EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern head coach Jarod Schroeder announced today the complete incoming Class of 2019, comprising nine swimmers and two divers in a deep and talented group that will contribute immediately to the Wildcats’ success.
“This is the largest group that we have signed in my time here at Northwestern,” said Schroeder, who is entering his seventh season. “I’m really excited about how well rounded the class is and how we were able to cover every single stroke and distance with the make-up of the class. These nine swimmers will be a great foundation to build off of over the next four years. ”
In addition to nine swimmers, head diving coach Alik Sarkisian has a pair of divers included in the class, both of whom are expected to contribute immediately.
“I am so happy to start a new season with these talented divers,” Sarkisian said. “They are two of the hardest-working student-athletes I have ever recruited here, and both have a passion for the sport. They will make Northwestern proud.”
The Class of 2019 will matriculate to Evanston in the fall and begin competition immediately for Northwestern. Complete bios for all 11 new #B1GCats are below:
Damian Becker
6-0 • 160 • Diving
El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge
High School: In just one year of diving after transitioning to the sport in March of 2014 from gymnastics, already has achieved a high school all-America qualifying score … Competed 11 years with Extreme Gymnastics, qualifying for nationals three times … Four-time all-star via top-6 finishes at the state championships … Qualified for state and regional competitions in every year he competed … National Honor Society member, A Honor Roll and two-time first-team Scholastic All-American.
Personal: Born Damian M Becker … Son of Audrey and Dean Becker … Sister, Alexa, plays volleyball at Willamette … Chose Northwestern over California … Plans to major in engineering.
Says Sarkisian: “Damian has great potential to compete at an NCAA level, and how much he grows as an athlete will make everyone proud. I know that he loves diving and his hard training will bring us a lot of wins. He is both a great student and athlete.”
Justin Hanson
5-7 • 160 • Fly/IM
Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar
High School: Finalist in the 100 fly and 200 IM in two different years at the CIF Southern Section Championships … Part of the school record breaking 200 medley relay … Team captain … Swam 10 years with Aquazot Swim Club … National Age Group record holder in the 400 medley relay for the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-16 age groups … Has qualified for Junior Nationals every year since he was 15-years-old … Competed at the 2015 American Short Course Championships in March of 2015, lowering all of his personal-best times highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the 200 IM … CSF member for four years … Academic letter recipient … 4.0 or higher GPA for all four years of high school.
Personal: Born Justin Tyler Hanson … Son of Liz Hanson Pajer and Stephen Hanson … Chose Northwestern over Pennsylvania, UC San Diego and Indiana … Plans to major in biology with a pre-med focus.
Says Schroeder: “Justin fills an important role for us in the 200 fly and IM events. He’s a versatile swimmer with an extensive training background that will help him make an immediate contribution to our program.”
Will Hofstadter
6-3 • 165 • Freestyle
Irvine, Calif./University High School
High School: Ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the state of California and the 75th overall recruit in the entire nation by Collegeswimming.com … Competed for eight years with the JCC Waves club, finishing 11th in the 100 breast and as a B finalist in the 50 free at Junior Nationals … High School won three Pacific Coast League championships … Won individual PCL titles in the 50 free, 200 free relay and 200 medley relay in 2014 … Team captured the 2014 CIF-Southern Section Division I championship … Finished first in the 200 medley relay, second in the 50 free, fourth in the 200 free relay and ninth in the 100 free at that meet … All-county award winner … All-American in the 200 free and medley relays, and in the 50 and 100 free individual events … University High School record holder in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay while also holding the CIF record in the 200 medley relay … AP Scholar.
Personal: Born William Andrew Hofstadter … Son of Paul and Maura Hofstadter … Chose Northwestern over Cal Poly, Utah and California … Plans to major in biology.
Says Schroeder: “Will was originally recruited as a sprint freestyler. Throughout the year he has shown promise in the 100 breast as well. With the addition of a third event, Hofstadter will play an important role both individually and as a relay member.”
Thanas Kountroubis
5-11 • 165 • Breaststroke
Lansdale, Pa./North Penn
High School: All-American in 2015 in the 100 breast, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay … Won the 2015 PIAA State Championship in the 100 breast while placing fifth in the 200 IM and third in both the 200 medley and 400 free relays … 2014 PIAA State finalist in the 200 and 500 freestyles … 2013 PIAA State finalist and District 1 Champion in the 500 free … Led North Penn to undefeated dual records in the 2013-14 and 2014-15, earning Division I championships both years while finishing fourth as a team at the 2015 PIAA State meet … Current school record-holder in the 200 medley and 400 free relays … Competed with the North Penn Aquatic Club from 2004-15, earning club records in the 100 breast, 200 IM, 200 free and 200 medley relay … Qualified for Junior Nationals in 2014 in the 100 breast … Winner of the Coach Gabi Award in 2008-09 and the Frank W. Bartle Memorial Award from 2012-14 … Also a standout in water polo, was named third-team All-Conference in 2015 while earning the Outstanding Sophomore Athlete award in 2013 … North Penn water polo finished as the state runner-up in 2014 … National Honor Society member … Board member for the North Penn Strategic Planning Committee.
