|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William and Mary Director of Swimming Matt Crispino '02 announced the addition of 10 men to the Tribe squad this fall, including nine freshmen and a transfer from the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Tribe is coming off one of its best seasons in school history in 2011-12, finishing third at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships and having three athletes and multiple relays break the NCAA qualifying standards.
"The men's class of 2016 might be the most talented group of swimmers ever to step on campus here at W&M,” said Crispino. “Not only are they fantastic in the classroom, but they bring a lot of firepower to the pool. It's a great mix of elite level athletes and some under-the-radar talent that is still developing. We're excited to coach them and watch them become part of the fabric of Tribe Swimming. Check back with this group in four years, and chances are you will see that they helped take our program to new heights."
Following is a brief look at each member of the class:
Justin Barden - 6-0, Fly/Back
Gordonsville, Va./Orange County
Best Times:
200 Back - 1:48.92
100 Fly - 49.99
100 Back - 51.08
200 Fly - 1:54.61
200 IM - 1:55.75
At Orange County
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Earned two podium finishes at the 2012 Virginia AAA state championships ... Second in the 100 fly and third in the 100 back ... Won the region title in the 100 back each of the past three years, despite moving up to the state's highest classification as a senior ... Four-time district champ in the 100 back ... Named Swimmer of the Year by the Free Lance Star in 2012 ... Part of the FLS all-area team in 2010, 2011, and 2012 ... Swimmer of the Year for the Jefferson District in 2010 ... Swam for the Battlefield Area Star Swimmers club under Kevin McHaney ... Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Terry and Karen Barden ... Enjoys rollercoasters and watching sports ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Charley Bowles - 5-8, IM/Fly/Breast
Yorktown, Va./Tabb
Best Times:
200 IM - 1:53.45
400 IM - 3:58.42
100 Breast - 58.90
200 Breast - 2:05.40
200 Fly - 1:51.95
At Tabb
Earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors each of the last three years ... Won the Virginia AA state title in the 100 breast in 2012, helping Tabb clinch the team championship ... Four-year state qualifier ... Won the Bay Rivers District championship in the 200 IM as a senior as well ... Did his club swimming with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins under Jack Bieri ... Finalist at both the USA Junior and the NCSA Junior Championships.
Personal
Son of Chas and Lori Bowles ... Father swam at UNCW from 1981-83 ... Aunt, Lisa Ellis, graduated from W&M in 1989 ... Uncle, Mike Flanagan, is also a Tribe alum, graduating in 1996 ... Enjoys going to the beach and being out in the sun ... Plans to major in business.
Austin Glass - 6-0, Back/Fly
Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee
Best Times:
100 Back - 52.28
200 Back - 1:52.78
100 Fly - 51.88
200 Fly - 1:55.48
At Atlee
Six-time region champ ... NCSA Junior National qualifier ... Did his club swimming for Burkwood Aquatic club and coach Craig Clift ... President of the Latin Club ... Member of the National Honor Society and the National Latin Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Bill and Joanne Astin and Jim Glass ... Brother, Sidney, is a senior on the Tribe swimming team ... Enjoys relaxing with friends and eating delicious food ... Plans to major in mathematics.
Will Manion - 6-4, Back/IM
Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield
Best Times:
100 Back - 49.04
200 Back - 1:49.64
200 IM - 1:52.78
100 Fly - 51.77
At Haddonfield
2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100m backstroke ... Earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors in 2012 ... Four-time USA Swimming Prep All-American in the 100 back ... Also earned All-American honors in the 200 IM as a senior ... Haddonfield's MVP all four years of high school ... Named Swimmer of the Year for South Jersey in 2011 and 2012 ... New Jersey state champion in the 100 back as a senior ... State champion in the 200 IM as a junior ... Swam for the Pennsbury Aquatics Club and coach Bobby DeSandre ... Member of both the Concert and Chamber Choirs ... Member of the National Art Honor Society.
Personal
Son of William Manion and Kathy Kruse ... Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and MMA ... Plans to major in either business or sociology.
