University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Sign 6 Swimmers in 2012 Class
January 10, 2012 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 10, 2012
The Tennessee men's swimming and diving program has signed six swimmers for the 2012 signing class, interim head coach Lars Jorgensen announced.
The six signees include: Gustav Lejdstrom of Helsingborg, Sweden; Trevor Leland of Northvale, N.J.; Sean Lehane of Naperville, Ill.; Manny Mendoza of Round Rock, Texas; Ryan Signorin of East Windsor, N.J.; and Timothy Wylie of Dripping Springs, Texas.
For a look at each of the signees:
Gustav Lejdstrom
Hometown: Helsingborg, Sweden
Events: Freestyle
Lejdstrom has already received national acclaim in Sweden for his distance swimming, having recently won the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2011 Swedish Long Course Nationals in 15 minutes, 14.51 seconds. He is not just limited to the long distance races though; in November, he won the 400 freestyle in the Swedish Short Course Nationals.
Jorgensen's Quote: "Gustav is a very versatile swimmer from Sweden who can help us in many events and relays. He could be one of the best international swimmers we've had in program history."
Trevor Leland
Hometown: Northvale, N.J.
Events: Distance freestyle/Butterfly
Leland is a member of the New Jersey Wave club team while also competing for Old Tappan High School. As a junior, he broke school records in the 200 freestyle (1:44.39) and the 500 freestyle (4:39.40). He has competed at the US Junior Nationals every year since 2008 and was invited in spring 2011 to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jorgensen's Quote: "He's a really hard worker, and I think he's going to look to help us out in butterfly, which we need some depth in, and distance freestyle as well."
Sean Lehane
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
Events: Backstroke/Freestyle
Lehane has already qualified for the 2012 US Olympic Trials in the 200-meter backstroke and has some international competition, having traveled to Osaka, Japan, last year. He swims with the Academy Bullets Swim Club, and as a part of Naperville Central High School's swim team, he was an All-American in the 100-yard backstroke and 400 freestyle relay. He is in his second year serving as his team's captain.
Jorgensen's Quote: "Sean is a very talented backstroker. He has great potential to be an NCAA qualifier his freshman year. He'll help us on some relays, and we're looking for some big things from him. He's a 17-year-old senior, and we think he has the potential to be very good."
Manny Mendoza
Hometown: Round Rock, Texas
Events: IM/Distance Freestyle
Like Lehane, Mendoza has already clocked a qualifying time for the summer's US Olympic Trials. The versatile swimmer recorded the trials cut in the 400 IM. He is a member of the Nitro Swimming club, where he has primarily competed in the individual medleys and distance freestyle events.
Jorgensen's Quote: "Manny is a versatile IM-er and distance swimmer. He's going to be a really hard worker, and he'll look to come in and help us out in his events."
Ryan Signorin
Hometown: East Windsor, N.J.
Events: Freestyle/Butterfly
Signorin was an All-American the last two years while swimming for Peddie School and Peddie Aquatics Association. His older brother, Connor, swims for the Florida Gators. He has lettered for his high school for four years, serving the last two as captain. In 2011, he swam the fastest time in New Jersey in the 500 freestyle (4:28.83) and was fourth in both the 200 freestyle (1:42.31) and 200 IM (1:53.96).
Jorgensen's Quote: "Ryan is potentially a really good swimmer. He can swim a lot of different events. I think he can be a future NCAA All-American. He's going to be really hard working and someone who's going to lead us in the future."
Timothy Wylie
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Events: Backstroke/Freestyle
Wylie has been competing for the West Austin Aquatics while also swimming for Dripping Springs High School, where he is a two-time All-American. He was the 2010 state champion in the 100-meter backstroke. As a junior, he placed third in both the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle. He is a Scholastic All-American as well and plans to major in accounting.
Jorgensen's Quote: "Timothy a really versatile swimmer too. We've had some good swimmers from Texas, and we hope he can come in and help us out his freshman year."