Personal: Born Athanasios Kountroubis … Son of Tinos and Jane Kountroubis … High school and club teammate of fellow Wildcat swimmer Jack Morris … Board member of Sarantaporo.gr, a nonprofit organization initiating the expansion of Internet access to remote villages of Greece … Chose Northwestern over Duke, Texas A&M and Penn State … Plans to major in economics with a minor in business institutions.
Says Schroeder: “Thanas has had a breakout senior year in the breast and IM events. We graduated our top 100 breast specialist this year, so Thanas’ impact will be felt immediately. Throughout the recruiting process, Thanas demonstrated that Northwestern was the place where he wanted to be, and we are looking forward to adding him to our program.”
Tyler Lis
5-11 • 160 • Back/Fly
Longmont, Colo./Silver Creek
High School: Four-time all-conference, three-time all-state and two-time state champion … Named the Longmont Times Call Swimmer of the Year in 2014 … Team MVP as a sophomore and junior … Owns five school records: 100 back, 200 IM, 100 fly, 500 free and 200 free … Competed with Rally Sport Aquatics (RACE) from 2012-15, earning three team records, two pool records and an all-time top-10 spot in club history in eight different events … Co-valedictorian of his high school class … Student body secretary … NHS vice president … Leadership Academy Secretary … Four-year honor roll member.
Personal: Born Tyler Queiroz Lis … Son of Randy Lis and Tania Queiroz … Dual citizen of the United States and Brazil … Chose Northwestern over Boston University, Columbia and Denver … Plans to major in political science.
Says Schroeder: “Tyler is a great addition to the middle distance training group. He has had recent success in the 200 back and 400 IM, and is going to add a lot of depth in his main events. He has the potential to score at the conference level in the 400 IM as a freshman. More importantly, Tyler is a proven leader outside of the pool and will reinforce the team culture we have established here at Northwestern.”
Ben Magliato
6-2 • 160 • Diving
Bethesda, Md./Sidwell Friends School
High School: Competed with the Montgomery Diver Club for four years … 2013 USA Diving Age Group National Platform bronze medalist … 2014 USA Diving Age Group National fourth-place finisher in the 3-meter springboard event … 2013 and 2014 Junior Olympic national qualifier … Three-time high school all-American who went undefeated in all Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim & Dive League and Mid-Atlantic Conference dual and championship meets from his sophomore through his senior years … Back-to-back-to-back Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim & Dive League diving champion and three-time WMPSSDL Diver of the Year, winning the title in 2015 by over 60 points … Three-time all-league selection … 2014 Washington Metro Interscholastic Diving champion … One of three Division I athletes to come out of one of the most elite schools in the DC area this year.
Personal: Born Bennett Nicholas Magliato … Son of Nick and Jenifer Magliato … Twin sister, Samantha, recruited to play basketball at Case Western Reserve … Good friends and teammate with NU Class of 2018 women’s diver Mashal Hashem … Chose Northwestern over Iowa, Wisconsin, Yale and Duke … Plans to major in physics and Spanish.
Says Sarkisian: “Ben is a very talented diver who desires to compete at an elite level at the NCAA meet. His great passion for the sport and determination will lead to great success. He is currently diving at the national level in all 3 events: 1m, 3m and platform. In my eight years at NU he is one of the most talented divers we have signed.”
Anthony Marcantonio
6-0 • 180 • Breast/Back
Centerville, Mass./Boston College High School
High School: Swam club for Crimson Aquatics under Kyle Schack, a former assistant coach at Northwestern … Three-time USA Junior Nationals qualifier, two-time USA Nationals and U.S. Open qualifier and an Olympic Trials qualifier … Ranked as the 38th overall recruit in the nation by Collegeswimming.com … Crimson Aquatics record holder in the 100 back … Member of the 400 and 800 LCM freestyle relays that hold the New England records … Earned six podium finishes at the 2015 Speedo Champions Series in Ithaca, N.Y., in March of 2015, winning the 200 IM, 400 IM and 100 breast while finishing second in the 200 back and 200 breast and third in the 100 back … AP Scholar … USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in 12 different events.
Personal: Born Anthony Michael Marcantonio … Son of Robert and Nicolle Marcantonio … Chose Northwestern over Texas … Plans to major in economics.
