Nov. 26, 2002
Truman Swimming Teams Welcome Three More Signees
Truman head coach Colleen Murphy has announced that three more individuals have signed national letters of intent to compete for the men's and women's swimming teams next season.
Robert Fletcher (Broken Arrow, Okla) is a freestyler and backstroker who finished second as a junior at the state championships in the 100-yard backstroke and was third in the 200 freestyle, as well as a member of the state champion 400-yard freestyle relay team. He has twice represented Oklahoma on the USA Swimming zone team, is a sectional qualifier and a member of the scholastic all-America team.
"We are excited to have Robert as part of our team. He only began swimming competitively in high school and in a few short years has developed into one of the best swimmers in Oklahoma," Murphy said. "His drive and determination are evident when you meet him and he will continue to develop into a great swimmer at Truman."
Fletcher will join a Truman men's team that loses just two seniors. The Bulldogs tied for ninth last year at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, and are 2-0 in dual meets in 2002-03.
Shannan Schoening (Bettendorf, Iowa) was third at the 2002 Iowa State Championships in the 100 freestyle, fourth in the 200 free, first as part of the 200 freestyle relay squad and second in the 400 free relay. She is a member of the first Iowa all-state team. Her high School swim team won the state championship four years straight and she is a five-time high school all-America.
"We're thrilled about signing Shannan," Murphy said. "Her high school team has won the state championship four years straight and she knows what it takes to be a champion. She will fit right into our team philosophy and will flourish as a Bulldog. Shannan is a true team player and her competitive spirit will help her become a great swimmer at Truman."
Lindsay Vaughan (Shawnee Mission, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) competes in the individual medley as well as the butterfly and breaststroke. She was a member of the Kansas City Blazers elite team, was a multi-event sectional qualifier and a USA Swimming Central zone qualifier and finalist. Vaughan was named second-team all-state and first-team all-conference, all-county and all-metro.
"It is great having Lindsay join our team. She comes from a long line of successful Kansas City Blazers we have had on our team," Murphy said. "Lindsay really improved in the butterfly events over the summer and should help our team there as well as in the IM and breaststroke events. Her versatility will be a great asset to Truman and she will find herself swimming a variety of events as a Bulldog."
The Truman women's swimming team has won national titles the last two years, and is 2-1 in dual meets so far this season.
Last week Murphy signed three other women, Whitney Burtch (Elkhart, Ind./Concord), Lija Kaleps-Clark (Westerville, Ohio/North) and Lindsay McReynolds (Bloomington, Ill./University).