Head coach Jack Steck and the Missouri State Bears have finalized the early signing period with a plethora of talented swimmers from across the Midwest.

For the men, Missouri State welcomes six newcomers for next season.  This class is loaded with swimming credentials, as the newcomers have all-Americans, state champions and even academic all-American selections.

The women pick up two swimmers from Missouri, including Kickapoo standout Merideth Swain.

Signees (listed alphabetically):

• Chris Carpenter (Topeka, Kan., Washburn Rural High)

Carpenter is a standout swimmer in the state of Kansas. Carpenter has been an all-state selection three times in his career and is the reigning state champion in the 100-yard freestyle. He also placed second in the 200-yard freestyle. Carpenter holds the Washburn Rural High school records in the 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and was a team member on the record holding 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Carpenter:

"What excites us most about Carpenter is his ability to swim in multiple events. He also has great leadership qualities. He is also an extremely driven athlete who will help us out in the IMs and breaststroke events. Having him on the team will be a huge help."

• Aaron Dennis (Springfield, Mo., Greenwood)

Dennis comes to Missouri State from Greenwood High in Springfield, Mo.   He was the 2010 state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke.  His career best times include 57.80 in the 100-yard breaststroke, 1:55.10 in the 200-yard IM and 53.92 in the 100-yard backstroke.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Dennis:

"Thrilled to have Dennis join the Bears. We strive to get local talent to our school and he is a great example of local talent. He has incredible size and strength for a high school athlete. His talents should translate well to the college level."

• Paul Le (Moore, Okla., Southmoore High)

Le was the final signee to turn in his papers for the 2011 freshman class. He is ranked by CollegeSwimming.com at the second-best swimmer in the state of Oklahoma.  Le is a teammate of Missouri State signee Isaac McKnight. Both Le and McKnight swim for the Chesapeake Swim Club. Le is a top-tier backstroker, whose career best time of 50.35 in the 100-yard backstroke would be the top time in the Mid-American Conference this season.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Le:

"Picking Paul up at the end of the signing period really puts the cherry on top of this class. Le is a great backstroker who can also help out in the sprint freestyle events as well. Le is extremely excited to being his collegiate career at Missouri State."

• Isaac McKnight (Chickasha, Okla., Chickasha High)

McKnight was rated by CollegeSwimming.com as the third-best swimmer in the state of Oklahoma. As a junior at Chickasha High, McKnight set 5A state records in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle events. These feats earned him all-American distinction. McKnight is also a stand-out academically, being named a USA Swimming Scholastic all-American.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on McKnight:

"McKnight is going to make an immediate impact in the sprint events. He has a great attitude towards swimming as well as academics. McKnight was rated as one of the top swimmers in the state of Oklahoma and brings great credentials to the team."

• Alyssa Powers (Kansas City, Mo. Staley)

Powers has been a great swimmer for Staley High in Kansas City, Mo. She was rated by CollegeSwimming.com as the 13th best swimmer in the state of Missouri. Powers is primarily a breaststroker who turned in times of 1:07.66 in the 100-yard breaststroke, 2:30.07 in the 200-yard breaststroke and 2:14.54 in the 200-yard individual medley.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Powers:

"Powers will help us in the breaststroke and IM events. She has a great attitude toward the sport. She really wants to compete at the college level. With her work ethic, she will have no problem adjusting to the demand of Division I swimming."

• Caleb Schuermann (Omaha,Neb., Omaha Creighton Prep)

Schuermann is the top prep swimmer in the state of Nebraska, according to CollegeSwimming.com. While competing for Omaha Creighton Prep, Schuermann turned in times of 1:52.25 in the 200-yard IM, 46.47 in the 100-yard freestyle, 4:34.76 in the 500-yard freestyle and 1:41.68 in the 200-yard freestyle.

Associate head coach Dave Collins on Schuermann:

"Schuermann is the top swimmer in Nebraska. He has great size, great tools and possesses extremely raw talent. His best years are ahead of him. We are very excited to bring in a middle distance swimmer of his caliber. He will make an instant impact at the conference meet."

• Merideth Swain (Springfield, Mo., Kickapoo)

Swain comes to Missouri State from in-town high school Kickapoo where she was named the Most Valuable Swimmer. During her junior campaign, Swain was an essential cog in the Kickapoo relays. She earned all-state accolades for her efforts in the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. In the individual events, Swain was an all-state honorable mention in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Swain:

"With Swain, the unknown is very exciting. She is so versatile and still getting better. She will play a role for us in the next four conference meets. She has the potential to be very good."

• Matthew Wilson (West Monroe, La., West Monroe High)

Wilson is a butterfly specialist from West Monroe (High), La. He will fill a need for the Bears in both butterfly events. His best times in high school are 57.44 in the 100-meter long course butterfly and 2:08.58 in the 200-meter long course butterfly.

Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Wilson:

"Wilson is a very dedicated swimmer. In high school, he has had to drive 90 minutes to practice every day. He has never had a consistent training regimen. As a coaching staff, we are extremely excited to get a swimmer of his caliber with such tremendous upside."