By: Sam Boender
GOLDEN, Colo. – Fifteen new Orediggers are coming to Colorado School of Mines this fall to join the men’s and women’s swimming team thanks to the recruiting efforts of Head Coach Claire McDaniel and her staff.
The incoming class features eight men and seven women with 14 true freshmen and one transfer. Twelve states and one Canadian province are represented by the newcomers including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The most represented area was Texas with three competitors featuring prep experience in the Lone Star State. Two more signees arrive in Golden by way of Virginia. At least one new Oredigger is a legacy meaning one of their parents graduated from Mines. The lone transfer is coming from the University of Tennessee.
“This group of incoming freshmen and transfer Charlie Krone are all-around exceptional people,” said Coach McDaniel. ” We are excited for what each person will add to our program. I am certain this group will build upon our continued success in the classroom, and they will make significant contributions in the pool as well – breaking program records and qualifying larger squads to the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships. Most importantly, this group will do all the above with great character, respectfulness, and gratitude. We cannot wait to get them on campus.”
Below is a snapshot of the incoming class:
- Evan Angeline | 6-0 | Maple Valley, Wash. | Tahoma HS
- Fausto Angelone Lopez | 6-2 | Jacksonville, Fla. | The Bolles School
- Dan Berke | 6-1 | Vernon Hills, Ill. | Vernon Hills HS
- Anna Bream | 5-10 | Lawrence, Kan. | Tomball HS (Texas)
- Willow Coburn | 5-10 | Waterloo, Ontario | École Secondaire David Saint-Jacques
- Samantha Crane | 5-8 | Broken Arrow, Okla. | Cascia Hall Preparatory School
- Kaya Flaherty | 5-5 | Maple Grove, Minn. | Maple Grove Senior HS
- Mary Flikkema | 5-8 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Cedar Falls HS
- Jack Fulham | 6-1 | Clifton, Va. | Robinson Secondary School
- Mikaela Khan | 5-4 | Spring, Texas | The Woodlands HS
- Charlie Krone | 6-0 | Indianapolis, Ind. | University of Tennessee | Zionsville Community HS
- Nathan Moss | 5-5 | Houston, Texas | Stratford HS
- Michelle Murphy | 5-6 | Lemoore, Calif. | Lemoore HS
- Jackson Steider | 5-7 | Annandale, Va. | Falls Church HS
- Reid Wilkerson | 6-2 | Roswell, Ga. | Roswell HS
Evan Angeline – 6-0 – Career Top Times
Maple Valley, Wash. – Tahoma HS – Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Earned four varsity letters swimming at Tahoma High School in Washington … Focused mostly on the breaststroke and individual medley … Took down school records in the 200-IM, 500-free, 100-breast, and as part of the 200-medley and 400-freestyle relays … Qualified for futures in the 400-IM, 200-IM, 200-breast, and 100-breast … Also qualified for Summer Junior Nationals in the 200-breast … Was First-Team All-League in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 … Selected as team MVP in 2023 and 2024 … Served as Tahoma HS team captain as a senior … Competed as a part of THS’ state team all four years of high school … Club competition came under the banner of the Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club where he was named Swimmer of the Year in 2022 and 2024 … Academically earned all-America stats in 2024 and appeared on the NISCA All-America team in 2025 … Earned North Puget Sound League Academic All-League each year of his prep career … Brought home the WIAA Academic Award four times as well … Became a member of the National Honor Society in 2024 … Plans to major in electrical engineering at Mines.
