#SwimDive Signs Seven to National Letters of Intent
12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
FORT WORTH, Texas -- TCU swimming and diving head coach Richard Sybesma announced the signing of seven athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in the fall.
"Each one will bring something special to our team," Sybesma said. "We anticipate great things from them, and we could not be more excited to have them join us at TCU."
Derek Bowers (Gilbert, Ariz. — Diving — Gilbert Classical HS)
Bowers comes to TCU from Gilbert, Ariz., where he is a diver for Gilbert Classical High School and the Sun Devil Divers club. During the 2013 season, Gilbert took home third-place at the Arizona State Championships with a 1-meter dive score of 445.20. In 2016, Gilbert competed at the Junior and Open Nationals. Bowers plans to focus on graphic design at TCU.
Kevin Chao (Irvine, Calif. — Freestyle — Crean Lutheran South HS)
Chao comes to TCU from Irvine, Calif., where he swims for Crean Lutheran South High School. Chao is a freestyle specialist and holds personal-best times of 9:20.7 (1000 Free), 4:30.5 (500 Free) and 15:56.1 (1650 Free). In May of 2016, Chao took home third place in the 500 free at the California Section Championships. He was named a 2016 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. Chao plans to major in pre-med.
"Walking through TCU's gorgeous campus everything just felt right, and I knew I could excel here," Chao said. "The team, coaches, community, and academics are incredible, and I'm excited to be a part of it!"
Sally Clough (Springboro, Ohio — Freestyle — Springboro HS)
Clough comes to TCU from Springboro High School where she competes in freestyle events. Clough was a bronze medalist in the 200 free at the 2015 Ohio State Championships and took home fourth the following year in the 500 free. Clough holds personal-best times of 9:59.5 (1000 Free), 1:49.2 (200 Free), and 4:52.8 (500 Free). Clough plans on majoring in business.
Katelyn Kenchel (Evergreen, Colo. — Free/IM — Evergreen HS)
Kenchel comes to TCU from Evergreen High School where she primarily swims freestyle and individual medley events. Kenchel recently took home gold in the 200 long course free at the Western Senior Zone Championships. Kenchel logged a fourth-place finish in the 100 free at the 2014 Colorado State Championships. Kenchel holds personal-best times of 1:50.0 (200 Free), 50.7 (100 Free) and 2:03.1 (200 IM). Kenchel plans of majoring in interior design.
Chloe Miller (Granite Bay, Calif. — Breaststroke — Granite Bay HS)
Miller comes to TCU from Granite Bay High School were she has been a breaststroke swimmer. Miller holds personal-best times of 1:03.9 (100 Breast), 2:19.8 (200 Breast) and 2:04.6 (200 IM). She plans on majoring in business.
Dayne Odendaal (South Africa — Butterfly/Free)
Odendaal will join the Horned Frogs in January. Odendaal comes to TCU from South Africa where he is a freestyle and fly swimmer. He holds personal-best times of 2:01.9 (200 meter fly), 2:05.9 (200 meter IM) and 3:58.3 (400 meter free).
Kiki Rice (Neenah, Wisc. — Backstroke — Neenah HS)
Rice comes to TCU from Neenah High School. Rice is primarily a backstroke swimmer, but she is very versatile in other events as well. She holds personal-best times of 4:23.0 (400 IM), 2:01.1 (200 Back) and 56.3 (100 Back). Rice plans on majoring in engineering.
"There was such a homey feeling the second I stepped on campus," said Rice. "The team and staff were so incredibly welcoming and I could not imagine myself anywhere else. GO FROGS!"
Players Mentioned
