Six men, three women sign with Wayland Baptist swimming

The following is a press release courtesy of Wayland Baptist University:

Wayland Baptist’s swim program recently added nine freshman recruits – six men and three women – from as close as Lubbock to as far away as Washington.

Joining the Pioneers’ men’s team are:

–Aaron Pena, a three-time all-district swimmer from San Antonio’s Fox Tech High School: “Aaron is going to add depth in our butterfly and sprint freestyle events,” Wayland coach Allyson Hannan said.

–Alex Heil, the Most Outstanding Male Swimmer last season at Amarillo Tascosa High School: “Alex will be one of our sprinters in the sprint freestyles,” Hannan said.

–Manny Griego, a district and regional champion from El Paso Eastwood who narrowly missed qualifying for state: “Manny will be one of our distance specialists,” Hannan said.

–Jake Farley, a standout sprinter from Lubbock High: “He’s going to add more depth to our sprint program,” Hannan said.

–Ethan Nicholson, an all-around swimmer from Sumner who attended North Lamar High School: “Ethan will add depth to our freestyle, backstroke and butterfly,” Hannan said.

–Nathan Roman of Lubbock Coronado: “Nathan will add depth to our mid-distance freestyle events,” Hannan said.

Joining the WBU women’s swim team are:

–Ayrial Hiracheta, a team co-captain and district champion from Lubbock Monterey: “Ayrial will help us establish our sprint freestyle,” Hannan said.

–Miley Olberg of Washington, whose sister swam at Sooner Athletic Conference rival Oklahoma Baptist University: “She’s going to be one of our distance freestylers,” Hannan said.

–Hannah Ray of Russellville, Ark., who placed second at state in the 100-yard breaststroke and who swam for Hannan on her club team when the coach lived in Conway, Ark.: “She will add depth to our breaststroke as well as freestyle events,” Hannan said.

The signees join Darby DeHass of Lubbock Coronado, who signed with Wayland in November.

Hannan said she expects to bring in “a few more” swimmers to her program, which in its first year finished 10^th in the NAIA. The WBU men placed eighth and the women 16^th.