Modified from Press Release courtesy of Princeton Athletic Communications
The Princeton men’s swimming and diving team will bring in several nationally ranked recruits in the Class of 2018.
After seeing its reign of five straight Ivy League Championships end this past year, the Princeton men’s swimming and diving team has brought in a highly touted recruiting class that it believes will immediately strengthen its pursuit of the 2015 league championship.
Besides returning a number of championship finalists from the last two Ivy League Championship meets, the Tigers will bring in eight recruits (six swimmers, two divers) to comprise its Class of 2018.
“I’m excited to get this group of guys into DeNunzio Pool and our Princeton family,” head coach Rob Orr said. “Not only do their accolades and accomplishments speak for themselves, but they all passionately wanted to be part of our program. They are high-character guys who will strengthen the team both in and out of the water.”
Zach Buerger: Fly/Back/IM/free • Wexford, Pa. • North Allegheny / Club: Allegheny North Swim Club
200 IM: 1:45.64
100y fly: 48.21
200y fly: 1:46.35
100y free: 44.18
200y free: 1:37.62
500y free: 4:22.75
100y back: 48.74
200y back: 1:47.92
Quick Facts: 2014 Most Outstanding Swimmer at the PIAA Championships … four-time Pennsylvania state champion (twice apiece in the 500 free and 200 IM) … invited to both short course and long course National and Junior National swim competitions.
Liam Fitzgerald: Diving • Thornton, Pa. • Bayard Rustin
Quick Facts: PIAA AAA state runner-up as a senior; also placed fourth as a junior … three-time invitee to Summer Nationals and two-time invitee to Spring East Nationals … holds school records in both six-dive (297.90) and 11-dive (529.30) categories.
Drew Jung: Diving • Belmont, Calif. • Carlmont
Quick Facts: CCS finalist … set the Carlmont diving record … captain of both high school and club team … three-time national qualifier in gymnastics.
Liam Karas: IM • Los Angeles, Calif. • Corona Del Mar / Club: Aquazot Swim Club
200y IM: 1:46.54 / 200m IM: 2:07.92
100 free: 45.28 / 100m free: 52.82
200 free: 1:39.54 / 100m free: 1:56.26
100y breast: 57.34
200y back: 1:50.30
Quick Facts: set the Corona Del Mar 200 IM record … 2013 CIF runner-up in the 200 IM; second to future teammate Corey Okubo … high school captain.
Alex Lewis: Free/Fly/Back • Greenwich, Conn. • Greenwich / Club: Greenwich YWCA Dolphins
100y back: 48.59 / 100m back: 58.63
100y fly: 48.13
200y back: 1:47.28
100y free: 44.16
50y free: 20.21
200 IM: 1:49.43
Quick Facts: Summer and Winter Junior Nationals competitor … three-time state champion in the 100 back; also won state titles in the 100 fly and 100 free … holds multiple high school records.
Corey Okubo: Fly/Back/IM • Irvine, Calif. • University / Club: Aquazot Swim Club
200y back: 1:43.61 (would have placed 3rd at Ivies) / 200m back: 2:01.47
400y IM: 3:48.95 (would have placed 2nd at Ivies) / 400m IM: 4:18.90
200y fly: 1:44.50 (would have placed 4th at Ivies) / 200m fly: 1:58.28
200y IM: 1:45.42 (would have won Ivies) / 200m IM: 2:03.81
100y fly: 47.53
100y back: 48.74
Quick Facts: member of the National Junior Team (200 back, 200 fly, 400 IM) … competed in four events at the 2012 Olympic Trials, including 18th-place finish in the 200 fly … five-time All-America … competed at both Summer and Winter Nationals and Junior Nationals.
Ben Schafer: Free/Fly • Sydney, Aust. • Sydney Grammar School
50m free: 23.35
100m free: 51.08
100m fly: 54.79
200m free: 1:54.38
Quick Facts: won the bronze medal in the 100 fly at the Australian Age Championships … named Swimmer of the Meet at both his school conference and the independent schools conference championships … won gold in 4×100 Medley relay at Australian open championships.
Tyler Sullivan: Free/Back • Louisville, Ken. • Louisville Collegiate / Club: Lakeside Swim Team
200y back: 1:48.43 / 200m back: 2:05.62
200y free: 1:39.06 / 200m free: 1:55.82
500y free: 4:30.57
100y back: 51.16 / 100m back: 59.81
100y free: 46.02 / 100m free: 53.68
Quick Facts: won three Kentucky state championships … qualified for Summer and Winter Junior Nationals, as well as Winter Nationals … graduates with two Kentucky state records and eight school records … four-time team MVP and club team MVP.