Laura Laderoute Commitment Gives Houston Cougars New Backstroke Threat

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Laura Laderoute of the Oregon City Swim Team has verbally committed to the Houston Cougars. She’ll give the program a new backstroke threat of the level the program hasn’t seen since Jessica Horst graduated after the 2009-2010 season.

“I’m very excited about swimming for (head coach) Ryan (Wochumurka) at The University of Houston next year,” Laderoute said. “From the first moment we started talking it was such a positive experience and after my visit to Houston I knew it was where I would be happiest.

“The girls on the team were awesome and so welcoming! I respect Coach Ryan’s commitment to building a team with strong character and values, I trust that he is going to help me to become the best athlete I can be and I can’t wait to start training with him as a Houston Cougar! I am so thankful to my coach Matt Crum, his hard work and dedication to the sport and our team have been key to my success and continued love of swimming!”

Best times in yards:

• 100 back – 55.12
• 200 back – 2:02.38
• 100 breast – 1:07.13
• 200 breast – 2:19.60
• 100 fly – 56.09
• 200 IM – 2:03.49
• 400 IM – 4:23.78

Her best time in the 100 back, done in January of her junior season, would rank her 2nd in program history in the event. Her versatility will also pay off for the Cougars’ free relays, where she could be an immediate contributor with improvements between now and the fall of 2016.

This Houston backstroke group will be one with good depth by the time Horst arrives. Among their freshman class is Greek swimmer Eleanna Koutsouveli – a 1:03.48 long course backstroker who represented her country at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Laderoute holds Canadian citizenship and made one of her goals qualifying for the Canadian Olympic Trials – which she successfully did at this summer’s Futures Championships in Gresham, Oregon in the 100 back and 200 IM. She says that a large portion of her extended family lives in Toronto, so next year’s trials will be almost like a home meet for her.

She is coached by Matt Crum at the Oregon City Swim Team and Katie Wilson at West Linn High School.

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