Feature on new swimmers 10

The SIUC men’s swimming team will lose seniors Jeff Clark and Steve Munz at the end of this season, but the team is placing their roles in the hands of two capable recruits.

Chrysanthos Papachrysanthou, a native of Nicosia, Cyprus, and Herman Louw, from Middleburg, South Africa, signed national letters of intent Nov. 12 to join the Salukis next fall.

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Louw, who is in his final year at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Fla., verbally committed to SIUC two years ago, but could not meet the academic requirements.

Papachrysanthou, who will be coming in as a freshman, has recorded times of 23.6 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle and 52.5 in the 100-meter freestyle.

Louw, labeled as one of the best junior college swimmers in the country, has recorded times of 21.50 in the 50-yard freestyle and 43.8 in the 100-yard freestyle.

SIUC swimming coach Rick Walker expects Louw to come in and duplicate Clark’s sprint abilities.

The times he (Louw) has in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle is at or faster than Jeff Clark, Walker said. By comparison, you would expect him to be as fast as Jeff is in the short course.

Walker said both swimmers will be a solid replacement for Clark, while Louw will be effective in numerous events for the Salukis.

Herman will come in and make an immediate impact, Walker said. There are several events he can come in and compete in.

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Along with Louw’s sprint ability in the freestyle, Walker said Louw is also capable of swimming the 100-meter and 200-meter breast stroke, the 200-meter individual medley and the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Saluki swimmer Charles Shaw said Papachrysanthou and Louw will be a nice addition to next year’s squad.

We’re graduating a lot of seniors, so they will fill in what we need, Shaw said. They’ll come in right away and be in the hunt.

Papachrysanthou and Louw will be able to compete for the Salukis next fall. Meanwhile, the Salukis are in preparation for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships Dec. 4-6 in Carbondale.