Ryan Natal - 5-7, Fly/Free
Great Falls, Va./Langley
Best Times:
100 Fly - 50.35
200 Fly - 1:52.29
200 Free - 1:41.24
100 Free - 46.35
50 Free - 21.64
At Langley
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Member of the National Public School-record holding 200 medley relay (SCM) ... Earned Prep All-American honors from the NISCA ... Runner-up in the 200 free at the 2012 Virginia AAA state championships ... Also earned silver medals in both the 200 free and 100 fly as a junior ... Bronze-medalist in the 100 fly as a sophomore in 2010 ... District champion in the 100 fly as a senior and 200 fly as a junior ... Named first-team All-Met by the Washington Post in 2012 after earning second-team honors the year before ... Member of the Machine Aquatics swim club, under Dan Jacobs ... Elected Langley's Senior Class President ... Member of the Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Douglas and Karen Natal ... Enjoys frisbee, music, and longboarding ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Andrew Nyce - 6-1, IM/Breast
Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall
Best Times:
200 IM - 1:55.40
400 IM - 4:04.40
100 Breast - 59.20
200 Breast - 2:07.30
At Marshall
Junior National competitor in 2011 and 2012 ... Finalist at the section championships ... Swam for the Machine Aquatics under coach Brad Bowser ... Member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Christopher and Carol Nyce ... Plans to major in business.
Jeremiah O'Donnell - 5-10 Breast/IM
Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill
Best Times:
100 Breast - 59.49
200 Breast - 2:05.58
200 IM - 1:53.86
400 IM - 4:03.34
100 Fly - 51.76
At East Chapel Hill
Named Swimmer of the Year in the Piedmont Conference as a senior ... Ninth at the 4A state meet in both the 200 IM and the 100 fly ... Swam for the Duke Aquatics Club under Brent Watkins.
Personal
Son of Jeremiah O'Donnell and Michelle Ginther ... Enjoys shooting and hiking ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Ian Robert - 6-2, Free/Back
New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan
Best Times:
50 Free – 21.56
100 Free – 47.25
200 Free - 1:47.40
100 Back - 52.90
200 Back - 1:57.11
At New Canaan
Helped New Canaan to a pair of Connecticut state championships ... Five-time all-state selection ... Twice earned YMCA All-American honors on New Canaan's relays ... Finished second in the 200 free relay twice at the YMCA National Championships ... Reached individual finals at YMCA's multiple times ... Won the 50 free county title as a senior in 2012 ... Eight-time All-FCIAC all-county honoree ... Swam under Jason Paige both for New Canaan HS and the New Canaan YMCA club team.
Personal
Son of Alain and Sara Robert ... Enjoys fishing, boating, and playing table tennis ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Billy Russell - 6-3, Free/Fly
Newport News, Va./Woodside
Best Times:
50 Free - 21.53
100 Free - 47.15
200 Free - 1:42.72
100 Fly - 52.56
At Woodside
Qualified for the Virginia AAA state championships as a senior in both the 50 and 100 free ... Finished 11th in the state in the 100 free ... Also a state qualifier in the 200 free as a junior in 2011 ... District champion in the 100 free each of the past two years ... Added the 50 free district title in 2012 ... NCSA national qualifier in both the 50 and 200 free as a senior ... Named Woodside's MVP each of the past two seasons ... Swam for the SEVA Seahawks club under Dave Henderson and Josh Graham ... Honor roll all four years of high school ... Selected to represent Woodside at Boy's State in 2011.
Personal
Son of Mark and Sarah Russell ... Comes from a long line of swimmers, and Tribe alums ... Mother swam at Penn State ... Uncle, Bill Sykes, swam for the Tribe from 1982-86 ... Aunt, Liz Sykes, graduated from W&M in 1995 ... Cousin, Amanda Russell, was a member of the class of 2011 ... Aunt, Mary Sykes, and Uncle, Daniel Sykes, both swam at Princeton ... Uncle, David Russell, swam at Tennessee ... Plans to major in finance.
Jake Stronko - 5-11, Free/Fly
Woodbridge, Va./Osbourn Park (Air Force)
Best Times:
200 free - 1:40.26
500 free - 4:39.27
100 Back - 52.75
200 back - 1:54.87
100 fly - 51.18
200 fly - 1:53.17
2010-11 (at Air Force)
Appeared sporadically through the fall season ... Had season-bests of 53.36 in the 100 fly and 1:42.35 in the 200 free.
2009-10 (at Air Force)
Competed in several dual meets throughout the season ... Best times of 1:43.65 in the 200 free and 53.03 in the 100 fly.
At Osbourn Park
USA Swimming All-American in the 200 freestyle ... Three-time all-area first team ... Named honorable mention All-Met by the Washington Post in 2009 ... Also swam for the QDD Swim Team, coached by Rick Benner ... Graduated summa cum laude.
