Hoosiers Add Opell to Signing Class

Aaron Opell will join the Hoosiers next season.

5/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving

May 12, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head coach Ray Looze and the Indiana swimming and diving program announced the addition of Aaron Opell (Newburgh, Ind./Castle). He joins Tim Blue (South Bend, Ind./James W. Riley), Kevin Happ (Hunting Valley, Ohio/University School), Christopher Head (Evansville, Ind./North), Matt Lenton (Perth, Australia/John Septimus Roe Anglican), Tyler McGowan (Vincennes, Ind./Lincoln), Frazier Miller (Louisville, Ky./Saint Xavier), Chris Oleksiak (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove), Thiago Rebello (Frisco, Texas/Frisco), Jensen Ried (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Springs) and Drew Sease (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) as part of the incoming competitive class for 2006.

"Aaron is one of the most versatile swimmers in the state of Indiana," Looze said. "We are very pleased to have him join our squad and help win more Big Ten titles."

A six-time All-American, Opell helped Castle to a pair of sectional titles as well as four consecutive conference crowns. At the 2006 state meet, Opell earned all-state recognition for the third-fastest 200 IM mark. Additionally, Opell holds the school record in the 200 IM and the 500 free as well as the sectional mark in the 500 free. Meanwhile, Opell set the conference record in the 100 breast, 200 IM and 500 free. A four-time all-conference member and two-time team MVP, he swam with the Newburgh Sea Creatures on the club circuit. During that time period, he competed in the Central Zone meet in Minneapolis, Minn., as well as the International Age Group Invitational in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Additionally, he attended the Indiana Championships from 1997-05 with several state championships to his credit.

"I chose Indiana for a variety of reasons," Opell said. "The swimming program, along with its coaching staff, is excellent. Also, I am interested in the Kelley School of Business, while I have relatives and numerous friends currently attending IU. Additionally, the school is only two hours from home and I have always been a fan of IU basketball."

Away from the pool, Opell participated in Knights for Books, which is a reading program for elementary children, as well as helped with the community disaster clean-up campaign due to tornados that hit Southern Indiana. Also of note, Opell is the cousin of Jacob and Josh Tudela, current members of the seven-time national champion IU soccer team.