By Blake Dowson
The Daily Iowan takes a look at five Iowa athletes from each class that are likely to make an impact on their respective squads in 2016-17. The freshman class is highlighted today.
Jordan Bohannon, Men’s Basketball
At this point, Bohannon looks like the backup point guard behind sophomore Christian Williams. That makes him important enough, considering Williams is anything but a seasoned veteran. Bohannon will get his share of minutes, and if he plays within himself during his rookie campaign, he can give the Hawkeyes a boost off the bench.
He has been up and down in the Prime Time League this summer, scoring 27 points on 7-of-11 shooting from deep in his first game but following that performance up with a 13-point, 3-of-17 shooting performance from 3-point range.
The 7-of-11 game leans more toward the norm with Bohannon than the 3-of-17 game. He’s a really good shooter, and he will be able to knock down shots this year — both open and contested.
The biggest question facing Bohannon is if he can handle being the floor general that head coach Fran McCaffery needs on the court at all times. His turnover numbers will be the biggest indicator of his playing time.
Sydney Blitchok, Soccer
Blitchok was a good get for Iowa in recruiting, stealing her away from a pair of Big Ten schools in her home state of Michigan. She was named 2016 Michigan Miss Soccer in June, if that is any indication.
This past year at Grandville High, Blitchok scored 17 goals along with 28 assists on her way to being named first-team all-state. Her team went 20-2-1 and advanced to Division 1 Regional Championship game.
Although she joins a crowded Iowa roster that has quite a few sophomores and juniors, Blitchok will have an opportunity to make an impact right away.
Anthony Chaidez, Men’s Track & Field
Chaidez is a middle-distance runner, excelling in the 800 and 1600 meters in high school. Middle-distance runners have had a lot of success in the Iowa program in recent years — think Erik Sowinski and Carter Lily — and that will certainly continue with Chaidez.
The Sylmar, California, native has a 1:51 personal record in the 800 meters, a very impressive time for a high-school senior. His 1,600 personal best is also impressive, but it seems like he will turn into an 800 specialist.
The most impressive thing about Chaidez running super fast times in the 800 and 1,600 is that he played football in high school, so his training was not ideal year round.
Hannah Burvill, Women’s Swimming
The Hawkeye swimming program has done pretty well recruiting in Britain in the past couple years, and that’s where it found Burvill.
She is a versatile swimmer excelling in freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley events, something that has gone over extremely well for current Hawkeye Swiss Army knife in the pool, Emma Sougstad.
Burvill is a three-time national medalist in the 100-meter free, winning gold in the event in 2011. She also medaled nationally in the 200-meter free, 50-meter butterfly, and 4×100-meter medley relay, which she won in 2015.
Her top time in the 200 free (1:45.00) is more than three seconds faster than any women on the Iowa roster swam last season. Her 50 free (22.60), 100 free (48.42), and 500 free (4:53.32) times would have all been the fastest for the Hawkeyes last season as well.
Daniel Perry, Baseball
This is bending the rules a bit, because Perry is a redshirt freshman. But alas, he has never donned a Hawkeye jersey, so technically he makes this list.
Drafted in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Perry was the highest drafted Big Ten recruit to make it to campus.
As an infielder playing in the Northwoods League after his senior year of high school, Perry hit .306 — very impressive for a kid who hadn’t seen that level of pitching before.
He figures to get a shot at third base this coming season, with the loss of Nick Roscetti at shortstop. Mason McCoy will slide over to shortstop to fill that spot, leaving one at third.