head swimming coach Craig Mallery has announced that Jakub Jiracek, a ten-time NCAA Division II national champion, has joined the swim program and will compete for the squad for the rest of the 2007-08 season.
While at , Jiracek won four individual titles in 2004, two individual titles in 2005, and four individual titles in 2006, becoming the first swimmer to ever win four individual titles in two different years. He was the national champion in the 200 breaststroke and 400 individual medley three consecutive years, plus he won the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley in both 2004 and 2006.
Jiracek also won two NCAA titles as part of a relay quartet, helping the Drury 800 freestyle relay team win in 2005 and 2006. His eight NCAA event titles helped Drury win back-to-back national team titles in 2005 and 2006. The CSCAA National Male Swimmer of the Year in 2006, Jiracek will have a chance to own the record for most individual NCAA Division II titles if he qualifies for this year’s national meet over the next two months.
“Jakub brings a vast continuum to the program with his national and international competitive background and his proven ability to perform exceptionally in the competitive realm as well as in the classroom,” Mallery said. “His work ethic and his ability to engage the team in cerebral humor has created an environment for instant assimilation.”
Jiracek has already received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and is presently enrolled full-time in the Master of Business Administration program in the Albers School of Business and Economics. He will compete for at on Saturday, Jan. 12 and against UC Davis at the Sunday, Jan. 13, beginning at 12 noon.