Spartan Swimming And Diving Sign Six On Men's Side
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Nov. 22, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Head swimming and diving coach Matt Gianiodis recently announced that six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Michigan State. All six of the high school seniors hail from Michigan, they include: Sho Koba (Ann Arbor/Pioneer), Jon LaRocque (Bay City/John Glenn), Garret Ruhland (Lake Orion), Joe Schmitt (Grand Haven), Gabe Strickler (Midland/Dow) and Ivan Zalessov (Okemos). The recruiting class is viewed as one of the finest in recent years.
"Most of all I want to make sure the proper credit goes to Kathleen (Milloy), Manny (Noguchi) and Eric (Best) - they really made this happen," remarked Gianiodis. "We are under the gun a bit because we graduate a very good senior class but I think we're off to a pretty good start. This time of year coaches speak in superlatives all the time, but this is the best start to a class we've had here in more than a decade."
A 2005 high school State Champion in the 100 and 200 freestyle, Sho Koba earned All-American accolades in both events as well. At MSU, Koba is expected to make an immediate impact in individual events and should be able to fill voids due to graduation on many of the Spartan relay teams.
"Sho really could have gone to any school in the country and we are fortunate he selected to go here," Gianiodis stated. "He is going to help us individually in the freestyle events and he is going to be a big help in all of our relays."
Jon LaRocque was a 2005 state runner-up in the 200 IM and 100 freestyle, also earning high school All-American honors in both events. A versatile swimmer, LaRocque should have much success at Michigan State.
"Jon is going to be a multiple-event kid for us and I think he has a good chance to be a varsity record holder in the 200 IM at MSU."
A state finalist in the 50 and 100 freestyle, Garrett Ruhland's performances brought him All-American honorable mention recognition. Familiar with State after attending Spartan swimming camps, Ruhland is a good fit for the program.
"Garrett is very athletic and he has such a great attitude," Gianiodis said. "Our relationship started at camp and he is a big Spartan fan. He is going to really improve and he fits the mold of those who have done very well here at MSU."
Joe Schmitt is also no stranger to Spartan swimming, as Schmitt is becoming a family name at State. Joe is the younger brother of sophomore standout, sprinter Adam Schmitt. Joe was a state finalist in the 50 and 100 freestyle, as well as an All-American in both events last season.
"Obviously we know the family well and Joe is another great Michigan high school talent. He was All-State in water polo this year and he is primed to have a great senior year for Grand Haven. He will provide more strength for our relays."
A fierce competitor who is still growing as a swimmer, Gabe Strickler swam to a state runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke and was a finalist in the 100 butterfly in 2005, earning All-American accolades four times.
"Gabe has great versatility and he has immense potential," Gianiodis stated. "He is going to have to come in right away and perform but we think he has the ability to be very good in the Big Ten and at the national level."
Ivan Zalessov is the lone diver in the group and was a state finalist on the one-meter spring board. Having worked with head diving coach Eric Best in the summer, Zalessov will arrive in East Lansing with a good grasp of the training philosophies at State.
"Ivan has a good platform list and we really need that. He has a great comfort level with MSU and with Eric. With experience he could be a very good diver at the Big Ten level."
"I think our recent success, and more importantly our team's attitude and behavior, is changing the perception of our program with in-state recruits," Gianiodis added. "We're fortunate because these kids looked at everything associated with our program from our academics all the way to our student managers. What makes it particularly impressive are the programs these kids turned down to come to MSU."
Players Mentioned
