April 26, 2002

MILWAUKEE - The UWM men's swimming and diving team signed three in-state student-athletes to compete for the Panthers beginning next fall. Brandon Kipp, Rob Vergeer andRyan Frohmader have all signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at UWM beginning the fall of 2002, head coach Dave Clark announced today.

Frohmader, from Verona, Wis., has placed at the Wisconsin state meet numerous times, finishing third in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 100 backstroke in 2002, along with a sixth-place finish in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 freestyle last year. He also placed fourth in the 100 freestyle and seventh in the 100 freestyle at the state meet his sophomore year.

"Ryan is a tremendous student-athlete," head coach Dave Clark said. "He will greatly impact both relays and individual events. I'm looking forward to coaching him for the next four years."

Kipp, from Shorewood, Wis., is the reigning state Division II Swimmer of the Year after winning the 200 IM and 500 freestyle at the state championships this year. In addition, he is the Senior Class President at Shorewood High School.

"Brandon is an extremely solid student-athlete," Clark said. "He has improved steadily over the years. He should continue to improve and really be able to help our program in a number of events."

Vergeer, from West Bend, Wis., finished fourth in the 100 butterfly at the Division I state championships, as well as being a state qualifier in the 50 freestyle.

"Rob has had a solid career," Clark said. "He has moved around over the last few years and has not been able to develop a great continuity in his swimming. He will have an impact on our relays as well as his individual events."

The three signees join two others who signed in the early signing period this past fall. Matthew Carlson, from Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Jeff Jasinowski of Bayside, Wis., have already committed to attend UWM this fall.

The UWM men's swimming and diving team finished fourth at this year's Horizon League Championships, held Feb. 27-March 3 in Chicago. The Panthers also excel in the classroom, having been named Academic All-America as a team by the College Swim Coaches of America Association as recently as this past fall.