Dallas Mustangs Swim Team

News Release

For Immediate Release

December 8, 2004

For Further Information Contact:

Mook Rhodenbaugh, Head Coach 214-768-1641

Stuart Roth, Parent Volunteer - Media Relations 972-242-2556

The Dallas Mustangs Swim Team Finish 2^nd at U.S. Open

Eighteen Local Athletes Compete for Team in National Meet

The Dallas Mustangs swim team, featuring 18 local athletes from the DFW Metroplex, achieved a second place team finish at the U.S. Open. Held at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, TX from December 2-4, the U.S. Open is a very selective and prestigious competition. Participation in the U.S. Open is limited to USA Swimming registered athletes, and selected foreign athletes, who have achieved the very fast time standards set for the competition. With 18 local swimmers attending, the Dallas Mustangs dominated the entry pool of Metroplex competitors. Dallas Mustangs ranged in age from 13 to 33 years old, with most attending local high schools. (A complete team roster is listed below.)

The Dallas Mustangs used their team depth to score in both individual and relay events. Codie Hansen (Arlington Lamar High School) was the top scoring female for the Dallas Mustangs. Ed Wagner, (33) was the top scoring Dallas Mustang male. The team also scored major points with a top 7 or better finish in every men's and women's relay. Top finishing relays included the Men's 800 Meter Freestyle Relay (6^th place), the Women's 800 Meter Freestyle Relay (7^th place), the Men's and Women's 400 Meter Medley Relay (both finished in 4^th place), the Men's 400 Meter Freestyle Relay (6^th place) and the Women's 400 Meter Freestyle Relay (4^th place).

Head Coach Mook Rhodenbaugh was thrilled with the performance of his team. "This meet was full of Olympians, collegiate swimmers, and top athletes from throughout the world. For a group of mostly high school athletes to take 2^nd place at the U.S. Open reinforces our club's commitment to its age-group development program and shows the value of our philosophy and work ethic. I am exceptionally proud of all of our athlete's accomplishments."

Team Roster, alphabetically

Women Men

Caroline Barnett Byron Carlisle

Spindrift Beck Eric Gusa

Molly Bollen Brooks Haller

Maddie Crum Clint Hallum

Stephanie Futscher Matt Thompson

Kate Gunning Ed Wagner

Codie Hansen

Grace Kittle

Alyssa Landino

Meredith Monroe

Lauren Roth

Maddie Steiner

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The athletes, families, coaches and board members are very proud of what the Dallas Mustangs Swim Team has to offer swimmers. Designated a Silver Medal Club in the USA Swimming Club Excellence Program for 2004, our team offers various programs including learn-to-swim classes, structured age-group practices, national level workouts and a masters program for adults. The Dallas Mustangs Swim Team utilizes several pools within the Dallas - Ft. Worth Metroplex for convenient instruction and workouts.

Our philosophy is to offer a fun yet competitive atmosphere. We want the swimmers to learn to enjoy working toward their goals. Our website, www.dmswim.com, is designed to further acquaint athletes and their families with our coaching staff, team logistics and philosophies. We strive to develop a program for each swimmer based on their skill, age, and interest. It is our belief that swimming with the Dallas Mustangs Swim Team develops many enduring life skills including: