VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota head swimming and diving coach Jason Mahowald is pleased to announce the addition of 17 individuals set to join the program for the 2021-22 school year.
 
Information on each athlete follows:
 
WOMEN
 
Shannon Banark | Freestyle | Platte City, Mo.
Has qualified for Class 1 state meet in 12 events heading into her senior season while swimming for Platte County High School. Placed sixth in the 100 free and seventh in the 200 IM as a junior while also swimming on relays that finished sixth (200 free) and 12th (200 medley). Was fifth in the 50 free and 10th in the 100 fly as a sophomore after finishing ninth in the 200 IM as a freshman. A four-time conference champion who holds school records in six individual events.
 
Liv Caldwell | Breaststroke | Burnsville, Minn.
A four-time state qualifier in Class AA for the Blaze. Won section title in 50 free as a senior, part of eight top eight finishes in the section meets in her career. National Honor Society member was a four-time All-Conference honoree.
 
Emma Clark | Backstroke | Houston, Texas
Has qualified for the Class 6A state meet in five events over her first three seasons heading into her senior year. A two-time finalist in the 100 back finishing seventh as a junior and ninth as a sophomore. Swam on a third-place 200 medley relay unity as a sophomore.
 
Jessica Coakley | Distance Freestyle | Katy, Texas.
A five-time TAPPS Eastern Region Championship finalist, who placed fourth in the 200 free and ninth in the 500 free as a junior. Also competes for Katy Aquatics and placed third in the 1000 free, fifth in the mile, sixth in the 200 free, seventh in the 500 free, and eighth in the 100 free at the Gulf Short Course Championships.
 
Emily Kahn | Freestyle | Denver, Colo.
A four-event state qualifier in each of her first three seasons for George Washington High School. Was the state runner-up in the 100 free as a junior while also placing fifth in the 200 free. Swam on point scoring relays that got sixth (200 free) and 11th (400 free). Has contributed points for the team standings in all 12 state events she has competed in.
 
Bella Maceranka | Diving | Mission Viejo, Calif.
A two-time state finalist as a freshman and sophomore for Laguna Hills High School. Missed her junior season due to COVID-19.
 
Sophia Mattaini | Fly/Free | Sunfish Lake, Minn.
Part of a program at Visitation High School that has won seven straight Class A state titles. As a junior she placed 10th in the 200 free and 12th in the 100 fly. As a sophomore she was seventh in the 100 fly and 10th in the 200 free.
 
Sara Mayer | Free/Fly | Wausau, Wis.
A seven-event state qualifier in Division I for DC Everest High School in her first three seasons. Placed 11th in the 100 free as junior while also swimming in the 50 free and on 200 free and 200 medley relays. Was a state and national team qualifier for Woodson Y Northern Swimmers.
 
Samantha Mersnick | Diving | St. Charles, Mo.
A member of the St. Louis Diving Club who is a four-time USA diving National Qualifier on one-meter, three-meter and platform events. Owns personal bests of 328.0 on one-meter and 310.0 on three-meter.  Is a member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
 
Mairead Powers | Individual Medley | Broomfield, Colo.
A four-event state qualifier in Class 4A in each of her first three seasons heading into her senior season. She placed fourth in the 500 free and 11th in the 200 IM as a junior while swimming on relays that placed third (400 free) and eighth (200 free). As a sophomore was seventh in the 200 IM and 500 free while swimming on a pair of point-scoring relays.
 
Kate Robbins | Diving | Victoria, Minn.
A three-time varsity letterwinner at Chanhassen High School who made the Dean's List all four years. Earned All-Conference honors and was named team MVP, hardest worker and most improved in her career.
 
Christina Spomer | Freestyle | Omaha, Neb.
A 10-time state placer, five individual and five relays, during her first three high school seasons for Omaha Central. As a junior was third in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free while swimming on relays that placed fifth (200 free) and sixth (400 free). The National Honor Society member placed fourth in the 50 free as a sophomore and third as a freshman.
 
Sophia Vitela | Distance Freestyle | Woodbury, Minn.
Swimming with her club the South East Metro Sharks she finished 13th in the mile and 16th in the 1000 free as a junior at Minnesota Seniors Championships. She placed sixth in the 1000 free at at the FOXJ Winter Classic and posted five top-25 finishes at Minnesota LCM Seniors last long course season.
 
 
MEN
 
Nathan Noll | Free/Fly | Smithville, Mo.
A state qualifier in 14 events over four years for Smithville High School. Was the Class 1 state runner-up in the 100 fly three times. Capped his high school career by swimming on relay teams that placed second (200 free), third (400 free) and fifth (200 medley). As a junior added a third-place effort in the 200 free to go with a fourth in the 200 medley relay and a sixth in the 400 free relay. As a sophomore was fourth in the 200 IM.
 
Dylan Purrington | Breaststroke | Cottage Grove, Minn.
A five-time state qualifier in Class AA for Park High School. Swam in three events at state as a junior finishing 12th in the 100 breaststroke and 19th in the 200 IM while also swimming on the 200 medley relay that placed 12th.
 
Preston Schmeidel | Butterfly | Elk River, Minn.
A six-time state qualifier and four-time state finalist in Class AA for the Elk. Five-time all-conference winner who holds two school records. As a junior was 12th in the 100 fly after finishing 18th as a sophomore and 11th as a freshman.
 
Brodie Watson | Butterfly | Stillwater, Minn.
A three-time all-stater while competing for Stillwater Area High School. Four-time All-Conference performer was part of four sectional championships. Was sixth at the Minnesota Senior State Championships in the 400 IM. Was a State, Regional, Speedo and Junior National finalist while competing for Saint Croix Swim Club.