ECU Adds More Newcomers For Next Season
May 11, 2009 | Swimming & Diving
May 11, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- After signing 10 prep swimmers and divers to a National Letter-of-Intent during the fall signing period, East Carolina head coach Rick Kobe announced Monday that 14 additional student-athletes will be joining the Pirate program in the fall of 2009.
"This could be the most talented incoming group of freshmen we've ever had," said Kobe. "I expect each of these kids to come in, compete right away and help continue to sustain the successful tradition of ECU swimming and diving."
The women that made commitments to compete for ECU next season are Pamela Hess (Canton, Ga./Sequoyah HS), Anna Holland-Lawrence (Raleigh, N.C./Enloe HS) and Heather O'Toole (Lawrenceville, Ga./Saint Pius X HS).
Hess was a Junior National Qualifier in the butterfly, while O'Toole was Senior National Qualifier in the backstroke and sprint freestyle events. Lawrence was a finalist in the breaststroke at the North Carolina High School state championships.
Twelve men also revealed their intentions this spring as well to compete for the Pirates in the fall. The class includes five swimmers for North Carolina and three from Virginia.
A pair of All-America performers are set to join the Pirates next season as well. J.D. Flanagan (Medford, N.J./Shawnee HS) earned All-America honors in the butterfly, as did Ian Hogan (Ballston, N.Y./Ballston Spa HS) in the diving well.
North Carolina natives Turner Haigwood (Greenville/J.H. Rose) and William Quarles (Gastonia/Forestview HS) were Senior Sectional Qualifiers. Haigwood earned a state ranking in five butterfly and IM events, while Quarles was a finalist in the backstroke at the state championships.
Geoffrey Bobsin (Fairfax Station, Va./Robinson HS), Casey Elliot (Madison, N.C./Dalton L. McMichael HS) and Rick Smith (Hickory, N.C./Fred T. Foard HS) were all state champions. Bobsin and Smith both competed as freestyle swimmers, while Elliot swam the backstroke.
Seven members of the incoming class are Junior National Qualifiers, including the aforementioned trio along with Chris Borysewicz (Mechancisville, Va./Reynolds Community College) Mike Jolly (Silver Spring, Md./DeMatha Catholic HS), Andy Richter (Charlotte, N.C./Providence HS) and Chase Wittenauer (Manassas, Va./Osbourn HS).
This group joins the list of 10 fall signees to bring the total number of newcomers for 2009-10 season to 24.
