Swedish transfer bolsters UT

Jonas Persson is a long way from home.

The sprint freestyler from Malmo, Sweden, logged lots of miles before landing at the University of Tennessee. Also quite a few months.

Fortunately he didn't have to swim his way to Knoxville. ... Well, in a way he did.

He swam his freshman and sophomore seasons for Arizona. Then he decided to transfer to UT. He sat out last season, but stayed active. He won the Swedish Short Course Championship's 200-meter freestyle in 1 minute, 45.26 seconds last November and was third in the 100 free.

He is one of 12 additions to the Vols this season. Persson should almost immediately have an impact on the Vols' sprint relays and 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyles.

The Vols lost six off last season's team, so the net of six certainly will help their depth at the SEC and NCAA levels.

"Jonas certainly is capable of winning the SEC 200 freestyle," UT coach John Trembley said.

Persson will have a buddy to speak his kind of language - Swedish and winning. Mattias Kahlin is a 6-foot-7, 238-pounder from Vasteras who was runner-up to record-holder Jonas Anderson at the Swedish Nationals in the 100-meter breaststroke. He's just as competitive in class, owning a 4.0 GPA.

The Vols coach calls this team "deep, talented and hard-working ... maybe the best overall group I've recruited. Lots of things have to happen, but we can have a very good year."

That's saying a lot when you consider that Trembley's former Vols Melvin Stewart, Tripp Schwenk, Jeremy Linn and Greg Burgess won Olympic gold medals.

Distance and middle-distance swimmer Carl Jones of Walla Walla, Wash., certainly has Trembley's attention.

"Don't count out this guy at the SEC's. He's working hard and has the talent," Trembley said of the U.S. Junior Nationals champion.

Breaststroker and individual medley specialist Brad Craig of Midland, Mich., won the U.S. Junior Nationals in 2006 and was runner-up this year.

When it comes to versatility, Michael Christy of Indianapolis has it. He has been 4:30 in the 500 freestyle, 1:49 in the 200 IM and also swims the 100 and 200 backstrokes and 400 IM.

Another Junior Nationals champion is Geoff Sanders of Raleigh, N.C., who was coached by former Vol sprinter John Roy.

"This guy is the total package," Trembley said and he's been kicking everybody's rear in practice. He's working very hard - just the opposite of what I'd heard about his work ethic. He's an exciting young man ... and can you believe, a 4.7 GPA?"

He's been 4:28 in the 500 free, 3:56 in the 400 IM and 1:49 in the 200 butterfly.

Chris Winchell, who is 6-5, of Seattle will give the Vols depth in the 1,650 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 200 breastrstroke. Trembley said, "This kid can make us look good ... and he's an excellent student

Other true freshmen are Kingsport's Patrick Beasley who swims 400 IM and 200 butterfly, middle-distance freestylers Forest Leary of Memphis and Scott Friedrich of Toledo, Ohio, and diver Sean Letsinger of Knoxville. Letsinger, who's mother was a Lady Vols diver, is a three-time state champion who came up through UT diving coach Dave Parrington's program.

Redshirt freshman Mike DeRocco of Niskayuna, N.Y., followed in Trembley's footsteps as state high school champion in the 50 and 100 freestyles.

And to top it off, this class might not be complete.

"We're working very hard to sign two to join us at mid-season," Trembley said.

"I truly believe that this group will race hard."

Senior Michael Wolfe, the team captain, is one of several proven Vols who are expected to provide leadership and winning performances.

Among those are sprinters Octavio Alelsi and Barry Murphy, Nolan Morrell and diver Ryan Rincon.

The Vols open their dual-meet season Saturday at Louisville. Their first home meet is Oct. 26 against Kentucky and South Carolina.

They will dedicate the new $24 million Allan Jones Aquatic Center on Jan. 12. Their first meet in that pool will be Jan. 4 against Georgia Tech.