
College)
Jonas Grundstrom, Sweden
(Tessinskolan in Nykoping)
Alex Madsen, Denmark
(Christianshavns Gymnasium)
Birkir Mar Jonsson, Iceland
(University of Reykjavik)
Jack McMahon, Walnut Creek,
CA (De La Salle HS)
Eric Schneider, Cypress, Texas
(Cy Fair HS)
Ben Solari, Hazelwood, MO
(Hazelwood HS)
Alex Tarr, Everett, Wa.
(Everett HS)
Kevin Tinney, Sugar
Land, Texas
(Kempner HS)
Jake Van Roekel, Ankeny,
Iowa (Ankeny HS)
Bo John Wullings, The Netherlands
(Murmellius Gymnasium Alkmaar)
Men's Diving Commitments
Johnny DeMaine, Glendale, AZ (Ironwood HS)
Jonathan Field, Magnolia, Texas (Magnolia HS)
Kyle Frebel, Fort
Wayne, IN
(Homestead HS)
Women's Swimming Commitments
Ashley
Aranda, New Orleans, La.
(Mount Carmel Academy)
Paige
Chauvin, Lutcher, La (Lutcher HS)
Colleen
McReynolds, Edina, Minn. (Edina HS)
Catalina
Mendieta, Parkland, Fla. (Coral Glades HS)
Women's Diving Commitments
Kelly Swartzbaugh,
St.Louis, MO (Lindbergh HS)
Men's Swimming Commitment Information
Carlos Araque, Miami,
Fla. (Belen
Jesuit Prep
School)
3 time Florida State Champion
100 Breast...high school All American...Junior National Qualifier...coached by Kirk
Peppas at the Metro Aquatic Club of Miami
“Carlos comes to us
with a strong background from Metro Swim Club. He will be part of a solid
breaststroke group for us next season.” ? Randy Horner, head coach.
William Bunge, Springfield,
Mo. (Glendale HS)
All-state swimmer in Missouri...swam for Missouri State
Aquatics...team captain of Glendale HS team.
“William is a hard
worker that knows what it is like to be on a winning program. That is a key
attribute I am looking for in building a new program.” ? Randy Horner, head
coach.
Jarryd
Gregoire, Trinidad (Fatima
College)
Member of the Trinidad and Tobago
National Team...gold Medalist at the Carifta Championships... participated at the
1st FINA World Youth Swimming Championships in Brazil...multiple time
national champion....Chose UNO over Boston University, Bucknell, Southern
Illinois and Saint Louis University.
"Jarryd will be a
solid free/flyer for us. His times coming in out of high school are competitive
at the top of the Sunbelt Conference." ? Randy Horner, head coach.
Jonas Grundstrom,
Sweden
(Tessinskolan in Nykoping)
National Junior Champion in
2006 (400 freestyle)...two times bronze medalist at the Swedish National
Championships in 2007 (800 and 1500 freestyle)...chose UNO over Limestone College, Old Dominion University and Wayne State University.
“Jonas brings immediate
depth in the distance and medley events. His experience as an international
athlete will be huge, and we look forward to him making an immediate difference
at the Sun Belt Championship Meet. Jonas is an incredibly talented kid who will
be able to swim alot of things for us.” ? James Winchester, assistant coach.
Alex Madsen, Denmark
(Christianshavns Gymnasium)
Placed ninth in Danish
National Championships in 50 Breast...swam the breaststroke leg of the second
place 4 x 50 medley relay at the Danish nationals...was part of third place team
finisher at Danish national team championships...swam for Kvik Kastrup swim team.
"Alex
has a great deal of experience swimming big competitions. This will help us
establish a veteran mentality on an all freshman team." ? Randy Horner,
head coach.
Jack McMahon, Walnut
Creek, CA (De La Salle
HS)
North Coast CIF state
finalist...high school swim team captain...chose UNO over UNLV.
“I look for big things
from Jack in the future. His leadership abilities and work ethic put him in a
great place coming in to our program.” ? Randy Horner, head coach.
Birkir Mar Jonsson, Iceland (University of Reykjavik)
Member of the Icelandic National Team...national age
group record holder...has participated at the European Junior Championships and
European Youth Olympic Games...chose UNO over: LSU, Texas Christian, Cleveland State, Connecticut and UNLV.
“We are excited about
bringing Birkir to the University
of New Orleans.
