University of Denver Head Coach Brian Schrader has announced the addition of 16 student-athletes to the swimming and diving teams for the 2015-16 season. Below is a profile of each DU signee:
Kyle Ewoldt -- Gilbert, Ariz. -- Highland High School -- Butterfly/IM
Kyle comes to Colorado from Gilbert, Arizona. He swims for Highland High School and Mesa Aquatics. He placed 9th in the 400-yard IM (3:53.82) and 200-yard butterfly (1:48.00) at 2014 Junior Nationals. Kyle has been honored with several academic achievements. He is in the top 10% of his high school senior class, been named a Gilbert Golden Scholar, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
"Kyle is one of the best athletes coming out of the west this year," says Coach Schrader. "He is versatile and already competitive at a national level in the IM events and butterfly and will impact us right away in dual meets. He has made the Olympic trials standard previously, and for an athlete his age to be swimming at that level, we know we will see some good things from him in the future. He is a diligent and conscientious athlete and will fit in well with our team."
Kyle is the son of John and Lisa Ewoldt. He has an older sister named Emily and an older brother named Nathan. Kyle lived in Virginia for 14 years before moving to Arizona. He enjoys camping, hiking, and the outdoors, and he is a regular volunteer at an animal clinic in the summer.
Trey Kilbride -- Austin, Texas -- St. Michael's Catholic Academy -- Freestyle/Backstroke/Butterfly
Trey Kilbride is a swimmer from Saint Michael's Catholic Academy in Austin, Texas. During his high school career, he set a TAPPS State record in the 100-yard backstroke, as well as taking gold in the 100-yard freestyle. His team won the TAPPS Division 2 Title. He comes into Denver with personal records of 50.98 in the 100-yard backstroke, 1:51.26 in the 200-yard backstroke, and 52.80 in the 100-yard butterfly. Trey also swims for Lost Creek Aquatics, and he qualified in the 2014 Junior National Winter and Summer Meets.
Coach Schrader comments "Trey has been on our radar, and we were excited to get his commitment this spring. He has shown some great improvement in the last two years and will be a great addition to our backstrokers and fliers. He is also an outstanding student, and we take a lot of pride in recruiting great students who are competing at a national level."
Trey's parents are Earl and Renee Kilbride, and he has two brothers (Lane 14 and Cade 12). He plans to major in finance.
Brendon Mulcahey -- Hudson, Ohio - Hudson High School - Backstroke/Butterfly
Brendon Mulcahey is a five time All-American from Hudson, Ohio. He has been named All-Ohio ten times during his high school career at Hudson High School. Brendon also swims for the HEAT (Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team). He has posted personal best times of 20.79 in the 50-yard freestyle, 45.73 in the 100-yard freestyle, and 51.99 in the 100-yard butterfly. His best relay split in a 50-yard freestyle is 20.17 and his best 100-yard freestyle relay split is 44.86.
"Brendon is going to be the piece of the puzzle we need to make sure our 200 and 400 relays get to the national level," points out Coach Schrader. "He has been fun to get to know through the recruiting process, and I think he will thrive here with our freestylers. I have a feeling he may be making appearances nationally with our program and will immediately have impact on our relays and at dual meets. He may find himself on our record board sooner than later."
Brendon is the son of Dave and Sherry Mulcahey, and he has a younger brother named Nathan.
Colin Orlowski -- Allentown, Pa. -- Parkland Area Aquatic Club -- Freestyle/Backstroke
Colin is from Allentown, Pennsylvania and swims with Parkland Area Aquatic Club. A freestyle and backstroke specialist, Orlowski qualified for the 2014 Junior Nationals Meet. His best times are 4:30.83 in the 500-yard freestyle, 1:40.60 in the 200-yard freestyle, 46.83 in the 100-yard freestyle, 51.60 in the 100-yard backstroke, and 1:51.45 in the 200-yard backstroke.
A strong student, Colin made the Principal's List for maintaining 4.0 GPA for a marking period and was named a 2014 Scholastic All-American.
