DCST Senior Swimmers Make College Commitments

DCST senior swimmers Chad Thompson and Casey Jepsen have committed to swim for Xavier and Truman State University respectively.  Thompson will be joining former DCST swimmer, David Gordon, who graduated in 2009 at Xavier.  Xavier is a member of the Atlantic 10 conference as is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri.  The Truman women’s swim team has won 7 NCAA Division II National Titles since 2001.

                Below is an article from the DeKalb Chronicle about Thompson’s commitment to Xavier.

Thompson part of line of Division I swimmers at Kish YMCA

JON STYF - jstyf@daily-chronicle.com   

DeKalb-Sycamore co-op swim team member Chad Thompson works on his technique at practice at DeKalb High School on Friday. Beck Diefenbach – bdiefenbach@daily-chronicle.com DeKALB – The area's biggest Division I athletics pipeline isn't a basketball or football team.

Instead, it's the Kishwaukee YMCA's swim team, which consistently feeds the DeKalb/Sycamore co-op swim team with not only coaches but also a bevy of talented swimmers with big aspirations.

Most recently it was DeKalb High senior Chad Thompson, who signed just under a month ago to join graduated senior David Gordon at Xavier. Thompson and junior Michael Gordon (David's brother) will lead this year's 20-member DeKalb/Sycamore swimming team to what they hope will be a new level.

"Our team this year is the strongest we've had in a long time," coach Leah Eames said. "We're going for an undefeated season. Last year, we came out of the season with one loss."

Thompson and Gordon are returning state qualifiers along with senior Cory Page. Gordon will likely be the team's next Division I signee along with fellow junior Grant Alef of Kaneland, a DCST product who will swim again for Kaneland in sectionals.

The Knights don't have a team but Alef and one teammate competed alone at sectionals last season. He'll swim with DCST to train and then head to sectionals and potentially state on his own.

After that, the next star could be Sycamore sophomore Kei Ishimaru, who will be competing for the first time with the Barbs.

"He's a really strong swimmer," Michael Gordon said. "Hopefully we can get back [to state] in two relays. It should be interesting."

Freshman distance swimmer Marc Dubrick, who will take over David Gordon's 500 freestyle slot, should be another top swimmer for the Barbs along with junior Sam Seneczko. Seniors Taylor Roose is another top Barbs returnee.

"I think the numbers help," Eames said. "It's good for the kids to have somebody to compete directly with in practice."

Thompson said he decided to visit Xavier after talking with David Gordon about the school and fell in love with it on his trip to Cincinnati.

Thompson said he re-dedicated himself to the sport this offseason and now hopes to make state again and then make the final heat at YMCA Winter Nationals to become an All-American.

"I just have to try harder in practice and dedicate my life and make it to every single practice and keep working," Thompson said.

Gordon's goals are also high.

"The ultimate goal for me is to make the finals at the state meet," Gordon said. "I'm really excited. I've got a lot of good friends on the team, so I'm looking forward to it."