Denniston Announces Additions to the Swim & Dive Squad

LARAMIE, Wyo. (7/2/24) – University of Wyoming swim & dive head coach Dave Denniston announced additions to his team for the 2024-25 season. Below is a list of the incoming Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Jakub Rynkiewicz (Lublin, Poland)

Rynkiewicz is a freestyler and butterflyer from Europe. He swam club for KU AZS UMSC Lublin.

“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 really hit it off, and Jonathan decided to join our staff as an assistant coach. Jakub has the talent to go to NCAA's and we are looking forward to taking him there from Laramie.”

Joe Morales (Denton, Texas)

Morales is a breaststroker and a freestyler from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He swam for Guyer High School.

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

Taylor Cureton (Apex, North Carolina)

Cureton is a sprint freestyler and a butterflyer from just west of Raleigh. She swam club for the TAC Titans.

“Taylor Cureton's competitiveness is what drew us to her,” associate head coach Kristin Walker said. “She does not like to lose and made it clear in the recruiting process that she wants to sprint every single stroke and does not limit herself to any single event.”

Savannah McVey (Imperial Beach, California)

McVey is a breaststroker and freestyler from just south of San Diego. She swam club for the Coronado Swim Association.

“Savannah McVey is a breaststroker and sprinter from San Diego,” Walker said. “She made her first impression by showing up to her campus visit with cowgirl boots on and as we got to know her more we knew our team needed her.”

Ava Salverson (Peoria, Illinois)

Salverson is a freestyler and breaststroker from central Illinois. She swam club for the Peoria Area Water Wizards.

“Ava Salverson is someone who showed immense dedication throughout the recruiting process,” Denniston said. “She's a straight-A student who seems to be improving every time she races. I think she will only get better as a Cowgirl.” 

Jonah Mann (Knoxville, Tennessee)

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

“We are looking forward to seeing what Jonah Mann can do on the boards,” Denniston said. “Mark Murdock knows how athletic he is, and we are fortunate to have him help round out our diving program.”

Taylor Craft (New Mexico State)

Craft is a sprint freestyler and breaststroker from Katy, Texas. She spent her first collegiate swim season at New Mexico State University.

“Taylor Craft is a breaststroker and freestyler from Katy, TX/New Mexico State University,” Walker said. “She is going to bring a lot of energy and fun to practices, and we can't wait to have her.”

Emilie Coleman (Evergreen, Colorado)

Coleman is a breaststroker from the Denver area. She competed for Conifer High School and club for Foothills Swim Team.

“Emilie Coleman caught our attention at a club meet last summer,” Walker said. “She is a naturally talented breaststroker, and we can't wait to get to work with her.”

Zach Smith (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Smith is a sprint freestyler from the east coast. He competed for Millbrook High School and club for New Wave Swim Team.

“Zack Smith fell in love with the outdoors and all that Wyoming provides,” Denniston said. “We are excited to add him to our sprint crew and think he will progress rapidly as a swimmer and probably more rapidly as a fly fisherman.”

Andrew Cooper (Henderson, Nevada)

Cooper is a distance swimmer from the Las Vegas area. He competed for Basic High School and club at Boulder City Henderson Heatwave.

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

Luke O’Connor (Auckland, New Zealand)

O’Conner is a sprint freestyler from across the Pacific. He competed for ACG Strathllan and club at Pukekohe Swimming Club.

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

Chayse Schierkolk (Evansville, Wyoming)

Schierkolk is a sprint freestyle from the middle of the state. She competed for Kelly Walsh High School and club at Casper Swim Club.

“Chayse Schierkolk is a Wyoming girl through and through,” Walker said. “She is coming off of leading Kelly Walsh to a state championship, winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle.”

Abby Bruss (Germantown, Wisconsin)

Bruss is a butterflyer and breaststroker from the Milwaukee area. She competed for Germantown High School and club at Rocket Aquatics.

“Abby Bruss is another who is a perfect fit for our Cowgirl tough culture,” Walker said. “She is gritty and going to outwork anyone. She will add a lot of depth to our short axis group.”

Avery True (Kansas City, Missouri)

True is a mid-distance freestyler from Kansas City. She competed for Liberty North High School and club at Tsunami Swim Team of KC.

“Avery True is an amazing racer who perfectly fit the "Cowgirl tough" mentality we look to recruit,” Walker said. “She will contribute immediately on our relays and raising the overall level of competition on our team every day at practice.”

MaKenna Reiner (Thorton, Colorado)

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

“MaKenna Reiner is the teammate that everyone wants to have,” Walker said. “She is kind, steadfast, and will contribute not just in our IM group but to our team culture, as well.”

Gray Sisco (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Sisco is a sprint freestyler from the Twin Cities. He competed for Wayzata High School and club at Aquajets.

“I met Gray Sisco last summer and could tell he wanted to come to Wyoming and be a Cowboy,” Denniston said. “We are building up a strong sprinting program, and I anticipate Gray being a major contributor to that group.”

Macey Hansen (Columbia, Missouri)

Hansen is a distance swimmer from the middle of Missouri. She competed for Battle High School and club at Columbia Swim Club

“Macey Hansen is a distance phenom who will add tremendously to our distance group,” Walker said. “She gets better and better the longer she goes and has garnered many podium finishes at major club meets since her commitment. Macey has already demonstrated great leadership skills and we can't wait to have her wearing the brown and gold.”