Missouri State’s swimming & diving coach Jack Steck has announced and finalized the addition of 15 signees to his roster for the 2009-10 season. On the women’s side, the Bears received an early commitment from Kaylee Steffen, of Oklahoma City, Okla. and have since added Devin Arch, Katie Brown, Rachel Looker, Marta Nogueroles, Elizabeth Strother and Brittany Winter. On the men’s side, eight newcomers will provide needed depth and have potential to make an immediate impact for the bears. Cameron Case, Gilles Cantrelle, Frankie DeMaria, Niklas Gustafsson, Aaron Henry, Jacob Sims, Logan Wilmoth, and Austin Wright comprise the new signees for the men.
2009-10 Women’s Swimming and Diving Signees
Devin Arch (Marietta, Ga.) comes to Missouri State after swimming for a prominent club team, the Marietta Marlins. Arch was a NCSA Junior National qualifier and received numerous Most Determined and Most Dedicated awards swimming for the Marlins. Arch also swam for Lassiter High where she helped capture two state titles her junior and senior years. She was a Scholar-Athlete all four years is expected to add needed depth in the breaststroke and IM groups and may also swim distance freestyle events.
Katie Brown (Bentonville, Ark.) joins the Bears’ women after swimming four years for Bentonville High School. Brown led her team as a senior captain, capturing the 2009 High School Arkansas State Championship. She was a member of two record-setting relays in the 200 free and 200 medley and was named ASI Swimmer of the Year in the 2006. Brown was awarded All-Conference and All-State honors all four years of her high school career and is expected to swim butterfly, breaststroke and sprint freestyle events for the Bears.
Rachel Looker (Springfield, Mo.), a local standout swimmer joins the Bears after swimming four years for Kickapoo High School. Looker was also a member of Missouri State Aquatics, a club team coached by the Bears’ associate head coach, Dave Collins. As an age-group swimmer, Looker was ranked nationally, with numerous top-16 national age group times. As a senior, Looker set the Kickapoo school record in the 200 IM, and was a member of the 200 medley and 400 free relay teams which also set new school records. She was team captain as senior will add depth for the Bears in breaststroke and IM events.
Marta Nogueroles (Barcelona, Spain) is the sole international signee for the Bears’ women for the 2009-10 season. Nogueroles is a very talented swimmer who has competed several times in the Spanish National Championships. She has represented Spain at meets in Greece, Italy and Germany and will swim butterfly and mid-distance freestyle events. Nogueroles will also challenge for relay spots as a freshman and is expected to make an immediate impact on the women’s team.
Kaylee Steffen (Oklahoma City, Okla.) joins the Bears after swimming under the direction of coach Wayne Smith of Putnam City West High School. She was the champion in the 100 yard backstroke in the Oklahoma High School state meet and was also named to the Oklahoma City all-city first team in 2006 and 2008. Steffen is a former club teammate of 2008-09 Bears’ senior co-captain Jordan Hawkins. Swimming for coach John Brown of the Chesapeake Swim Club, she was awarded the 2008 Central Mega Zones third place High Point Award in Indianapolis, Ind. Steffen is expected to swim butterfly, backstroke and IM events for the Bears.
Elizabeth Strother (Wichita, Kan.) comes to Missouri State from North High School where she was captain of the team and a finalist in the Kansas State High School multiple times. She swam for Wichita Swim Club and competed at the NCSA Junior Nationals. Coach Steck expects Strother to make waves immediately in the sprint freestyle events and breastrokes.
Brittany Winter (Newton, Kan.) comes to Missouri State from the same hometown as 2008-09 senior Andrea Gerbrand. Winter was the team captain for Newton High School and was a Kansas State finalist in numerous events. She holds Newton High individual records in the 100 fly, 100 free, 200 IM, 500 free, 100 breast. A versatile swimmer, Winter is projected to swim fly, breast, and freestyle events for the Bears.
2009-10 Men’s Swimming and Diving Signees
Cameron Case (Lawrence, Kan.) joins the Bears after swimming under the direction of Mike Soderling, head coach of the Lawrence Aquahawks, one of the most successful club programs in the Midwest. Case was a Junior National qualifier in the 200 and 400 IM and competed in the national meet held in Orlando, Fla. He was also a sectional championship finalist in several events and will add much needed depth to the IM and breaststroke groups for the Bears.
Gilles Cantrelle (Paris, France) comes to Missouri State as one of two international signees for the men’s squad. Cantrelle is a highly decorated swimmer and has represented France at meets all over Europe. He was a finalist at the French National short-course meet in numerous events and holds several team and region records. Cantrelle will be a huge force in the conference and will assist the Bears, swimming mid-distance freestyle and IM events.
Frankie DeMaria (Niskayuna, New York) joins the Bears after swimming four years for Niskayuna High School. As a senior, DeMaria helped the team to its first short course championship title in 17 years. He was also a member of the Albany Starfish Swim Club. Over the course of his swimming career, he competed in nine East Coast Zones Age Group meets, five U.S. Sectionals and Super Sectionals and holds 25 club records. DeMaria also qualified for NCSA Junior Nationals and will swim distance freestyle events for the Bears.
Niklas Gustafsson (Oskarshamn, Sweden) is the second international newcomer for the Bears’ men. Gustafsson will make an immediate impact at the conference level and possess incredible talent in backstroke, IM and distance freestyle events. He will challenge fellow teammates for top spots as a freshman.
Aaron Henry (Lincoln, Neb.) joins the Bears after swimming for Lincoln Southeast High School. He was a Nebraska State Championship finalist several times and will add much needed depth in backstroke events for the Bears.
Jacob Sims (Leavenworth, Kan.) comes to Missouri State from the Tsunami Swim Team. A former basketball player, Sims has height and athleticism which will transfer well to the pool. Sims has potential to become a strong swimmer for the Bears’ men.
Logan Wilmoth (Hot Springs, Ark.) joins the Bears after a successful high school swimming career. Wilmoth was an Arkansas State High School champion in the 100 butterfly as a senior and 50 free as a junior. He also participated in the NCSA Junior National Championship as a senior. A multiple recipient of All-State honors, Wilmoth has potential to become a great collegiate swimmer for the Bears and is expected to swim primarily butterfly, breaststroke and IM events.
Austin Wright (Overland Park, Kan.) comes to Missouri State with raw swimming talent and tremendous potential as a sprint freestylist. Wright swam fro Blue Valley High School for four years and will be a great addition to the Bears’ squad.
