June 29, 2010

Seven swimmers will be making the Hilltop their new home, the SMU Men's Swimming and Diving Team announced on Tuesday. The men will have big shoes to fill as the Mustangs graduated a talented class of eight in the spring, but head coach Eddie Sinnott believes the class has the talent and drive to step up to the challenge.

"This is a group of guys that are all on the up-swing of their swimming careers," Sinnott said. "We expect them to improve the way our graduating class did during their time here. If they do that, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, they are all accomplished students and will fit well into the SMU model of a student-athlete."

The class consists of Nicolai Graae (Esbjorg, Denmark), Matt Roney (Lewisville, Texas), Braeden Newton (Alberta, Canada), Giedrius Andriunaitis (Kaunas, Lithuania), Ryan Koops (San Antonio, Texas), Scott McRae (Spring, Texas) and Zach Turner (Fort Collins, Colo.).

The tradition is rich within SMU's Joe Perkins Natatorium, as the team has finished in the top 20 at NCAA Championships 47 times in the last 55 years, including 13 times during Coach Sinnott's 21 year tenure. Coaches Sinnott and Kershaw are dedicated to maintaining that tradition and believe this class will play a key role in that quest.

Nicolai Graae (6'8)50 Free - 19.6100 Free - 43.5200 Free - 1:36.5500 Free - 4:26.8100 Breast - 55.6
Matt Roney (6'1)100 Free - 44.7200 Free - 1:37.8500 Free - 4:29.6100 Fly - 49.3200 Fly - 1:49.8
Braeden Newton (6'2)100 Back - 48.9200 Back - 1:46.0
Giedrius Andriunaitis (6'5)50 Free - 20.7100 Free - 44.7
Ryan Koops (6'4)50 Free - 21.3100 Free - 46.3100 Back - 51.4200 Back - 1:53.4
Scott McRae (6'0)200 IM - 1:52.8400 IM - 4:00.2100 Back - 51.4200 Back - 1:52.3
Zach Turner (6'1)50 Free - 22.1100 Free - 48.9200 Free - 1:46.4