Fausto Angelone Lopez – 6-2 – Career Top Times
Jacksonville, Fla. – The Bolles School
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Competed for the swim team at The Bolles School in Florida … Helped his prep team win Florida’s 1A state title … Served as team captain … Won the Steven Gold Varsity Swimming & Diving Award … Also won the Bulldog Award … Final prep appearances include the FLA SRA SwimRise IMX/IMR Challenge where he finished second in the 100-breast, fifth in the 100-free, and ninth in the 200-free … Also notable in the pool were a pair of silver medals in the 50-breast and 100-breast at the GA ASL Southeastern Meet of Champions along with a bronze in the 200-free … Claimed gold in the 500-free at the FL BSS February Classic and another gold in the 100-free at the FL RAFC Winter Classic as well … In the classroom, earned First Honors with at least an A- in normal courses and a B+ or more in honors and AP courses … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Dan Berke – 6-1 – Career Top Times
Vernon Hills, Ill. – Vernon Hills HS – RISE Aquatic Club
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Two-sport athlete at Vernon Hills High School in Illinois, competing in swimming and water polo … Was a four-year varsity swimmer resulting in four letters … Focused sprint events in competition … Finished 12th in the state in the 50-free as a junior … Was fourth in the state in the 50-free as a senior … Also helped his 400-freestyle relay team take sixth in the state … Earned All-Conference status four times in the Central Suburban League South … Qualified for the Illinois State Championships three times … Other awards included First-Team All-Sectional and First-Team All-State … Raced for RISE Aquatics on the club circuit where he became a club record holder and qualified twice for the NCSA Meet … Academically earned Scholar Athlete and AP Scholar honors … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Anna Bream – 5-10 – Career Top Times
Lawrence, Kan. – Tomball HS (Texas)/Lawrence Free State HS – Ad Astra Area Aquatics
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Started her prep career at Tomball High School in Texas, racing at the 6A level … Earned two varsity letters before moving to Kansas and graduating from Lawrence Free State High School … Time in the Lone Star State resulted in team MVP honors as a freshman and High Point distinction as a sophomore … Competed for multiple clubs including Ad Astra Area Aquatics, Magnolia Aquatic Club, and Firbank Aquastars … Club honors qualifying for nationals in the 200-breast with a 2:13.00, qualifying for Winter Junior Nationals in the 100-breast, qualifying for Futures in five events, and qualifying for Australian age nationals … Broke two school records at Tomball High School and was a Missouri Valley LSC Sectional winner in the 200-breast … Her 2:13.00 would have been good enough for First-Team All-America status at the 2025 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships … Also would have been First-Team All-America in 2025 with her 400-IM time from Speedo Winter Junior Championship West … Boasted a fast enough 100-breast time that would have earned an invitation to the DII national meet as well … Academically worked her way to USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors, Missouri Valley All-Academic team, and was an AP Scholar with Distinction … Plans to major in quantitative biosciences and engineering at Mines.
Willow Coburn – 5-10 – Career Top Times
Waterloo, Ontario – École Secondaire David Saint-Jacques – Club Warriors
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Competed in swimming for École Secondaire David Saint-Jacques in Canada, focusing primarily on the individual medley and the breaststroke … Raced to an OFSSA gold medal in the 200-IM and OFSSA bronze in the 100-breast … Was the top performing girl and top overall performer on the school’s swim teams … Named the school’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2024 … Added Kitchener Athlete of the Year in 2024 and a club title for girls age 15-17 as well … Her career-best 400-IM time would have earned an invitation to the 2025 DII national meet too … Claimed status as Ultimate Athlete-Elite group in 2024 … Profiled by Waterloo magazine in 2023 … Also recognized as the most improved swimmer in 2023 … Brought home an Award of Merit from Club Warriors in 2022 … Dominated in academic competition as well with top-finisher status in Zone01 at the 2023 Robotics Ontario-wide competition after placing third at the same competition in 2022 … Twice earned High School Academic Achievement and touted the top mark in biology as a junior and as a senior … Was a District 8 All-Star as well … Plans to major in mining engineering at Mines.
Samantha Crane – 5-8 – Career Top Times
Broken Arrow, Okla. – Cascia Hall Preparatory School – Trident Aquatics
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Raced freestyle for Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Oklahoma … Won five individual state titles at the 5A level during her prep career … First state gold was in the 200-free in 2023 … Also won the 200-free in 2024 and 2025 … Topped the 5A podium in the 100-free in 2024 and 2025 as well … Performance in the pool led to status as Tulsa World All-World Finalist and two Tulsa World First-Team awards … Competed club under the Trident Aquatics banner … Classroom work resulted in an AP Scholar Award, Gold Honor Roll distinction, and membership in the National Honor Society … Plans to major in nuclear engineering at Mines.
Kaya Flaherty – 5-5 – Career Top Times
Maple Grove, Minn. – Maple Grove Senior HS – NHCP Tuna Swim Club
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Part of the swim team at Maple Grove Senior High School in Minnesota, notching races in all high school sanctioned events … Earned a varsity letter each year of her prep career … Finished fifth at AA state in the 100-fly in 2023, was seventh in the 100-fly in 2024 … Won a bronze medal along with a fifth-place finish, and two eighth-place finishes at AA State Relays … Broke the school record in the 100-fly at 56.36 and as part of the 200-medley relay … Also broke the pool record at her home pool in the 100-fly with a time of 57.39 … Voted team Rookie of the Year in 2021 and won three straight awards as the Most Dedicated team member … Raced to All-Conference status in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 … Was All-State in 2021, 2023, and 2024 … Her career-best 100-fly would have nearly qualified her for the 2025 DII national meet … On the club circuit, raced for NHCP Tuna Swim Club where she was on the Elite and National Team and qualified for Futures … Academically, appeared on the A Honor Roll each year of high school and brought home four academic letters … Also earned Science Student of the Year in 2024 … Plans to major in environmental engineering at Mines.
