Wolverines Sign Three Prep Standouts in Early Period
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
"I think we will have one of the best, if not the best, recruiting classes in the nation," said Michigan head coach Jon Urbanchek. "This could be our best recruiting class since we brought in Tom Dolan and John Piersma (for the 1993-94 season)."
DeJong and Tarwater were both on the United States team that competed at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. DeJong is the 2001 Michigan high school state champion in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke and has posted times of 48.71 in the 100-yard backstroke and 1:48.49 in the 200-yard backstroke. In the 200-meter freestyle, DeJong has posted a personal-best time of 1:57. Tarwater's best events are in the freestyle as he owns a time of 1:38.62 in the 200-meter and 3:55.78 in the 400-meter.
"It's always nice to have freshmen coming in with national and international experience," said Urbanchek. "All three guys are motivated and I think all three of them have a vision of the five rings of the Olympic Games in 2004."
Vanderkaay, the 2001 Michigan high school state champion in the 500-yard freestyle, will join his brother Christian Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich./Adams HS) on the Wolverines team next year. While Christian is one of Michigan's top competitors in the butterfly, Peter Vanderkaay's main strengths are in the freestyle. He owns a time of 4:00 in the 500-meter freestyle and 1:40.85 in the 200-yard freestyle.
Michigan already boasts one of the top freshman classes on its 2001-02 roster, including three members with international experience in Andrew Hurd (Oakville, Ontario/Trafalger HS), Chuck Sayao (Mississauga, Ontario/Cawthra Park HS) and Brendan Neligan (Briarwood, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy HS). With nine freshmen on this year's team, the Wolverines have posted a 4-0 record so far, including dual meet victories over Florida and Georgia.
"This year's freshman group and the guys we have coming in next year will be the backbone for Michigan swimming over the next couple of years," said Urbanchek. "These two classes will help ensure that the Olympic flame will not go out at Michigan."
The Wolverines' next meet will be at the Texas Invitational on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, in Austin, Texas. The meet will be held at the Lee and Joe Jamail Swim Center on the campus of the University of Texas with Friday and Saturday's competition occurring at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST, while Sunday's action will be at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. CST.
Contact: David Crabtree (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
