NATIONAL CHAMP TEXAS SIGNS YOUNGHOUSE

Cape Girardeau Central High senior Jon Younghouse recently signed a letter of intent to compete in swimming at the University of Texas.

Now, that fact might not turn the head of the average sports fan, because swimming is regarded as a relatively minor sport on the collegiate level when compared to the likes of football and basketball.

But make no mistake about it: Younghouse signing with Texas is big-time all the way. If he played football, it would be like him landing at Nebraska or Florida State. If he shot hoops, it would be like him going to Kentucky or UCLA.

When you talk about NCAA Division I men's swimming, Texas is about as good as it gets. The Longhorns won this year's national championship and Coach Eddie Reese -- an assistant coach for the United States Olympic swimming team - has won more NCAA titles than any coach in the nation.

"It's a big-time program and I'm really excited to be going there," said Younghouse, who was also recruited heavily by Auburn, Arizona State and Iowa State. "I've had my heart set on Texas all along. I went for my visit there and just fell in love with it."

"Coach Reese is a really good guy and he's about the best coach there is. Fourteen people from Texas went to the Olympic Trials. It's just a great program."

Younghouse, who began swimming at the age of seven, won two state high school championships as a junior at Central, capturing the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. He opted to pass up high school competition as a senior in order to face more rigorous challenges in age-group swimming. Younghouse competed in the Junior Nationals in Seattle in March.

"I think passing up high school swimming as a senior was beneficial for me," said Younghouse, who spends up to 20 hours per week lifting weights and swimming.

Younghouse said his mother got him started in swimming and he's been hooked ever since.

"I've always enjoyed it," he said.

Even though Texas annually turns out swimmers who compete for Olympic berths, Younghouse -- who plans to study business in college -- has no such ambitions right now. He simply wants to enjoy the sport at the highest collegiate level.

"I just want to swim for four years, have fun and be a part of that program," he said. "Whatever else happens, fine."