Denniston Announces Additions to Swimming and Diving Team

LARAMIE, Wyoming (02/07/24) – Head Swimming and Diving Coach at the University of Wyoming Dave Denniston announced additions to its roster for the 2024-25 season. Below is a list of the new Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Jakub Rynkiewicz (Lublin, Poland)

Rynkiewicz is a European freestyle and butterfly swimmer. He swam with the KU AZS UMSC Lublin club.

“Jakub Rynkiewicz has already made a major contribution to our team by being recruited by Jonathan Reeder “At Lindenwood,” Denniston said. “After they cut the program, we reached out to Jakub and we really hit it off, and Jonathan decided to join our staff as an assistant coach. Jakub has the talent to go to the NCAA and we’re looking forward to taking him there from Laramie.”

Joe Morales (Denton, Texas)

Morales is a breaststroke and freestyle swimmer from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He swam for Guyer High School.

“Joe Morales also came to Laramie via Lindenwood,” Denniston said. “He’s lost a lot of time in the breaststroke and sprint events, and I think he has the work ethic to shine as one of our top breaststrokers.”

Taylor Cureton (Apex, North Carolina)

Cureton is a sprint freestyle and butterfly swimmer from west Raleigh. She swam on the TAC Titans club.

“It was Taylor Cureton’s competitiveness that attracted us to her,” said associate head coach Kristin Walker “She doesn’t like to lose and made it clear during the recruiting process that she wanted to sprint every shot and wasn’t limiting herself to any particular event.”

Savannah McVey (Imperial Beach, California)

McVey is a breaststroke and freestyle swimmer from South San Diego. She swam with the Coronado Swim Association.

“Savannah McVey is a breaststroke swimmer and sprinter from San Diego,” Walker said. “She made her first impression by showing up to her campus tour wearing cowgirl boots, and as we got to know her better, we knew our team needed her.”

Ava Salverson (Peoria, Illinois)

Salverson is a freestyle and breaststroke swimmer from central Illinois. She was a member of the Peoria Area Water Wizards swim club.

“Ava Salverson has shown tremendous dedication throughout the recruiting process,” Denniston said. “She’s a great student who seems to get better with every race. I think she’s only going to get better as a cowgirl.”

Jonah Mann (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Mann is a diver from northeast Tennessee who competed for Hardin Valley Academy.

“We can’t wait to see what Jonah Mann can do on stage,” Denniston said.Mark Murdock knows how athletic he is, and we are fortunate to have him to help us complement our diving program.

Taylor Craft (New Mexico State)

Craft is a sprint freestyle and breaststroke specialist from Katy, Texas. She spent her freshman season of collegiate swimming at New Mexico State University.

“Taylor Craft is a breaststroke and freestyle specialist from Katy, Texas, and New Mexico State University,” Walker said. “She will bring a lot of energy and fun to practice, and we are excited to have her join us.”

Emilie Coleman (Evergreen, Colorado)

Coleman is a breaststroke swimmer from the Denver area. She competed for Conifer High School and the Foothills Club Swim Team.

“Emilie Coleman caught our eye at a club meeting last summer,” Walker said. “She’s a naturally talented brewer and we’re looking forward to working with her.”

Zach Smith (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Smith is a freestyle sprinter from the East Coast. He competed for Millbrook High School and the New Wave Swim Team club.

“Zack Smith has fallen in love with the great outdoors and everything Wyoming has to offer,” Denniston said. “We are excited to add him to our sprint team and believe he will progress quickly as a swimmer and likely even faster as a fly fisherman.”

Andrew Cooper (Henderson, Nevada)

Cooper is a distance swimmer from the Las Vegas area. He competed for high school and the Boulder City Henderson Heatwave club.

“Andrew Cooper was our first choice in this category and as a distance swimmer I think he’s looking forward to the benefits of altitude training,” Denniston said. “He’s going to be a major contributor to our long races.”

Luke O’Connor (Auckland, New Zealand)

O’Conner is a freestyle sprinter from across the Pacific who has competed for ACG Strathllan and Pukekohe Swimming Club.

“Luke O’Connor is another international athlete from New Zealand,” Denniston said. “The New Zealand swimmers we’ve had in the past have been leaders in our program, school record holders and conference champions. I expect nothing less from Luke.”

Chayse Schierkolk (Evansville, Wyoming)

Schierkolk is a freestyle sprinter from the central part of the state. She competed for Kelly Walsh High School and the Casper Swim Club.

“Chayse Schierkolk is a Wyoming girl at heart,” Walker said. “She just led Kelly Walsh to the state championship, winning the 50 and 100 freestyles.”

Abby Bruss (Germantown, Wisconsin)

Bruss is a butterfly and breaststroke specialist from the Milwaukee area who competed for Germantown High School and Rocket Aquatics.

“Abby Bruss is another player that fits right into our cowgirl culture,” Walker said. “She’s gritty and will outwork anyone. She’ll add a lot of depth to our short center group.”

Avery True (Kansas City, Missouri)

True is a middle distance freestyle swimmer from Kansas City. She competed for Liberty North High School and the KC Tsunami Swim Team.

“Avery True is an incredible runner who fits perfectly with the ‘tough cowgirl’ mentality we are looking to recruit,” Walker said. “She will immediately contribute to our relays and elevate our team’s overall competitive level every day in practice.”

MaKenna Reiner (Thorton, Colorado)

Reiner is an IMer from the Denver area. She competed for Riverdale Ride High School and the Front Range Barracudas club.

“MaKenna Reiner is the teammate everyone wants to have,” Walker said. “She is kind, determined and will contribute not only to our IM group, but to our team culture.”

Gray Sisco (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Sisco is a freestyle sprinter from the Twin Cities. He competed for Wayzata High School and the Aquajets club.

“I met Gray Sisco last summer and knew he wanted to come to Wyoming and be a Cowboy,” Denniston said. “We’re building a strong sprint program and I expect Gray to be a major contributor to that group.”

Macey Hansen (Columbia, Missouri)

Hansen is a distance swimmer from central Missouri who competed for Battle High School and the Columbia Swim Club.

“Macey Hansen is a distance phenomenon who will make a huge contribution to our distance group,” Walker said. “She has been improving with each passing mile and has secured numerous podium finishes at major club events since joining. Macey has already demonstrated great leadership qualities and we look forward to seeing her wear the maroon and gold jersey.”