"Colin is the kind of student athlete we strive to recruit here at Denver," says Coach Schrader. "He is an outstanding student, and his versatility and work ethic will keep him motivated and improving throughout his career here. He will be a great addition to our outstanding group of middle distance athletes, and I anticipate him challenging to make an NCAA qualifying 800-yard freestyle relay here, as well as taking his backstroke and freestyle events to some NCAA standards."
He is the son of Kris and Marzena Orlowski and brother to older sister Yasmin Orlowski. In addition to his academic and athletic success Colin earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2014, the highest rank in scouting.
Ryan Reed -- Springdale, Ark. - Har-Ber High School - Diving
Ryan comes to Colorado from Springdale, Arkansas. He is the 2015 Arkansas High School State Champion in the 1-meter diving. He won the meet with a score of 435.06. He earned All-Conference honors and All-State honors for this performance. Ryan is a member of National Honor Society.
Ryan also dives for Razorback Diving Club. He competed at the 2015 USA Diving Region 4 Championships and placed 8th place on 1-meter at with a score of 358.50 and 7th on 3-meter with a score of 329.85 This qualified him to compete at the USA Diving Zone B Meet this June.
"Ryan is the complete package when it comes to the collegiate student-athlete," says Coach Channing Kimball. "An excellent student and hard-working athlete, I know that Ryan will make an impact in our competitions. I foresee him being a valuable asset to the entire DU community, and I look forward to coaching him."
Ryan is the son of Robyn Hill-Reed and younger brother to Devin and Taylor. Brother Devin was a collegiate athlete at Arkansas State University for Cross Country/Track. Uncle, Michael Harrell, was a graduate of both the University of Denver Daniel's College of Business and Sturm College of Law.
Graham Walker -- Nairobi, Kenya - Richard Montgomery High School -- Butterfly/Backstroke
Graham is from Nairobi, Kenya and is currently living in Maryland. Graham was the team captain for his swim team at Richard Montgomery High School in Maryland. He earned All-American honors for his high school team's medley relay performance and the team earned a 2nd place finish at the State Meet. He also swam for the Rockville Montgomery Swim Club. In Kenya, Graham is a National Age Group record holder and a Junior Nationals finalist. He swam at the South African Level III National Age Group Championships and placed 3rd in 400-meter freestyle event. He also swam in CANA Zone 3 & 4 where Kenya won in 2010 and 2012.
"Graham is going to bring some fast swimming and some different perspective to our group next fall," says Coach Schrader. "Here you have a student who was raised in Kenya and competing in swimming at a high level. I have a feeling he will be able to maximize his opportunities here athletically and academically and be an important part of our strong middle distance crew here at Denver."
Graham is the son of Maribeth Malecki and David Walker and brother to Jackson and Shannon.
Bailey Andison -- Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada - Perth Stingrays Aquatic Club
Bailey is from Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada, and she swims for Perth Stingrays Aquatic Club.
She competed at the Eastern Canadian Championships and placed second in the 200-meter IM and the 50-meter breaststroke. At the Ontario Age Group Championships, Bailey won four events -- the 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter breaststroke, 200-meter IM, and 400-meter IM. She also competed at the Canadian Swimming Trials and made B finals in the 200-meter IM and 400-meter IM.
"Bailey was an early commitment for us, and continues a tradition of bringing fast Canadian athletes into our program," says Coach Schrader. "She is an outstanding breaststroker and IM specialist and recently earned second swims at the 2015 Canadian Trials Meet. She will be competing at the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials and will be helping us immediately in her events at dual meets as well as podium swims at our conference meet. I think she will challenge for spots on our A relays in breaststroke, and she has shown some strong freestyle ability. It will be fun to see if she can earn spots in our freestyle relays. She may be one of our best IM specialists as well next year. She is enthusiastic and fun and will be a great member of our team."
Bailey is the daughter of Bronwyn Saywell and Brad Andison. She has a sister, Reese Andison and a brother, Van Andison.
