VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota head swimming and diving coach Jason Mahowald is pleased to announce the addition of 14 individuals set to join the program for the 2023-24 school year.
 
Information on each athlete follows:
 
WOMEN
 
Lauren Anderson | Back | Mitchell, S.D.
Posted seven top 12 finishes at the 2022 South Dakota Long Course Championships. Competed in five events at the Speedo Sectionals in 2022. Competed in nine events, six individual and three relays, at the South Dakota short course 13 & over State A Championships. The National Honors Society member plans to study business at South Dakota.
 
Zoe Afman | Breast/IM | Lakewood, Colo.
A four-event state qualifier in 2022 for Dakota Ridge High School in Colorado Class 4A. She swam on a fourth-place 200 free relay and a fifth-place 200 medley relay for the Eagles. She placed 14th in the 100 breast after finishing 16th in the event in 2021. The Speedo sectional finalist and honor roll student plans to study exercise science at South Dakota.
 
Gabbie Ahrendt | Free | Sioux Falls, S.D.
The ten-time state champion attends Harrisburg High School. She is a state, sectional and futures qualifier who holds one individual state record in South Dakota, the 100 IM. The National Honors Society member and honor roll student plans to study medical biology at South Dakota.
 
Anna Balfanz | Back | Baraboo, Wis.
A 10-time state qualifier, with eight top ten finishes, over four years at Baraboo High School in Wisconsin Division II. Became just the second individual in school history to win a state title when she captured the 100 back in 2022. Placed fifth in the 50 free and swam on a state runner-up 200 medley relay and a sixth-place 400 free relay in 2022. The all-state swimmer and honor roll student plans to study kinesiology & sports management at South Dakota.
 
Taylor Horan | Free | Fayetteville, Ark.
A four-event state qualifier and 12-time state placer in each of her first three seasons at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas Class 6A. Placed fourth in the 200 free and seventh in the 100 free at the 2022 state meet. Swam the leadoff legs on a pair of fourth-place relays, the 200 medley and 400 free. The futures medalist plans to study physical therapy at South Dakota.
 
Bri Ruark | Fly | Niotaze, Kan.
An eight-time state champion while competing for Skyview High School in Idaho Class 4A. Won four state titles, two individual and two relays, as a senior, setting state records in all four events as Skyview won the state championship in 2022. Won the 100 fly and 500 free while helping the Hawks win the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay in 2022. Also won the 100 fly state title in 2021. The 4.0 honor roll student and futures qualifier plans to study psychology at South Dakota.
 
MEN
 
Teague Bates | Diving | Highland Village, Texas
The three-time district and regional qualifier was a state qualifier in 2022 for Marcus High School. Finished 17th in the state meet in 2022. He is a USA National qualifier and finalist, a two-time USA Diving regional qualifier and finalist as well as an AAU national qualifier and finalist. The honor roll student and National Society of High School Scholars member plans to study medical biology at South Dakota.
 
Zachary Bratz | Free/Fly | West Des Moines, Iowa
A five-event state qualifier over the last two seasons for Valley High School. Placed sixth in the state meet 100 fly while also finishing 11th in the 200 free in 2022. Swam the leadoff leg on an 11th-place 200 free relay.
 
James Coffey | Free | Waukee, Iowa
A member of back-to-back state championship teams at Waukee High School who is completing his senior season competing for first-year Northwest High School. A three-year state qualifier in the 500 free who placed third in 2022 and fifth in 2021. A five-time state placer plans to study business administration at South Dakota.
 
Joaquin Contreras-Fallico | Back | Wheat Ridge, Colo.
A four-event state qualifier each of the last two seasons for Wheat Ridge High School in Colorado Class 4A. He was the state runner-up in the 100 back while also placing fifth in the 100 fly in 2022. He finished 10th in the 100 fly and 14th in the 100 back in 2021. He swam on point producing relays the 200 medley and 400 free in each season. The All-State and All-Conference swimmer plans to study business at South Dakota.
 
Nathan Langstraat | Free | Woodbury, Minn.
A five-event state qualifier over the last two seasons for East Ridge High School in Minnesota Class AA. He placed 11th in the 200 free and 14th in the 500 free at the 2022 state meet while also swimming on a fifth-place 400 free relay. The All-State swimmer was a four-time All-Conference honoree. The honor roll student plans to study physical therapy at South Dakota.
 
Charlie Matthews | Diving | Overland Park, Kan.
A three-time state diving qualifier for Olathe East High School in Kansas Class 6A. Won the state championships as a sophomore in 2021 and finished third as a junior in 2022. Helped Olathe East finish as state runners-up in 2020 and 2021. The honor roll student, who also participated in football and golf, plans to study business at South Dakota.
 
Tanner Reed | Fly | Denver, Colo.
The prep All-American qualified for the state meet in four events in each of the last two seasons for George Washington High School in Colorado Class 4A. He swam the lead off leg as the Patriots won the state title in the 200 free relay in 2022. He placed sixth in the 100 fly and seventh in the 200 free while also leading off a fifth-place 200 medley relay. He was eighth in the 100 fly and 12th in the 200 free in the 2021 state meet while also swimming on a pair of scoring relays, the 200 and 400 free. The AP Scholar and honor roll student plans to study medical biology at South Dakota.
 
Dean Wall | Free | Hoschton, Ga.
A three-year state qualifier for Cherokee Bluff in Georgia 1-5A state meet. He swam to second place finishes in the 50 free and 100 free at the 2022 state meet. The futures finalist, who competed at the Southeastern Zones age group championships, served as an athlete representative for Georgia Swimming in 2022. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American plans to study exercise science at South Dakota.