Missouri State has brought in five newcomers to the swim team for the 2010-11 season. These athletes come not only from the United States, but internationally as well.
Kelsey Burgin
Diver
Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine High School)
Burgin comes to the Bears after a standout career for Grapevine High School in Grapevine, Texas. She also dove for the GC Divers. As a member of the GC Divers, helped lead the team to win the Spring West National diving competition and achieve the fifth-place overall team finish at the 2008 National Championships.
Diving Coach Jim Huelskamp on the signing of Burgin:
"Kelsey is a great pick-up for our women's team. Losing 2 of the top divers in the conference to graduation this year, Kelsey gives us a very experienced diver that will make an immediate impact at the conference championship. She is a 3 time High School All-American with numerous age-group Diving Honors. Kelsey is equally as impressive in the classroom at the Top of her high school class with a 4.0 GPA."
Hannah Molden
Freestyle/Backstroke
Topeka, Kan. (Washburn Rural High School)
Moldin comes to Missouri State from Topeka, Kan. Moldin swam for the Topeka Swim Association, notching very competitive times in the freestyle events. She was an all-city and all-league selection her freshman year. Moldin was also a sectional finalist as well as Junior National qualifier.
Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on the signing of Moldin:
"We are very excited to have Hannah joining us next year. She has all the qualities we are looking for in a student-athlete. Her athletic ability, her work ethic and her attitude will make us a better team. She comes from a great age-group program and has big meet experience that will allow her to make the transition to Division 1 swimming very smoothly."
Paige Koebbe
Diving
St. Louis, Mo. (Nerinx Hall)
Koebbe is a diver from Nerinx Hall High School, in St. Louis. Koebbe, a former gymnast, has only been diving competitively for a year, but has already earned numerous honors. Last season, Koebbe placed third in the MWAA conferene meet and qualified for the state meet. She was named first team all-MWAA and selected as the Nerinx Hall Swimming and Diving MVP.
Diving Coach Jim Huelskamp on the signing of Koebbe:
"Koebbe is from St. Louis and she has the potential to be very good. Very strong work ethic. We are excited to get her in and continue her development."
Roni Balzam
Butterfly/IM
Israel
Balzam won a bronze medal in the 2009 Maccabiah Games in the 200-meter butterfly and a silver in the 400-meter Individual Medley. She will come to the Bears and add valuable depth to the butterfly and IM groups. Balzam is also the first Israeli signee to the Missouri State swim team.
Graduate Assistant Ignacio Gayo on the signing on Balzam:
"Balzam will swim our butterfly events and will be a strong IM swimmer as well. We will look for her to fill some large holes that we will have due to graduating a large senior class. She will be one of our top swimmers in the butterfly events for years to come."
Anna Ahlin
Backstroke
Sweden
Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on the signing of Ahlin:
"Anna brings big meet experience to our squad. She has competed on the international stage and will give us depth in our specialty events."
In addition to the athletes coming to Missouri State for 2010-11, these swimmers will join the team in January 2010:
Daniel Jansen, Polokwane, South Africa
Breaststroke/IM
Limpopo (Pietersburg Hoerskad)
Jansen comes to the Bears from Polokwane, South Africa. He is the 2-time National Junior record holder in the 200-meter breaststoke. While swimming for Piertersburg Hoerskad, Jansen racked up numerous honors, including the Limpopo Province Swimmer of the Year finalist. Jansen is a 5-time provincial swimming winner and set school records in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley. In international competition, Jansen placed fourth in the 400-meter IM at the FINA/Arena World Cup. Jansen was also a finalist in the 400-meter IM at the Olympic Trials.
Graduate Assistant Ignacio Gayo on Jansen:
"Very strong IMer and backstroker. Dan is a very strong IMer and backstroker. Our team will really benefit from his valuable depth and experience. Jansen will be a top two, top three in his events and will really help us earn points at the conference meet. He will develop into a very good swimmer for us."
Janke Engelbrecht, Duiwelskloof, South Africa
Backstroke/Freestyle
Limpopo (Ben Vorster)
Engelbrecht comes to Missouri State from Ben Vorster High in Tzaneen, Limpopo. She was a multi-sport athlete and in addition to swimming, competed in Hockey and Tennis. Engelbrecht swam for the Shamu Swim club in Tzaneen. She has swam in several events in the International World Cup series, including the 50-meter backstroke and the 100-meter freestyle.
Graduate Assistant Ignacio Gayo on Engelbrecht:
"Janke has a lot of experience in sprint events. She will help the team especially in the relays. She will come in, fill some holes, and help us develop. Engelbrecht will help us continue to raise our level of swimming and add depth to a young sprint group."
Amber Green
Freestyle
Mt. Vernon, Ill. (Eureka High)
Green is a former state champion in both Missouri and Illinois. She is a four-time high school all-American and last year, set the Missouri high school record in both the 50-yard freestyle (23.24) and 100-yard freestyle (50.23). Green also competed in the Junior National Meet in the Short Course (25 yards) and finished fourth overall in the 100-yard freestyle.
Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Green:
"We are thrilled to have Amber joining us in January. She will have an immediate impact on our team. Amber is one of the best High School swimmers to ever come out of Missouri and we are very happy to keep her in-state and swimming for the Bears."
Jordan Victoire
Butterfly/Freestyle
France
Victoire swam for the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics as well as EN Albi swim clubs. In September, Victoire recorded times of 47.40 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:44.11 in the 200-yard freestyle, 28.37 in the 50-yard breaststroke, 1:01.83 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 2:17.01 in the 200-yard breaststroke.
Associate Head Coach Dave Collins on Victoire:
"Jordan will be an asset to our team by providing depth in the middle distance freestyle and fly events. His great size and attitude will play a key role in his development as a swimmer for us. We really look forward to getting him in the water in January."