Personal
Son of Gary and Lesli Stronko ... Enjoys traveling, foreign languages, and trying new things ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
"The men's class of 2016 might be the most talented group of swimmers ever to step on campus here at W&M,” said Crispino. “Not only are they fantastic in the classroom, but they bring a lot of firepower to the pool. It's a great mix of elite level athletes and some under-the-radar talent that is still developing. We're excited to coach them and watch them become part of the fabric of Tribe Swimming. Check back with this group in four years, and chances are you will see that they helped take our program to new heights."
Following is a brief look at each member of the class:
Justin Barden - 6-0, Fly/Back
Gordonsville, Va./Orange County
Best Times:
200 Back - 1:48.92
100 Fly - 49.99
100 Back - 51.08
200 Fly - 1:54.61
200 IM - 1:55.75
At Orange County
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Earned two podium finishes at the 2012 Virginia AAA state championships ... Second in the 100 fly and third in the 100 back ... Won the region title in the 100 back each of the past three years, despite moving up to the state's highest classification as a senior ... Four-time district champ in the 100 back ... Named Swimmer of the Year by the Free Lance Star in 2012 ... Part of the FLS all-area team in 2010, 2011, and 2012 ... Swimmer of the Year for the Jefferson District in 2010 ... Swam for the Battlefield Area Star Swimmers club under Kevin McHaney ... Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Terry and Karen Barden ... Enjoys rollercoasters and watching sports ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Charley Bowles - 5-8, IM/Fly/Breast
Yorktown, Va./Tabb
Best Times:
200 IM - 1:53.45
400 IM - 3:58.42
100 Breast - 58.90
200 Breast - 2:05.40
200 Fly - 1:51.95
At Tabb
Earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors each of the last three years ... Won the Virginia AA state title in the 100 breast in 2012, helping Tabb clinch the team championship ... Four-year state qualifier ... Won the Bay Rivers District championship in the 200 IM as a senior as well ... Did his club swimming with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins under Jack Bieri ... Finalist at both the USA Junior and the NCSA Junior Championships.
Personal
Son of Chas and Lori Bowles ... Father swam at UNCW from 1981-83 ... Aunt, Lisa Ellis, graduated from W&M in 1989 ... Uncle, Mike Flanagan, is also a Tribe alum, graduating in 1996 ... Enjoys going to the beach and being out in the sun ... Plans to major in business.
Austin Glass - 6-0, Back/Fly
Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee
Best Times:
100 Back - 52.28
200 Back - 1:52.78
100 Fly - 51.88
200 Fly - 1:55.48
At Atlee
Six-time region champ ... NCSA Junior National qualifier ... Did his club swimming for Burkwood Aquatic club and coach Craig Clift ... President of the Latin Club ... Member of the National Honor Society and the National Latin Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Bill and Joanne Astin and Jim Glass ... Brother, Sidney, is a senior on the Tribe swimming team ... Enjoys relaxing with friends and eating delicious food ... Plans to major in mathematics.
Will Manion - 6-4, Back/IM
Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield
Best Times:
100 Back - 49.04
200 Back - 1:49.64
200 IM - 1:52.78
100 Fly - 51.77
At Haddonfield
2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100m backstroke ... Earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors in 2012 ... Four-time USA Swimming Prep All-American in the 100 back ... Also earned All-American honors in the 200 IM as a senior ... Haddonfield's MVP all four years of high school ... Named Swimmer of the Year for South Jersey in 2011 and 2012 ... New Jersey state champion in the 100 back as a senior ... State champion in the 200 IM as a junior ... Swam for the Pennsbury Aquatics Club and coach Bobby DeSandre ... Member of both the Concert and Chamber Choirs ... Member of the National Art Honor Society.
Personal
Son of William Manion and Kathy Kruse ... Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and MMA ... Plans to major in either business or sociology.
