Jan. 19, 2005

All-American and two-time Nevada state champion Jace Hopper (Las Vegas, Nev./The Meadows H.S.) has signed a national letter of intent to enroll at the University of Notre Dame next fall and join its men's swimming and diving team, it was announced recently by head coach Tim Welsh. Hopper, a Las Vegas native and standout in the middle-distance and distance freestyle events, won state titles in both the 200- and 500-yard freestyle this past fall.

Hopper, a senior at The Meadows High School, earned All-America honors from the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association in the 500 free in 2003-04, and he was the state runner-up in the 500 free as a junior. Hopper recently posted his first senior national cut - 8:24.06 in the 800-meter freestyle - while he has notched junior national cuts in the 800- and 1,500-meter free, as well as the 1,000- and 1,650-yard races. His top times include 1:43.64 in the 200-yard free, 4:33.10 in the 500-yard free, 9:21.31 in the 1,000-yard free, 4:07.13 in the 400-meter free, and 8:24.06 in the 800-meter free.

Hopper will join another Nevadan, sophomore Justin Barber (Carson City, Nev./Carson H.S.), on the Irish roster. Barber last year became the first ND men's swimming & diving monogram winner from the state.