Mary Flikkema – 5-8 – Career Top Times
Cedar Falls, Iowa – Cedar Falls HS – Black Hawk Area Swim Team
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prep swimmer for Cedar Falls High School in Iowa, earning four varsity letters while focusing on the butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle … Won back-to-back regional titles in the 100-back … Produced five top-eight finishes at the state championships between the 100-fly and 100-back … Won a state title and broke the school record as the leadoff on the 200-medley relay … Performance in the pool led to Hall of Fame status, three Second-Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors, seven First-Team All-Conference awards, two distinctions as Honorable Mention All-State, and one First-Team All-State award … Competed under Black Hawk Area Swim Team’s club flag and was a member of their national team while participating in sectionals twice and qualifying for futures … In the classroom, worked her way onto the Honor Roll twice, earned two Gold Scholar awards, was two-time Academic All-Conference, and won the Senor Scholastic Award … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines with a focus in nuclear energy.
Jack Fulham – 6-1 – Career Top Times
Clifton, Va. – Robinson Secondary School – Nations Capital Swim Club
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Competed for the boys swim team at Robinson Secondary School in Virginia with a focus on freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke sprint events … Won two Virginia State Championships and was Virginia State Runner-Up two other times … Was an eight-time Occoquan Region champion … Finished his prep career as the Occoquan Region, Patriot District, and Robinson Secondary School record holder … Raced to seven NISCA All-American finishes … Earned the Ram Booster Award for character … Named to the All-Metro team … Served as a team captain … Was personally recognized by the Fairfax County Virginia Board of Supervisors for the state title … Raced for the Nations Capital Swim Club and was a NCSA Junior National medalist and finalist … Academic work and recognition included Scholastic All-American status, IB Diploma candidacy, the IB MYP Award, and membership in both the National Honor Society and Rho Kappa Honor Society … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Mikaela Khan – 5-4 – Career Top Times
Spring, Texas – The Woodlands HS – The Woodlands Swim Team
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Swimmer for The Woodlands High School in Texas with four varsity letters … Top time in the 200-fly was 2:01.30 … Best 200-IM was 2:03.82 … Posted a personal record of 4:26.28 in the 400-IM … Won a state title in 2024 … Was a state finalist in 2024 and 2025 … Qualified for both Summer Juniors and Winter Juniors … Had All-American swims in the 200-IM and 500-free in 2024 and 2025 … Her career-best time in the 200-fly would have given her First-Team All-America status at the 2025 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships … Her best 200-IM time would have slotted Second-Team All-America at the 2025 DII national meet … She also would have earned an invite in the 500-free as well … Her current personal best in the 200-fly is near five seconds faster than the current Mines record and she would also own the unadjusted program record in the 400-IM … Club racing was for The Woodlands Swim Team where she was a member of the National Team … Classroom work led to Academic All-State in 2024 and 2025, all-America scholar status in 2025, and membership in the National Honor Society … Plans to major in chemical engineering at Mines.
Charlie Krone – 6-0 – Career Top Times
Indianapolis, Ind. – University of Tennessee – Zionsville Community HS – Zionsville Swim Club
2024-25 (at Tennessee): Received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in May 2025 … Top times from the season included a 1:38.88 in the 200-free, 4:25.08 in the 500-free, and 49.97 in the 100-fly … Had season-best times in the 200-free and 500-free at UT’s last chance meet … Raced to silver in the 200-free at a 1:39.64 clip at the TNAQ January Invite … Started the season against Louisville with two individual events and a relay appearance.
2023-24 (at Tennessee): Appeared on the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll and the Dean’s List … Posted a season-best of 1:35.15 in the 200-free, a 4:21.46 in the 500-free, a 48.40 in the 100-fly, and a 1:48.78 in the 200-fly … Raced four events during the Tennessee Invite in November … Season started with a LCM dual meet against #12-ranked Louisville where he appeared in two races.