Hannah Bradford - Centennial, Colo. - Mission Aurora Colorado Swimming - Backstroke
Hannah comes to DU by way of Centennial, Colorado. She has been swimming with the Mission Aurora Colorado Swimming Club for seven years. During this time, she has been named a USA swimming Scholastic All-American and a Junior National Qualifier. She was the 2014 Colorado Long Course State Champion in the 200-yard backstroke and a finalist at the Arena Pro Swim Series. In high school Hannah has proven herself a standout student receiving high honors for four years and being named a member of the National Honor Society.
"We are excited to have Hannah come from a great local club and be a part of our women's team, Coach Schrader said. "She is the type of student athlete you want to build your team around --a great student, and a work ethic that embodies a "get it done" attitude. She will impact us right away in her 200-yard backstroke in dual meets and challenge for medals at the conference level, and I think she has the drive to continue to pick up national standards here while setting the curve in her classes."
Hannah is the daughter of Lisa and Andrew Bradford and younger sister to Andrew and Hunter.
Sarah Hodes -- White Plains, N.Y. - Harrison High School - Butterfly
Sarah comes to Colorado from White Plains, New York. She swam for Harrison High School and Badger Swim Club. She is a five year varsity letterman, team captain, and four time school record holder. Sarah was named as an All-Section Athlete three times and was a finalist at the section meet for five years. She also was a three time NY state qualifier and two time NY state finalist.
A stand out student, Sarah is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Latin Society, and the National Foreign Language Society in French and Latin. She has received her IB diploma and will graduate Magna Cum Laude.
"Sarah will be well prepared for Division I swimming coming from Badger Swim Club and USA National Team coach Jon Collins," notes Coach Schrader. "She was one of our first commitments, and we were excited to have that happen. I know her 200-yard butterfly will be her primary event for us, and she will be fun to coach with our great group of flyers. Her academic record is outstanding, and I know she will challenge her peers here at Denver in the pool and in the classroom."
Sarah is the daughter of Michael and Marilyn Hodes and the younger sister to Jared (UCLA '14, Duke Ph.D '19). Sarah chose DU for its strong academics and swim program and the positive environment.
Courtney Laird -- Overland, Kan. -- Blue Valley Northwest High School -- Breaststroke
Courtney is from Virginia, but now resides in Kansas. As a freshman at Woodbridge Senior High in Virginia, she set a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard medley relay. During this time she also competed for Occoquan Swimming Club. As a sophomore in Kansas, she won the Kansas 6A state meet in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 100-yard breaststroke and set school records in both. For these achievements she was named First Team All-State. Courtney received varsity letters for each year she participated in high school swimming and was named a scholastic All-American for the 2013-2014 school year. She is a National Commended Merit Scholar, an ACT scholar, and an AP Scholar. She also competes for The Kansas City Blazers Swim Club.
Coach Schrader says "Courtney came to us highly recommended by Blazers coach Gardner Howland, and we know she will continue to have a great improvement curve in our program. She is an outstanding breaststroker and a very coachable athlete. We anticipate her helping us immediately in dual meets, and I think she can challenge our best athletes from day one. Having a national merit scholar in this class just helps solidify our mission here at Denver -- great students and great athletes. I am excited to see what she brings."
Courtney is the daughter of Paul and Charlene Laird. Notably her father played basketball for Gustavus Adolphus College. She has a younger brother named Daniel.
Morgan McCormick -- Golden, Colo. -- San Jose State University - Backstroke
Morgan McCormick, a native of Golden, Colorado, will be joining the team after completing a very successful freshman year at San Jose State University. During the 2014-2015 season, Morgan earned the title of Mountain West Freshman of the Year and San Jose State Newcomer of the Year. She recorded the Mountain West record time in the 200-yard backstroke, and she competed at the 2015 NCAA Championship Meet in 200-yard IM, 200-yard backstroke, and 100-yard backstroke. During her freshman year she maintained a GPA above a 3.0. Her hometown swim club is Jeffco Hurricanes Swim Team, and she graduated from Arvada West High School in 2014.
