McCallie swimmer Sean Ryan and Blue Tornado lacrosse players T.J. Kemp, Charlie Graff and Parker Mincy signed letters of intent Tuesday to compete next year at the collegiate level.

Ryan signed with the University of Michigan. The senior from Hixson competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials early in the summer where he qualified to represent the U.S. in the World Championships in Italy. He finished 11th in the world in the 25-kilometer open-water swim. He was recently chosen the 2008-09 Swimmer of the Year by Southeastern Swimming, and is ranked as the No. 2 high school swimmer in the 400 free and No. 3 in the 1,500 free.

Ryan appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” in 2008 for becoming the top-ranked 15-year-old in the nation in three freestyle events.

McCallie head swimming and diving coach Stan Corcoran said, “Sean has improved from a good swimmer in Tennessee to one of the best swimmers in the country and the world. Eleventh place at the World Championships at 16 years old is pretty special.”

Corcoran said about Ryan’s college choice, “Michigan has a great tradition in distance swimming. They’ve had many finalists in the Olympics, World Championships and NCAA Championships in the distance events. Their program combined with their engineering department makes them a good fit for Sean.”

The three lacrosse signees were:

T.J. Kemp
Position: Midfield
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Career Lacrosse Statistics (2 seasons): 46 goals, 15 assists, 191 (62%) Face-offs won
2009 Football Statistics: 676 yds, 7 TDs on 150 carries, 25 tackles
2009 Lacrosse Awards: 2009 All American, 1st Team All State, Lax Power All Mid-Atlantic Southeast Team, Under Armour All-American Midwest Team

Charlie Graff
Position: Defense
University of Vermont
2009 Lacrosse Statistics: 39 ground balls, 14 take aways
Career Football Statistics (two seasons): 98 tackles
Lacrosse Awards: 2009 1st Team All State

Parker Mincy
Position: Attack
Presbyterian College
Career Lacrosse Statistics (2 seasons): 51 goals, 22 assists
Lacrosse Awards: 2009 2nd Team All State

McCallie head lacrosse coach Troy Kemp said, “T.J., Charlie, and Parker are all great examples of blue-chip student athletes. Their journey to playing lacrosse at the next level began with outstanding academic preparation and participation in multiple sports. The guys all had multiple options, but chose colleges that are great matches on and off the field. Several other McCallie seniors are also in the recruiting process. We may have as many as eight players from class of 2010 who will continue their lacrosse careers in college.”

He added, “TJ, Charlie, and Parker have the ability to make an impact playing lacrosse at the next level. They helped McCallie win its ninth state championship, last year. Our staff is excited to have the opportunity to work with the group for one more season. We still have work to do.”

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)