ECU Swimming Announces Signees
May 08, 2003 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Joining the defending Conference USA champion Lady Pirates will be flyer/sprint flyer Kate Gordon (Potstown, Pa.), backstroker Stephanie Hathaway (Mobile, Ala.), flyer Emily Loyd (Savannah, Ga.), diver Julie Pahutski (Oreland, Pa.), diver Marsha Brado (Roxville, Md.), sprint flyer/freestyler Kathleen Dugan (Lake Ronhonhoma, N.Y.), diver Ashley Gelsomin (Syracuse, N.Y.), middle distance freestyler Jennie Meade (Newton Square, Pa.), sprint freestyler Courtney Silliman (Barrington, Ill.), and backstroker Katy Wolyniak (Huntersville, N.C.).
"We are extremely happy with the quality of athletes we have coming here," Kobe said. "We could have as many as six that will really have a good shot to make our conference team. We're really happy with the potential of some of these kids."
Additions to the men's team include distance freestyler John Cameron (Asheboro, N.C.), backstroker/flyer/breaststroker Matt Donohue (Raleigh, N.C.), diver Pritchard Strong (Raleigh, N.C.), backstroker/middle distance freestyler Parker Bostick (Mobile, Ala.), breaststroker Zach Brown (Chesterfield, Va.), freestyler/backstroker Josh Curnutte (Crystal Beach, Fla.), breaststroker Rob Pierce (Waxhaw, N.C.), and sprint backstroker Paul Schaeffer (Woodstock, Ga.).
"We have got eight outstanding swimmers coming in," Kobe said of the incoming men. "Our goal for the guys is to pick up some points and hopefully have a chance to win the Conference USA meet next year."
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Following is Kobe's take on several of the newcomers:
Kate Gordon (Potstown, Pa.)
Swam with Owens J. Roberts High School and with the Phoenixville YMCA. "She is an outstanding flyer and sprint flyer," Kobe said. "Both her butterfly times would final her at the Conference USA Championship meet and on paper, her 100 fly would put her as our second-fastest flyer on the team behind Diane Parker. She has her junior national qualification time in both her flys. She is an outstanding swimmer and also has a nice very competitive 200 IM. She will make an impact right away for us as a freshman."
Stephanie Hathaway (Mobile, Ala.)
Attended McGill-Tooten Catholic High School and swam for the City of Mobile Swim Association. "Stephanie is an excellent backstroker, both in 100 and 200, and also has some good middle distance free times. She has her junior national qualification times in the backstroke. Her times in both the 100 and 200 backstroke will final her in C-USA."
Emily Loyd (Savannah, Ga.)
Went to Saint Vincent's Academy and swam for the Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team. "Emily is an excellent 200 flyer and has some real solid freestyle times in the 200 and 500. She has the potential to be a C-USA finalist in all three events."
Julie Pahutski (Oreland, Pa.)
Attended Springfield Township High School and dove with the team there. "She is an outstanding diver and should be an important cog for us in regard to our championship meet next year. She has the potential to be a top-eight diver in our conference."
Parker Bostick (Mobile, Ala.)
Joins the Pirates from Saint Paul's Episcopal Church High School and swam with the City of Mobile. "Parker is an outstanding backstroker and good middle distance freestyle. He should be a finalist for us in next year's C-USA competition."
Zach Brown (Chesterfield, Va.)
Attended Cloverhill High School. "Zach is an outstanding breaststroker with junior national times and he will come right into our program and be a major asset right from the beginning."
Josh Curnutte (Crystal Beach, Fla.)
Attended Palm Harbor University High and swam for the Tampa Bay Aquatic. "Josh is excellent in the sprint and middle distance free as well as the sprint backstroke. He has the potential to be a three-event finalist at C-USA."
Rob Pierece (Waxhaw, N.C.)
Attended Weddington High School and swam with Mecklenburg Aquatics. "Rob is an outstanding breaststroker with junior national times and, along with new teammate Zach Brown, will give us a real solid breaststroke group.
Paul Schaeffer (Woodstock, Ga.)
Paul went to Etowah High School and swam for the Title Wave Swimming. "Paul is an excellent sprint backstroker and he will make the sprint backstroke a much healthier event for us."
