LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 8, 2019) — Wyoming head swimming and diving coach Dave Denniston announced the addition of 15 student-athletes to attend the University of Wyoming beginning in the fall of 2019.
 
"I'm overjoyed to have another outstanding class of student-athletes join our program," Denniston said. "They all bring their own unique spirit, but also have the drive to be successful in the classroom, the pool and the community. The hard work our coaching staff has put in to sign these young people really shines with this class. They will be a lot of fun to work with over the next four years."
 
Here are the signees:
 
Claire Becker, Missoula, Mont. (Hellgate HS):  A four-time letterwinner in swimming while attending Hellgate High School. She is a three-time all-state selection, while helping her team to three straight state championships. A two-time team captain, she finished top eight in the state the past three seasons. Besides swimming, Becker also lettered in soccer. She was coached in high school by Helen Houlihan. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society and on the honor roll. Becker is the daughter of Ned and Kimberlee Becker. Has two siblings, Ellee and Dane.
 
"Claire is going to fit in very well with our distance group. We are extremely excited about her academics, as she comes with an outstanding gpa and test scores. The future is bright for her."
 
Samantha Covello, Tucson, Ariz. (Homeschooled):  A four-time All-Southern Arizona selection under Christopher Harrison. As a senior, she placed third in the 100 backstroke and fifth at the Meet of Champions which is all divisions combined. She holds six Tucson High School records and was named the Southern Arizona Division I Athlete of the Year as a junior. The daughter of James and Susan Covello. Has three siblings, Heather, Nathan and Kristen. Sister, Kristen is a current member of the Cowgirl squad.
 
"We have a solid tradition of siblings on our team, and we are happy to continue that with Sam. She is a versatile swimmer with backstroke and freestyle as her specialty. She is also another swimmer who will excel academically."
 
Emily Giles, Oswego, Ill. (Oswego HS):  A four-time All-Conference selection while attending Oswego High School. She was named an All-American and All-State twice, while being elected a team captain her senior season. She helped lead her team to four conference championships and has placed in the top eight at the state meet three times. She is coached by Deryl Leubner. An excellent student, she was a member of the honor roll. Giles is the daughter of Tony and Kathy Giles. Has two siblings, Hannah and Olivia.
 
"We are starting to sign some really big talent out of Illinois, and Emily is no exception. She brings a strong swimming background, top academics, but more importantly, she's a natural leader. Emily will be instrumental in developing Cowgirl success in the future."
 
Oskar Iwarsson, Sollentuna, Sweden (Rudbeck): A three-time Swedish junior national team member. He won the Swedish age group championship in the 200 butterfly in 2015 and the Nordic age group in the 100 butterfly. He is the son of Peter and Helene Iwarsson.
 
"Oskar is one of our international athletes that just clicked with the entire team while he was on his visit. He specializes in the butterfly and there is no doubt he will have a significant presence on our team."
 
Riley Klawiter, Spring, Texas (Klein Oak HS):  A three-year letterwinner while attending Klein Oak High School. Klawiter was a regional finalist in six events over the past two seasons, which included four individual and two relay events. She also swam for the Swim Streamline Junior National Team. Coached by Kyle Subda. A member of the Honor Roll and the Spanish National Honor Society. Klawiter is the daughter of Russ Slawiter and Cindy Daspit. Has on brother, Tyler, who swims at the University of Utah.
 
"Riley is a strong student with all of the physical tools a swimmer needs to be successful. She has a fun personality that her teammates will enjoy being around. Developing her talent the next four years is going to be a lot of fun for our coaching staff."
 
Aron Markow, Suquamish, Wash. (NFC Academy):  A two-time varsity letterwinner while attending NFC Academy. He was a part of two WIAA Championships and reached the finals of the 100 breaststroke as a freshman. During his junior campaign, he was a part of the 200 medley relay that set a Washington State 2A record and placed second in the 100 breaststroke. Markow was also a Winter Juniors and Futures 2018 qualifier in the 100 breaststroke. An excellent student, he was a USA Swimming Scholastic and All-American Scholastic honoree, while being a member of the honor roll. The son of Sam and Yun Cheng Markow. Has two siblings, Sean and Joshua.
 
"Aron has been coming to swim camps since he was a very young. He continues to develop and get better at the breaststroke events, as well as excelling in school. He's going to be very successful in life, and we are thrilled he chose to make Wyoming part of that journey."
 
Emma Mehl, El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Oak Ridge High School): A four-year varsity letterwinner while attending Oak Ridge High School. Mehl was a three-time team MVP and won the coaches award as a sophomore. She made the 2018 Junior National Open Water Cut in 2018. She is the daughter of Dave and Sue Mehl, plus has one sibling, Ben.
 
"Emma is an outstanding distance swimmer who will help us in the 500, the mile and the 400 IM. She connected with our team and will fit right in as she is smart and works hard. Her future is bright."
 
