Swimming team signs two recruits

ISU swimming and diving head coach Duane Sorenson announced Tuesday the signing of two high school seniors.

Included in Sorenson’s incoming recruiting class is 2002—2003 high school All-American and seven-time Wisconsin high school individual state champion Lauren Breunig. Breunig captured three state titles in the 200 individual medley, three state titles in the 100 freestyle and one state title in the 200 freestyle. She also swam on three state championship relays, including the 200 freestyle relay twice and the 200 medley relay. Breunig, a native of Mazomanie, Wis., currently holds the Wisconsin high school Division 2 state record in the 200 individual medley (2:03.89).

Chelsey Walden of Woodbury, Minn., won the 500 freestyle at this year’s Minnesota High School class AA state championships and placed fourth in the 200 freestyle, as well as the 400 freestyle relay. As a prep swimmer for Madison West High School (Wis.), Walden placed second in the 500 freestyle at the 2001 Wisconsin High School Division 1 state championships. Walden’s father, Andrew, swam for Iowa State from 1975 to 1979 and once held the school record in the 200 butterfly.

Women’s golf signs state champion

Christi Athas, a two-time individual state champion for Eldora-New Providence, will attend Iowa State University on a golf scholarship, ISU head women’s golf coach Julie Manning announced.

Athas is shooting for her third consecutive individual state title this coming fall after capturing medalist honors at the 2001 and 2002 Iowa Girls Class 1A state golf tournament. In 2002, Athas carded a 147 (74-73) in the state meet, 13 strokes ahead of the nearest competitor. She is also a two-time NICL conference medalist and three-time all-district performer.

Men’s basketball announces changes

ISU men’s head basketball coach Larry Eustachy announced that junior center Chris Alexander will take a leave of absence from the basketball team for personal reasons.

“Our coaching staff and team supports Chris during this time and we will welcome him back if he chooses,” Eustachy said.

In other news, ISU guard Brad Davis, a senior from Knoxville, has ended his basketball career because of recurring back problems. Davis, a three-year letterwinner who walked on the team in 1999, has seen limited practice time this season because of chronic back pain.

“Brad has struggled this season with his back and it reached the point where the pain was too much,” Eustachy said. “Brad gave us his all for three seasons and his competitiveness will be missed. We wish him the best of luck.”

— ISU Media Relations