Competing at high level meets across Europe,
he will bring immediate maturity, leadership and experience to our first year
program. He is capable of swimming several events and all the relay events for
us. Birkir makes us very strong in the relays and will be a big time player at
the Sun Belt Championship Meet.” ? James Winchester, assistant coach.
Eric
Schneider, Cypress, Texas
(Cy Fair HS)
Four year regional and
district finalist...2008 state qualifier...2008 all-state backstroke and medley relay
team...honor roll student...3.5 GPA...two-year varsity swim team for Cy Fair High
School...four-year varsity letter-winner in swimming and water polo.
“Eric will help us in
the backstroke events next season. His academic excellence he has established
will make him an asset in and out of the pool” ? Randy Horner, head coach.
Ben
Solari, Hazelwood, MO
(Hazelwood HS)
Missouri State champion in the
200 IM and 100 breast...St. Louis Post Dispatch Swimmer of the Year...North County
Suburban Journal Athlete of the Year...junior national qualifier...member of the
Heat Swim Club, coached by Dave Stevens...all-academic honors in 9th
through 12th grade...engineering major...chose UNO over Southern
Illinois and Missouri State.
“I have been familiar
with Ben for a few years. I have watched him develop through the club ranks and
am confident of his ability to make an impact at the Division 1 level.” ? Randy
Horner, head coach.
Alex Tarr, Everett, Wa. (Everett
HS)
State finalist in
the 100 and 200 free in Washington...swam for the West Aquatic Swim Club, coached
by Troy Emmons...team captain...Everett School District Athlete of the Year for
2007-08...district record-holder...2005 and 2007 district swimmer of the
year...four-year scholar-athlete...3.7 GPA in high school...will major in Engineering...
“Alex has untapped
potential that excites our staff. Alex's excellence in the classroom and
enthusiasm to train hard will make him an asset to the program.” ? Randy
Horner, head coach.
Kevin Tinney, Sugar
Land, Texas (Kempner
HS)
Texas 5-A state qualifier in
the 100 free...three-time district champion...team captain...multiple event sectional
qualifier...three-time academic all-district...US Swimming scholastic
All-American...National Honor Society member...3.5 GPA...will major in
hotel/restaurant management.
“Kevin will be a solid contributor
in the freestyle events for us. He has a lot of natural ability and will have a
lot of success here in New Orleans.”
? Randy Horner, head coach.
Jake Van Roekel, Ankeny,
Iowa (Ankeny
HS)
Placed third in 100 and 200
free at Iowa HS state meet...scholastic Award Winner at 2008 Iowa HS state
meet...chose UNO over Denver and Iowa
“Jake has proven to be
a top freestyler out of high school. I am confident he has what it takes to
make UNO competitive at the DI Level in our first year as a team.” ? Randy
Horner, head coach.
Bo
John Wullings, The Netherlands
(Murmellius Gymnasium Alkmaar)
National
Youth Champion in 2007 (200m Freestyle)...3rd at National Youth Championship in
2006 and 2007 (400m Freestyle)...chose UNO over SOKA University (California) and Loughborough University (United Kingdom).
“Even though Bo is a
Dutch National Champion, we are excited about his potential to make the jump
from a domestic star to a major player in the collegiate swimming scene. He has
big dreams about what he wants to do here at UNO, and we look forward to
helping him achieve those goals.” ? James Winchester, assistant coach.
Men's
Diving Commitment Information
Johnny DeMaine, Glendale,
AZ (Ironwood HS)
Second place finish at the 2008
Arizona state meet...2006 Summer West National qualifier...dives for Clavadistas
del Sol...coached by Josh Rusboldt.
“Johnny will come in
and contribute immediately for us as he has a solid background in diving at the
club level and I think he slid under the radar a bit. He has a great work ethic
and passion for diving that will help him take his abilities to the next step
and progress very rapidly in college.” ? Richard Marschner, diving coach
“I have an absolute
love and dedication for the sport and I look forward to diving at UNO as it
will be a great fit for me.” ? Johnny DeMaine
Jonathan Field,
Magnolia, Texas
(Magnolia HS)
Texas state high school
finalist in 2007 and 2008...dives for Conroe Diving Club with coaches Charlie
Casuto and Bill Travis...qualified on both boards for 2008 West Junior National
Championship meet...finished eighth at the meet in the three meter board in April
2008...8th place finish in the three meter board at 2007 AAU National
Championships...member of the National Honor Society...will major in mechanical
engineering...chose UNO over TCU, Clemson, Trinity (TX) and Ouachita Baptist.