Robert Mitchell, Napa, Calif. (Napa HS):  Had a four-year career while attending Napa High School. He made it to the Winter Junior Nationals in the 400 and 800 freestyle. An excellent student, he earned Scholastic All-American honors while being on the honor roll. He was also involved in several scholastic activities. The son of Richard and Deb Mitchell. 
 
"Robert is a young man, that when you meet him, you can tell he is a leader. He has a very humble but charismatic disposition and he is always striving to be better. There really isn't a limit on what Robert can do at Wyoming."
 
Melissa Mirafuentes, Guadalupe, Mexico (Preparatoria 9):  A very successful diver while attending Preparatoria 9 School. Over the last five years, she finished in the top three at Nationals and twice to the PanAm games. Mirafuentes earned a Gold medal three-times in the 1-meter board and the silver in the 3-meter and platform. In all, she has collected 13 medals between all three boards. She is the daughter of Miguel and Rosy Mirafuentes. Has a sibling, Daniela. 
 
"Melissa is a wonderful addition to the diving roster. She has a long list of success in her competition history and will come compete with the best in the Mountain West."
 
Cameron Murphy, Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS):  A four-year letterwinner while attending Liberty High School. He is a three-time All-Conference selection and holds records in both the 200 and 500 freestyle. He was coached by Chris Murphy. An excellent student, he is a member of the National Honor Society and the commissioner of the LINK Crew. Murphy is the son of Chris and Linda. Has one brother, Caden.
 
"Cam is a very tough and smart athlete. He is very solid in the mile and 200 butterfly while excelling in the classroom. I'm excited to see what he brings to our program, because he is going to excel at whatever he decides to do."
 
Jesse Paxton, Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas):  A four-year letterwinnner while attending St. Thomas Aquinas High School. A team captain, she holds the school record in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 medley relay. An All-State selection in 2018, she helped in team to a state championship while earning honors in the 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle and medley relays. Paxton made the sectional cut in three events and the NCSA Junior National Cut in the 100 breaststroke. An excellent student, she is a member of the Honor Roll and the Missouri Valley All-Academic Team. She is the daughter of Jeff and Jodi Paxton. 
 
"Jesse is from a very athletic family and will help our women's team in the breaststroke events. She connected with everyone on the team on her visit and exudes a charismatic personality that will make her a leader in the program. We are excited to have her in our program."
 
Claire Rankin, San Antonio, Texas (Lutheran HS):  A First Team TISCA All-State selection while attending Lutheran High School. Rankin was a two-time Second Team TISCA All-State selection while helping her team to a TAPPS State Championship her junior year. She finished in top three in three events over the last two seasons including a first place finish in the 500 freestyle. She was on the 200 Freestyle relay team that broke the state record. An excellent student, she is a three-time Academic All-State selection along with being on the honor roll. Rankin is the daughter of Kevin and Brenda Rankin.  
 
"Claire is someone that can really swim well in about every event. She's another example of the emphasis our team puts on academics, and I think she's the type of student-athlete that will improve and grow dramatically over her time here."
 
Andrew Rodriguez, Walnut Creek, Calif.  (Northgate HS):  A three-time letterwinner while attending Northgate High School. As a junior, he was an All-American in two events and placed third in the 100 backstroke. In 2017, Rodriguez was a CIF State Champion in the 400 freestyle relay and a two-time NCS conference champion in two events. He also helped the team to a second place finish in the CIF State Meet. Rodriguez is the son of Dennis and Debbie. Has two siblings, Kelsey and Kayla.    
 
"Andrew is going to be a key part of the program right when he steps on campus. A very talented athlete that gets faster every time he jumps in the pool, he will blossom here at Wyoming as an athlete and person."
 
Olivia Staver, Bettendorf, IA (Pleasant Valley HS): A three-time First Team All-Conference selection in the 200 and 500 freestyle along with the 200 and 400 freestyle medley relays. She helped her team to the state runner up spot in 2016 while attending Pleasant Valley High School. She is a two-time High School MVP and a team captain. An excellent student, she was a member of the National Honor Society, an Academic All-Conference selection and a member of the Honor Roll. Staver is the daughter Don and Jenny. She has four siblings.
 
"Libby is a talented freestyler that can swim every freestyle event very well. We are excited to have her on the team to be a racer for a multitude of events, especially relays."
 
Caleb Worshek, Huntsville, Ala. (Homeschooled):  A two-time NCSA qualifier, he recently qualified for the junior nationals. Worshek was a Southeastern Swimming Long and Short Course Finalist in 2017-18 and a Southern Zone Finalist in 2018. During his junior year, he swam for Buckhorn High School. He finished second at state in the 100 breaststroke and helped the team to a Madison County Championship. Coached by Matt Webber. He earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American Award. The son of Curt and Cari Worshek and has three siblings, Chis, Ryan and Riley.
 
"Caleb is set to really break out and become one of the best swimmers at Wyoming, potentially one of the best in the country. We are looking forward to watching him race."