LITTLE ROCK - The Little Rock swimming and diving team officially completes its incoming class for the 2020-21 season with the addition of seven newcomers to the squad. This group joins the five that committed to the Trojans earlier in the year, bringing the total number of incoming freshmen up to 12.
Join head coach Amy Burgess in welcoming Delaney Crowder (Cypress, Texas), Rylie Discenza (Benton, Ark.), Kasey Dunn (Lawrence, Kan.), Karina Harr (Mesa, Ariz.), Jillian Long (Overland Park, Kan.), Aubry Matthews (Fairview, Texas), and Lexie Shelton (Wichita, Kan.) to Little Rock.
Read more about the incoming Trojans below:
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Delaney Crowder (Cypress, Texas)
A member of the club team Katy Aquatics, Crowder has already put together several events that would make up a strong lineup for the Trojans. Her 100 free (52.65), 200 free (1:54.44), 200 back (2:05.56), and 400 IM (4:37.71) would all have qualified for the B final at the 2020 Missouri Valley Championships, which scores team points at the conference meet. While well-rounded, her 200 back time stands out as already placing her fifth on the Little Rock top times list. Crowder is the 72nd ranked recruit in Texas according to CollegeSwimming, with additional top times of 5:10.22 in the 500 free and 58.59 in the 100 back.
Coach Burgess on Crowder - "Delaney was an important late addition we are excited to welcome. Adding depth to our backstroke and middle distance free groups, Delaney is bringing in a great work ethic that is going to push those around her and help raise the level of the team."
Rylie Discenza (Benton, Ark.)
The sole newcomer joining the Trojans from her home state of Arkansas, Discenza looks to be primarily a backstroker that shows ability in sprint freestyle and breaststroke as well. A member of the Central Arkansas Swim Club, her time of 59.95 in the 100 back would have been just outside qualifying for the C final at the 2020 Missouri Valley Championships, while Discenza's 50 free (25.36), 200 back (2:13.02), and 100 breast (1:10.25) all have the potential to flourish in the collegiate environment as well.
Coach Burgess on Discenza - "I am looking forward to watching Rylie develop in our program. It is always exciting to get some local talent and Rylie is a great addition to the team."
Kasey Dunn (Lawrence, Kan.)
The 12th-ranked swimmer out of Kansas according to CollegeSwimming, Dunn brings a mixed bag to the Trojans, showcasing ability in several different events. For instance, her mid-freestyle is solid, with times of 53.87 and 1:56.34 in the 100 and 200, respectively, but she has also popped a respectable 10:57.95 in the 1000. Dunn's breaststroke has been her most recent improvement, with a time of 1:09.27 in the 100 breast, but she also holds a consistent 100 butterfly mark, with a best 59.31. It will be an interesting journey to find where the Ad Astra Area Aquatics swimmer can find her niche in the roster.
Coach Burgess on Dunn - "We are looking forward to working with Kasey. She has some untapped potential and it will be exciting to watch her develop and see where she can contribute the most."
Karina Harr (Mesa, Ariz.)
A strong breaststroker and butterflier for Mesa Aquatics, Harr has the potential to immediately become a big piece for Little Rock. Her 200 breast time of 2:23.02 as well as 57.33 in the 100 fly would have comfortably qualified her for the B final at the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, while her 1:06.08 100 breast may have been right on the edge of scoring. Between her consistency and strong supplementary events, which include the 200 fly and 200 IM, the 31st ranked Arizona recruit by CollegeSwimming is poised to make an immediate impression.
Coach Burgess on Harr - "We are confident that Karina is going to make a big impact in our short axis strokes. We are looking forward to having her make some waves in our conference."
Jillian Long (Overland Park, Kan.)
Representing the Kansas City Blazers, Long has been steadily progressing over the past few years in several events. Her best races include the 100 back and 100 fly, where she has posted times of 1:01.62 and 1:02.15, respectively, but the 40th ranked swimmer out of Kansas has also been shaving off time from her 50 free lately. While her times are just shy of qualifying for C finals at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, Little Rock may be just what Long needs to continue her improvement.
Coach Burgess on Long - "Growing our group of athletes from Kansas, we are looking forward to welcoming Jill to the team. With her willingness to work and challenge those around her, we are looking forward to using Jill's versatility in a variety of events."
Aubry Matthews (Fairview, Texas)
A sprint freestyler for the club team Metroplex Aquatics, Matthews specializes in the 50 and 100 freestyle, with best times of 25.52 and 54.93 that are just a bit off of qualifying for the C finals at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. While a collegiate atmosphere will definitely develop her abilities even more, it will also be the push she needs to determine the third event in her lineup - likely the 100 backstroke rather than the 200 free, as Matthews, the 193rd ranked recruit in Texas, has proven to have a solid sub-29-second 50 back split in relays.
Coach Burgess on Matthews - "Aubry will help add some depth to our sprint free group. She is a hard worker and one to watch this coming season."
Lexie Shelton (Wichita, Kan.)
The number four recruit coming out of Kansas according to CollegeSwimming, Shelton gets better as the distance increases, but the Wichita Aquatic Shocks swimmer also boasts breaststroke talent in a rare primary stroke combination. Her best times of 2:22.17 in the 200 breast and 4:33.02 in the 400 IM would both place her comfortably in the B final at the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, but her 17:42.90 mile and 1:06.29 100 breast are right on the scoring edge. Currently, her 1000 time of 10:29.52, although not a conference event, would be second on the Little Rock top times list, while her mile and 400 IM would each sit fourth.
Coach Burgess on Shelton - "Lexie brings in a unique line up with distance free and breaststroke strength. She is going to help add depth to some of our needed events and brings great energy to the team."
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For the latest information on Little Rock Swimming and Diving, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSwim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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