Missouri State Adds to Recruiting Class with Verbal from Distance Swimmer Minki Kang

Minki Kang, of Arkansas Dolphin Laser Swim Team, has verbally committed to Missouri State University.

Kang is originally from South Korea, but moved to the United States two years ago, seeking new educational and athletic opportunities. He told SwimSwam, “It was a big challenge to live [in a] strange country for me because I had to learn [a] different language and culture. I have also had 4 different coaches [in the] last 2 years. It makes it a little hard to swim faster but this is why I’m so excited to swim in college for [a] great team like MSU!!”

Kang will add punch to MSU’s distance free events. Although the Bears dominated the 2014 MAC Championships, they were somewhat under-represented in the longer distance freestyles. Kang’s times over the last two seasons include:

200y free: 1:41.36            200m free: 1:55.84
500y free: 4:27.31            400m free: 4:00.79
1000y free: 9:10.04          800m free: 8:12.95
1650y free: 15:22.47        1500m free: 15:40.02
400y IM: 3:58.99               400m IM: 4:44.39

Kang joins Hungary’s Artúr Osváth who committed last week.

“I chose Missouri State University because I felt that I [was] already part of the team when I met the teammates on my recruiting trip. They always cheer [for] each other, and they are the closest team I’ve ever seen. Also, both the fantastic coaching team and the great group of swimmers helped me to make my decision. I believe MSU is the perfect fit for my goals. I have seen that they are getting bigger and faster [over the] last few years and I believe that MSU could be top 15 in [the] NCAA [in the] next few years. I wish I can be the next qualifier for Olympics and scorer at NCAAs after Paul Le and Uvis Kalnins. I’m looking forward to joining the team.”