"Morgan is an NCAA qualifier transferring into our program, and we know we are getting a special athlete and a great student," comments Coach Schrader. "Morgan made Olympic Trials standards before leaving high school and has shown nothing but building off of those performances. Her Newcomer of the Year for San Jose State Athletics honor came after breaking the school records in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke and the 200-yard IM. She was also was the first San Jose State athlete in any sport to win a Mountain West Conference title. We are privileged to have her be a part of our program and excited that she is a local grown kid coming back to help our program with continued success at a national level."
Morgan is the daughter of Tonya and Brett McCormick and the older sister of Mitch (younger Katie. Morgan is a self-proclaimed "family girl." She is the second oldest of 11 cousins on her mom's side and her entire family lives within a mile of each other.
Lauren Moden -- Parker, Colo. - High School -- Freestyle/Backstroke
Lauren is from Parker, Colorado and swims with High School and the University of Denver Hilltoppers. Lauren placed 3rd at CHSAA 5A High School State in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events. For these accomplishments she earned automatic All-American (NISCAA) recognition and was honored with the 2014 Female Athlete of the Year Award. Lauren has posted personal best times of 55.05 in the 100-yard backstroke, 23.25 in the 50-yard freestyle, 50.45 in the 100-yard freestyle, and 1:50.30 in the 200-yard freestyle. A strong student, Lauren has earned a spot on the CHSAA Academic All-State First Team and acceptance to the Mu Alpha Theta Society.
Coach Schrader comments "Lauren is as local as it gets, and we could not be more excited to have one of the best freestylers in the state and region come from the DU Hilltoppers into our program. I know Lauren is well prepared for Division I by her coach, Shawn Smith and will immediately impact our relays and freestyle events in dual meets. She will challenge to be on our A relays, hopefully in the role of helping them qualify for NCAAs. She has been great at USA Sectionals, the Colorado State meet, and her academics have set her apart from her peers. We always strive to have the best student athletes in Colorado come to Denver, and we are excited that Lauren has chosen to be a Pioneer."
Lauren is the daughter of Elizabeth Marshall and Steve Moden and sister to Kayla Moden and Sarah Moden. Lauren follows in her grandfather's footsteps as he graduated from the University of Denver.
Avery Niemann - Oklahoma City, Okla. - Heritage Hall High School - Freestyle
Avery is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and swims for Heritage Hall High School and American Energy Swim Club. A captain of both teams, Avery holds 7 of the 8 individual records at her high school. She is a four time state high school champion in the 200-yard freestyle and a two time champion in the 100-yard freestyle. Avery has posted personal best times of 24.75 in the 50-yard freestyle, 53.03 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:52.28 in the 200-yard freestyle, and 5:06.73 in the 500-yard freestyle.
Avery is a stand out student. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She also has been named to the Headmaster's list for all four years of high school and earned Cum Laude recognition during her junior and senior years.
"The more we talked to Avery during the recruiting process, the more evident it became that this would be a fun student-athlete to have be a part of things here," notes Coach Schrader. Her academics and athletic accomplishments are at the top of her game, and as a strong freestyler with great versatility from the 50 to 500, we anticipate her challenging for relays, helping score big points in duals, and hopefully helping qualify our 800-yard free relay and herself for some national standards."
Avery is the daughter of Gwen and Alan Niemann and older sister to high school sophomore Ashton Niemann. Outside of the pool, Avery has competed nationally in competitive horseback riding, and she has placed in the top ten at Morgan World Nationals since 2006. She also lettered in fast pitch softball her freshman year and competed in cross country her junior and senior years.