2022-23 (at Tennessee): Best times from the season included a 21.95 in the 50-free, a 46.00 in the 100-free, a 1:37.94 in the 200-free, a 4:28.04 in the 500-free, a 48.87 in the 100-fly, and a 200-fly of 1:49.32 … Advanced to the “B” finals in the 200-free and the 200-fly at the Tennessee Invitational in November … Collegiate debut was against UNC Wilmington … Raced at seven meets during the season.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Swimmer for Zionsville Community High School in Indiana where he earned four varsity letters … Was a sectional champion and state runner-up … Earned the Leadership Award … Set the national record in the 400-free for boys age 15-16 … Member of the Zionsville Swim Club National team … Best times from his prep and club career included 47.93 in the 100-fly, a 200-fly of 1:49.96, a 4:32.02 in the 500-free, and a 9:27.26 in the 1000-free … Raced to bronze in the 100-fly at the Indiana state championships.
Nathan Moss – 5-5 – Career Top Times
Houston, Texas – Stratford HS – Dad’s Club Swim Team
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Two-sport athlete at Stratford High School in Texas, earning four varsity letters in swimming and four more in water polo … Broke the school record as part of a 400-freestyle relay time that posted a 3:05.05 … Was a UIL 6A Texas State Finalist in the 500-free, finishing 11th, and as part of the 400-freestyle relay team … Also qualified for the UIL 6A Texas State Championships in the 200-free where he finished 19th overall … Served as co-captain of both the swim team and the water polo team … Named the swim team MVP as a senior … Won the Captains’ Award as a sophomore … Claimed Rookie of the Year as a freshman … Also earned Team MVP in water polo … Additional water polo accolades include Second-Team All-Region and First-Team All-District as a senior, First-Team All-District as a junior, and Hardest Worker Award as a junior … Club races took place with Dad’s Club Swim Team where he served as co-captain of the national group … Broke the club record in the men’s 17-18 800-meter freestyle at a clip of 8:28.48 … Ranks top three all-time in the club for the 17-18 1500-meter freestyle, 1000-free, and the 1650-free … Named Hardest Worker in the national group as a junior … Academically was a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, earned AP Scholar with Distinction, and was a five-time Stratford Honor Student Award recipient … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Michelle Murphy – 5-6 – Career Top Times
Lemoore, Calif. – Lemoore Middle College HS/Lemoore HS – Tule Nation Tritons
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Attended Lemoore Middle College High School in California while competing in swimming for Lemoore High School … Earned four varsity letters over the course of her prep career … Broke six school records including the 200-IM, 200-free, 500-free, 100-free, 50-free, and 100-fly … Also broke the West Yosemite League (WYL) record in the 200-IM … Named LUHSD Athlete of the Month in May of 2024 … Finished fourth in the 200-IM and fifth in the 100-fly at the 2025 CIF Central Section DI Championship … Club racing was for Tule Nation Tritons … In the classroom, earned associate’s degrees in liberal arts and in math and science … Appeared on the Honor Roll … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Jackson Steider – 5-7 – Career Top Times
Annandale, Va. – Falls Church HS – Machine Aquatics
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Swimmer at Falls Church High School in Virginia, earning four varsity letters while competing primarily in the middle distances and the individual medley … Top times from his junior season include a 1:41.04 in the 200-free, 51.33 in the 100-fly, and 1:52.55 in the 200-IM … Raced to First-Team All-Patriot League status … Was First-Team All-Occoquan Region … Earned First-Team All-State status at the 6A level … Won gold medals at the district and regional meets … Finished fourth in the 200-free at the 6A state championships … Raced under Machine Aquatics’ flag on the club circuit … In the classroom, earned STEM Student of the Month, Overall Student of the Month, appeared on the All “A” Honor Roll, and was STEM Student of the Year … Recipient of the Harvey Scholarship at Mines … Plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Reid Wilkerson – 6-2 – Career Top Times
Roswell, Ga. – Roswell HS – Swim Atlanta
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Earned four varsity letters as a swimmer at Roswell High School in Georgia, competing in all events … Best times for his career include 49.88 in the 100-back, 1:50.22 in the 200-back, 50.62 in the 100-fly, and 21.61 in the 50-free … Climbed the podium three times at the high school state championships … Raced to silver at the state meet in the 100-back … His 100-back performance also netted First-Team All-State at the 5A level thanks to a time of 49.88 … Club team was Swim Atlanta where he posted a AAAA national age group motivational time cut … Classroom work put him on the Principal’s Honor Roll … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Fans can keep up with Mines swimming on “X” (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram at @MinesSwimming. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, “X”, and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
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