#9 Michigan

With four Top-100 recruits, the Wolverines got an awful lot. A bigger question is what they didn’t get, namely a breaststroker to make up for the graduation of four sub-1:03’s. But don’t feel sorry for Jim Richardson, they’re looking good.

"You are always fortunate when you find people like that who can swim, because they are going to bring, to the team, the elements that make our team great,” explains Richardson adding, “Some of them happen to be really fast, and that means you are going to place higher and win a few more meets.”

Count Alexa Mehesan in that fast group. The sprinter/flyer has more Iowa State titles to her name than anyone else and is ranked 22nd overall. She’ll can be a sparkplug for the Wolverine machine, but that’s it takes more than one to hit on all cylinders. That’s OK – the Wolverines boast three more sub-1:50 freestylers as well. Hometown girl Liz Koselka arrives on campus already ahead of school record-holder Lindsay Kelly’s prep times. Forgive us if we confuse Liz Johnson and Liz (who goes by Elizabeth) Johnson both are sub-1:50 and sub-56 in backstroke. Kristyne Cole, another local product, rounds out an impressive group of freestylers. Flyer Caitlyn Dauw brings an impressive family history, but is perhaps the least-accomplished among her siblings. That will change as her best swims are ahead of her.

An opposing coach’s view: “Their in-state talent will help a lot. When kids grow up loving Michigan, there’s not much you can do.

 

22	Mehesan, Alexa	Des Moines Swimming Federation
	Des Moines, IA	West Des Moines Valley
78	Koselka, Liz	Club Wolverine
	Ann Arbor, MI	Pioneer HS
79	Dauw, Caitlyn	St Charles Swim Team
	St. Charles, IL	St. Charles East
86	Johnson, Liz	Milford HS
	Milford, MI
94	Cole, Kristyne	Club Wolverine
	Ann Arbor	Pioneer HS
159	Johnson, Elizabeth
	Highland, MI	Milford High School
410	Schwartz, Carleigh	Michigan
414	DeSantis, Katrina
	Birmingham, MI	Farmington YMCA