Gabrielle Penvenne - Los Osos, Calif. - San Luis Obispo High School -- Backstroke/Butterfly/IM
Gabby is from Los Osas, California. She will graduate from San Luis Obispo High School where she has been named to the Class of 2015 Top 10 (based on GPA). She is a 2014 AP Scholar with Distinction and a 2014 Scholastic All-American for her performance in the 100-yard butterfly. Gabby is a PAC-7 League Champion in the 100-yard backstroke (2012, 2013), 100-yard butterfly (2013, 2014), and 200-yard IM (2014). She competed as a finalist in the CIF-SS Division 2 Meet in 2014. She placed 5th in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 56.58 and 7th in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:07.84. She is the 2015 PAC-8 League Champion in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard IM.
At her high school league championships in May 2015, she won and set new league records in the 200-yard IM (2:06.40) and 100-yard butterfly (56.74). She has recorded a butterfly split of 25.4 in the 200-yard medley relay and a split of 51.8 in the 4x100-yard freestyle relay. Gabby also swims for Puma Aquatic Team.
"Gabby was our first commitment in the fall, and we could not have been more excited to have that happen," Coach Schrader said. "She is an outstanding flyer, and I think her spectrum of butterfly events, as well as a talent for IM and gaming up for relays in freestyle, fills a need in several places for our team. Her academics are even more fun to brag about, and she has distinguished herself as one of the best student athletes in Southern California in the water and in the classroom. I anticipate her being an academic All-American, and I think she will be making appearances for DU on relays and individual at the NCAAs and nationals."
Gabby is the daughter of Laura and John Penvenne. John was a 1988 and 1990 Ultimate Frisbee National Champion at UCSB. Laura was also an Ultimate Frisbee National Champion at UCSB in 1990. Gabby has one brother, Galen. He is part of the 2015 USA Water Polo ODP Coastal California 16&U Zone Team and a PAC-8 League Champion in the 200-yard IM in 2015.
Drew Soffer -- Deerfield, Ill. -- Deerfield High School - Diving
Drew is a diver from Deerfield, Illinois. At Deerfield High School, she competed in diving, water polo, and gymnastics. As captain of both the Deerfield Swimming and Diving Team and the Water Polo Team, Drew is known as a strong leader. She finished 4th at her Conference Diving Meet with an 11-dive score of 342. She has been honored for her academic success with High Honor Roll and induction to the Spanish Honors Society.
"I am very excited to add Drew to the team," says Coach Kimball. "She has been a valuable leader to three high school teams, and I look forward to using this enthusiasm for people and competition to our benefit. I think Drew is going to grow a lot in her diving ability and add some important depth to our women's diving team."
Drew is the daughter of Ann and Bob Soffer and sister to Landon Soffer.
Annelyse Tullier -- Dallas, Texas -- Elite Swim Program -- Freestyle/Backstroke
Annelyse swam for Highland Park High School her freshman and sophomore year where she was the 4A State Champion in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke in 2013. She also earned NISCA All-American for the 200-yard freestyle relay (2012) and 200-yard medley relay (2013). The two-time Scholastic All American swims for Elite Swim Program under Coach Kameron Kennedy. She is also the school record holder in the 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard freestyle relay, and 200-yard medley relay. Annelyse has posted personal best times of 51.58 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:50.35 in the 300-yard freestyle, and 4:53.36 in the 500-yard freestyle.
"Annelyse has had an outstanding career as a high school athlete in Texas," comments Coach Schrader. "Winning a state championship there individually is quite an accomplishment, and we know that she will be a contributor here in the backstroke and freestyle events. She is swimming at a great level, and as a scholastic All-American and a swimming All-American, it is fun to know we will be coaching a bright, motivated athlete. She will be a welcome addition to our freestylers, and I think her backstroke will continue to improve and allow her to stay motivated and fresh to swim a variety of events for us. We anticipate her helping our relays make national cuts and her being a part of that individually as well."
Annelyse is the daughter of Bob and Clare Tullier. She has been a summer league swim coach for two years and is team captain of Elite Swim Program. She is also a Minnesota Grand Prix finalist and enjoys cooking and doing yoga. She is looking forward to majoring in finance.a.