Ryan Natal - 5-7, Fly/Free
Great Falls, Va./Langley
Best Times:
100 Fly - 50.35
200 Fly - 1:52.29
200 Free - 1:41.24
100 Free - 46.35
50 Free - 21.64
At Langley
USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Member of the National Public School-record holding 200 medley relay (SCM) ... Earned Prep All-American honors from the NISCA ... Runner-up in the 200 free at the 2012 Virginia AAA state championships ... Also earned silver medals in both the 200 free and 100 fly as a junior ... Bronze-medalist in the 100 fly as a sophomore in 2010 ... District champion in the 100 fly as a senior and 200 fly as a junior ... Named first-team All-Met by the Washington Post in 2012 after earning second-team honors the year before ... Member of the Machine Aquatics swim club, under Dan Jacobs ... Elected Langley's Senior Class President ... Member of the Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Douglas and Karen Natal ... Enjoys frisbee, music, and longboarding ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Andrew Nyce - 6-1, IM/Breast
Vienna, Va./George C. Marshall
Best Times:
200 IM - 1:55.40
400 IM - 4:04.40
100 Breast - 59.20
200 Breast - 2:07.30
At Marshall
Junior National competitor in 2011 and 2012 ... Finalist at the section championships ... Swam for the Machine Aquatics under coach Brad Bowser ... Member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Christopher and Carol Nyce ... Plans to major in business.
Jeremiah O'Donnell - 5-10 Breast/IM
Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill
Best Times:
100 Breast - 59.49
200 Breast - 2:05.58
200 IM - 1:53.86
400 IM - 4:03.34
100 Fly - 51.76
At East Chapel Hill
Named Swimmer of the Year in the Piedmont Conference as a senior ... Ninth at the 4A state meet in both the 200 IM and the 100 fly ... Swam for the Duke Aquatics Club under Brent Watkins.
Personal
Son of Jeremiah O'Donnell and Michelle Ginther ... Enjoys shooting and hiking ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Ian Robert - 6-2, Free/Back
New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan
Best Times:
50 Free – 21.56
100 Free – 47.25
200 Free - 1:47.40
100 Back - 52.90
200 Back - 1:57.11
At New Canaan
Helped New Canaan to a pair of Connecticut state championships ... Five-time all-state selection ... Twice earned YMCA All-American honors on New Canaan's relays ... Finished second in the 200 free relay twice at the YMCA National Championships ... Reached individual finals at YMCA's multiple times ... Won the 50 free county title as a senior in 2012 ... Eight-time All-FCIAC all-county honoree ... Swam under Jason Paige both for New Canaan HS and the New Canaan YMCA club team.
Personal
Son of Alain and Sara Robert ... Enjoys fishing, boating, and playing table tennis ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
Billy Russell - 6-3, Free/Fly
Newport News, Va./Woodside
Best Times:
50 Free - 21.53
100 Free - 47.15
200 Free - 1:42.72
100 Fly - 52.56
At Woodside
Qualified for the Virginia AAA state championships as a senior in both the 50 and 100 free ... Finished 11th in the state in the 100 free ... Also a state qualifier in the 200 free as a junior in 2011 ... District champion in the 100 free each of the past two years ... Added the 50 free district title in 2012 ... NCSA national qualifier in both the 50 and 200 free as a senior ... Named Woodside's MVP each of the past two seasons ... Swam for the SEVA Seahawks club under Dave Henderson and Josh Graham ... Honor roll all four years of high school ... Selected to represent Woodside at Boy's State in 2011.
Personal
Son of Mark and Sarah Russell ... Comes from a long line of swimmers, and Tribe alums ... Mother swam at Penn State ... Uncle, Bill Sykes, swam for the Tribe from 1982-86 ... Aunt, Liz Sykes, graduated from W&M in 1995 ... Cousin, Amanda Russell, was a member of the class of 2011 ... Aunt, Mary Sykes, and Uncle, Daniel Sykes, both swam at Princeton ... Uncle, David Russell, swam at Tennessee ... Plans to major in finance.
Jake Stronko - 5-11, Free/Fly
Woodbridge, Va./Osbourn Park (Air Force)
Best Times:
200 free - 1:40.26
500 free - 4:39.27
100 Back - 52.75
200 back - 1:54.87
100 fly - 51.18
200 fly - 1:53.17
2010-11 (at Air Force)
Appeared sporadically through the fall season ... Had season-bests of 53.36 in the 100 fly and 1:42.35 in the 200 free.
2009-10 (at Air Force)
Competed in several dual meets throughout the season ... Best times of 1:43.65 in the 200 free and 53.03 in the 100 fly.
At Osbourn Park
USA Swimming All-American in the 200 freestyle ... Three-time all-area first team ... Named honorable mention All-Met by the Washington Post in 2009 ... Also swam for the QDD Swim Team, coached by Rick Benner ... Graduated summa cum laude.
Personal
Son of Gary and Lesli Stronko ... Enjoys traveling, foreign languages, and trying new things ... Undecided as to his collegiate major.
