The 2017-18 South Dakota State men’s and women’s swimming season kicks off
Nice to Meet You:
Doug Humphrey was hired as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs on May 2017. He most recently served as the head women’s swimming and diving coach at Northern Iowa for five seasons. Elyse Brouillette, who is the first-ever fulltime diving coach for the Jackrabbits, joins Humphrey. Brouilette was hired in August 2017 after spending the last year as a volunteer diving coach at Iowa State where she spent four years on the team. Matthew Carpenter and Kaden Huntrods round out the staff as the graduate assistants.
Man on the Spot:
Junior Wyatt Rumrill will be the highlighted swimmer in the breaststroke this season as he holds the 200-breaststroke school record and ranks second in the 100 breaststroke. Rumrill is going into his third year at State ranked as one of the best breaststroke swimmers in program history. He was on the 2016 All-Summit League team, and on the All-Academic team in the Summit League last year.
Women on the Spot:
Kristin Erf will look to cap off her collegiate career in her last season as a Jackrabbit. Erf, a senior from Oakdale, Minnesota, holds the school and pool record in the 100 breast and ranks third in the 200 breast. She is also a two-time All-Summit League honoree.
Preseason Polls & Watch List
The South Dakota State women's swimming and diving team was picked third with 17 points. The Jacks finished behind Denver, the defending champions, with 25 points and South Dakota with 19 points. Richelle Bruyckere and Kristin Erf were selected for the Athletes to Watch list. Bruyckere finished eighth in the 100 free, sixth in the 200 free and 13th in the 500 free at The Summit League championships last season. The junior was also a member of the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relays that all placed fourth at the championships. Erf placed second in the 100 breast, third in the 200 and fifth in the 50-free breast at the championships.
On the men’s side, the Jacks were picked second behind defending champion, Denver after finishing third last year. Divers Parker Brown and Joseph Weber, along with swimmer Daniel Jacobson were named to the Athletes to Watch list. Brown finished third on the 3-meter dive with a score of 318.80 and eighth on the 1-meter dive (222.70) at The Summit League Championships last season. Weber placed fifth on the 3-meter with a 313.00 and 10th on the 1-meter (240.20) at the championships. Jacobson returns to the water after redshirting last season. The senior holds the school record in the 50 and 100 backstroke and is second in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke.
Head Coach Doug Humphrey Speaks
"I am really looking forward to this upcoming season, not only it being my first season at SDSU, but more importantly seeing this team exceed the successes of the past. We are focused on the growth of every swimmer and diver, in the pool, in the classroom and in life. I can't wait to get the competition started."
Bottom Line:
The Jacks welcome 18 newcomers this season bringing in a new era of Jackrabbit swimming. SDSU is jacked to get the season underway and are looking to reach new heights under Humphrey and Brouillette.