“Jonathan comes from
one of the most competitive diving states in the country and has proven he is
more than capable of competing at a very high level with some of the best
divers in the nation. He has a great amount of potential and more importantly
he has a strong drive to fulfill that potential both athletically and
academically.” ? Richard Marschner, diving coach.
“I chose UNO because my
parents and I feel that UNO, the city and the team are in a great stage of
growth. I am excited to be a part of the new men's program and look forward to
helping them attain great success in the Sun Belt Conference.” ? Jonathan Field
Kyle Frebel, Fort
Wayne, IN (Homestead
HS)
State diving finalist 2007
& 2008...5th place at 2008 Indiana State High School Meet...also member of
third place 200 Free Relay...coached by Jill Eakright....varsity high jumper...older
brother dives at Florida State...chose UNO over Ball State.
“We are all very
excited to have Kyle join us next year. He has only been diving for 2 years and
has not even begun to scratch the surface of what he is capable of doing on the
boards. I expect him to develop into a top tier diver in very short order and
will be a tremendous asset to the team.” ? Richard Marschner, diving coach
“I picked UNO for many
different reasons, but for the most part it was a place where I felt I fit in
well with the existing women's team, the staff and I am excited to be a part of
the new men's swim and dive team. Another aspect of UNO was the location and
the city. The city really won me over with the diversity of its culture and
weather, I love how it is warm almost all year round in New Orleans”
? Kyle Frebel
Women's Swimming Commitment Information
Ashley Aranda, New Orleans, La. (Mount
Carmel Academy)
Swam for Crescent City Swim Club for
coach Mike Filati...placed second in the 100 free and third in the 100 back at the
Louisiana state
swim meet during senior year...third in 200 free and second in 100 back in the
state during junior season...second in 100 back at state meet during sophomore
year.
“Ashley is one the
top talents from the State of Louisiana as
well as in the New Orleans
area. I am excited to get the chance to build on what Coach Filati has
done with Ashley.” ? Randy Horner, head coach
Paige Chauvin, Lutcher, La (Lutcher HS)
Second place in 100
breaststroke at Louisiana
State championship meet
as a sophomore.
“I am excited to have a student athlete like
Paige on the team. She has a history as one of the top
breaststrokers in the state of Louisiana
and we are glad to have her be a Privateer.” ? Randy Horner, head coach
Colleen McReynolds, Edina,
Minnesota
Former National Age Group Record
Holder in the 800-meter freestyle and a 16-time National Interscholastic
Swimming Coaches Association All-American.... 35-time Illinois State Swimming
Champion and has been awarded the Van Etten Bent Award (Outstanding Athlete) of
the Bolles School ten times...was the Florida High School Swimmer of the Year and
the USS Florida swimmer of the year for short course in 2005... honor roll
student all four years of high school... while in high school, was a distance freestyle
swimmer for the Foxjets Swim Club in the 200 free (best time 1:50.51), 500 free
(4:48.48), 1000 free, and 1650 free (best time 16:28.16)
“Colleen's
enthusiasm for the sport of swimming is infectious. Having a swimmer of
her caliber and personality will be a great asset to the rebuilding of our team
here at UNO. She will be an immediate impact in the Sunbelt Conference as
well as on the national stage.” ? Randy Horner, head coach.
Catalina Mendieta, Parkland,
Fla. (Coral Glades HS)
Member of the
Colombian national team...chose UNO over Florida International, Marshall
and Florida Gulf Coast.
“Catalina's sprint ability will give
our team immediate impact that we need. Her international experience and
hunger to achieve will help bring our team up a level.” ? Randy Horner, head
coach.
Women's Diving Commitment Information
Kelly Swartzbaugh, St.Louis, MO (Lindbergh HS)
Two-year team
captain...senior MVP...two-time All-American...four-year state finalist placing sixth
at 2008 Missouri State HS meet...four-year varsity cheerleader and two-year
varsity track participant...dives for Clayton Diving Alliance under coach Joe
Schiermann...chose UNO over Missouri State, Arkansas, Colorado State and
Denver.
“Kelly is a former trampolinist who
has an incredible ability to control and manipulate her body in the air. She has only been diving seriously for a
short time and has improved very quickly since she began to focus more
intensely on diving. She will make an
immediate impact for us in the Sun Belt conference.” ? Richard Marschner,
diving coach
“I'm really excited to dive for UNO-
I think (Coach) Richard and the new dive team will give me an opportunity to do
great things. I chose New Orleans
because I had such a great connection with the team and the coaches. I can't wait for next year!" Kelly Swartzbaugh