Says Schroeder: “Anthony is one of the most well-rounded athletes in the recruiting class. He really has no apparent weakness and will play an impactful role as soon as he steps on campus. His main events will be primarily the IM and breast, but the great thing about his versatility is that we can swim him wherever we need him.”
Carter Page
6-1 • 165 • Freestyle
Sarasota, Fla./Riverview
High School: Seventh-ranked swimmer in the state of Florida and ranked 108th overall in the 2015 class by Collegeswimming.com … Swam 10 years of club with the Sarasota YMCA Sharks, winning the 2012, 2013 and 2015 YMCA team national championships … Won the individual 2015 YMCA Short Course National Championship in the 200 free while finishing second in the 1,650 free and third in the 1,000 free … Placed 22nd in the nation in the 1,650 free at the 2014 AT&T Winter Nationals, primarily against collegiate competition … Also was 30th in the 500 free and 35th in the 200 free at that meet … Won the 2015 Florida 4A state title in the 500 free while finishing second in the 100 free and 200 free, helping lead his high school to the team state championship … High school all-American … Scholar-Athlete … National Honor Society member.
Personal: Born Carter James Page … Son of Melissa Cleary and John Page … Chose Northwestern over Pennsylvania … Plans to major in environmental engineering.
Says Schroeder: “Carter is a freestyle specialist who has been successful from the 200 on up to the 1650. From a training and performance standpoint, he will be a fine addition to our distance and middle distance training groups. He will have an immediate impact at the conference level in the distance events.”
Arjun Sharma
6-0 • 165 • Butterfly
Alamo, Calif./The College Preparatory School
High School: Five-time All-American and all-league for all four years of high school … Owns his school records in the 100 fly as well as with the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays … Was a North Coast Section finalist and honoree, finishing second in the 100 fly in 2014 … Swam four years of club with the Walnut Creek Aquabears, earning multiple all-time top-10 times, several team records, qualifying for and competing at Junior Nationals, and qualifying for the U.S. Open … Won the 100 free at the California 2014 Speedo Champions Series in December of 2014.
Personal: Born Arjun Sharma … Son of Rohit and Vandana Sharma … Plans to major in biology.
Says Schroeder: “Arjun has had some big time drops in the 100 fly and sprint events. He has shown promise in the 200 fly as well. He will be a welcome addition to an already outstanding fly training group, and will find himself in an impactful role both in dual meets and the championship meet at the end of the year.”
Ryan Tate
6-0 • 180 • Back/Fly
Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep
High School: 2015 Nebraska State champion in the 100 fly and 200 IM as well as the 200 medley and 400 free relays … Also won an individual state crown in the 200 IM as a sophomore in 2013 … High school won Nebraska state team titles in each year of his career, running its streak to nine in a row to tie the record for the most consecutive championships … Team won the 2015 title with the most points in Nebraska history … Swam with state-record-breaking 200 free and 400 free relays in 2014, winning the state title in the 200 free relay … Earned six total relay state championships during his prep career … Has competed in club with Swim Omaha since 2005 … 2013/15 Junior Nationals qualifier … 2015 Speedo Sectionals Central Section Region VIII 100 fly champion … National French Honor Society member.
Personal: Born Ryan Tyler Tate … Son of Bernadette and Ellis Tate … Twin brother, Sean, will attend Duke … Chose Northwestern over Utah, Minnesota and Penn State … Anticipated major is undeclared.
Says Schroeder: “Ryan has got a lot of untapped potential. He swam primarily IM and fly during the high school season, but he has shown promise in the sprint freestyles as well. He definitely has the tools to take a big step forward in our program. We are looking forward to helping him reach his swimming potential.”
Jack Thorne
5-10 • 170 • Back/Free
Berthoud, Colo./Thompson Valley
High School: Ranked as the No. 2 recruit from the state of Colorado and the 121st overall recruit in the nation by Collegeswimming.com … Earned top-16 finishes in the 500 free and 200 back at the 2014 Speedo Winter Junior Championships … Competed for Thompson Valley High School while attending Berthoud High School … Won the Colorado state championships and broke the 4A classification record in the 100 back in 2013 and 2014 … Two-time all-state and all-area … Three-time Team MVP … Competed with the Loveland Swim Club for six years.
Personal: Born John Langhorne Thorne … Son of Jodi Juskie and Chris Thorne … Has an uncle who played baseball at Northwestern … Chose Northwestern over Wisconsin and Virginia … Plans to major in psychology and sociology.
Says Schroeder: “Jack is a freestyle and backstroke specialist who will play an important role as a freshman. This spring he has already posted a time that would have put him near the top of the Big Ten in the 100 back. He has great underwaters and will be a player at the conference level in the years to come.”
Swimming news courtesy of Northwestern Swimming.