CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina men’s and women’s swimming head coach Rich DeSelm recently signed an outstanding group of nine recruits during the Fall 2015 National Letter-of-Intent period which ended last month.
UNC has added four men swimmers and four women swimmers who will begin their academic and swimming careers at UNC in August 2016. Adding to the total, one transfer student will join the UNC women’s team for the spring semester in 2016, enrolling at Carolina next month.
“We are extremely excited to have a great group of men and women commit to North Carolina. Throughout the recruiting process, each of these fantastic individuals connected with all of the great things about UNC – our school, the team, the opportunities here and the support that are all part of the Carolina experience,” said DeSelm. “These future Tar Heels are strong students and tremendous athletes who each bring competitive skills that will help us be better in the years ahead.”
In alphabetical order here are brief bios on each individual signed during the fall period beginning with the men’s signees.
NEWEST TAR HEEL MEN
Greg Brocato hails from Ambler, Pa. Brocato is a sprint butterfly and freestyle swimmer who attends LaSalle College High School where he swam for the late Frank Lichtner and is currently coached there by Steve Duncheskie. Brocato also competes in club swimming for Central Bucks Swim Team coached by Stu Kulka. Brocato’s top short course yards times are 20.09 in the 50-yard freestyle, 43.91 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:37.71 in the 200-yard freestyle and 48.37 in the 100-yard butterfly. He also excels in long course swimming, having posted a 53.50 in the 100-meter butterfly and 51.61 in the 100-meter freestyle.
Greg Brocato on choosing UNC: “I chose UNC because it has everything I want in a school – an incredible team atmosphere, outstanding academics, and energized and committed coaches who are dedicated to their athletes. I cannot wait to be a Tar Heel!”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Greg Brocato: “Greg visited UNC during his junior year and we knew he would be a tremendous fit. He is mature and easy to relate to, excels academically and will add tremendous value to the team in his events, relays and as a leader.”
Brendan Feehery is from Flower Mound, Texas and attends Jesuit College Prep in Dallas. He competes for the Lakeside Aquatic Club and is coached there by Craig Harris. A backstroker and individual medley swimmer, Feehery’s career best short course times are 49.81/1:46.04 in the 100 & 200 yard backstrokes and 1:47.60/3:54.09 in the 200 & 400 yard individual medleys. His comparable top long course times are 56.92/2:04.01 in the backstrokes and 2:06.53/4:29.05 in the individual medley events.
Brendan Feehery on choosing UNC: “I chose UNC because it fit everything I was looking for in a school – great academics, an awesome coaching staff, and a highly competitive team. I knew it was where I wanted to be immediately after getting on campus.”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Brendan Feehery: “Brendan expressed interest in UNC early on in the process. He possess some great qualities that we look for in prospects – maturity, strong communication, the desire to pursue a meaningful and marketable degree, wanting to be part of a great team and the willingness to work toward lofty goals.”
Jorden Merrilees is from North Melbourne, Australia and is transferring to UNC from Oakland University in Michigan. Jordan attended high school in Australia and swam for Melbourne Vicentre Club under coach Craig Jackson. His best times in yards are 1:35.55 & 4:16.72 in the 200-yard & 500-yard freestyles, 1:43.15 in the 200-yard backstroke and 3:45.73 in the 400-yard individual medley. The Australian’s top long course times are as follows: 1:49.97 in the 200-meter freestyle, 2:03.39 in the 200-meter backstroke, and 2:03.04 & 4:23.27 for 200 & 400-meter individual medley events.
Jorden Merrilees on attending UNC: “I am very honored to be given the opportunity to attend North Carolina, it is such a prestigious school and offers me lots of opportunities to grow as an individual in all aspects of life. I look forward to being at North Carolina, competing in swimming and pursuing my degree.”
Coach DeSelm on Merrilees: “Jordan is a talented swimmer and brings high quality in a number of events to our team. He has a nice range of events and will bring value to several relays. We like his desire to compete for Australia and on the international level, as well.”
Graham Weaver resides in Charlotte, N.C. and attends South Mecklenburg High School and swims for coach Leslie Berens. Graham competes for SwimMAC Carolina and is currently coached there by Peter Verhoff. Weaver is a sprinter and breaststroker, with times of 20.48, 45.46 & 1:39.14 in the 50-yard, 100-yard & 200-yard freestyles and 56.77 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Graham’s father, Britt, swam at UNC and graduated in 1984.
Graham Weaver on choosing UNC: “I chose UNC because of its rigorous academics, outstanding athletic department, and incredible swim team. UNC has a long history of producing top-level swimmers and the men’s team was one of the most welcoming and engaging groups of guys that I’ve ever met. I cannot wait to join the long tradition of success at Chapel Hill and represent the Tar Heels in the pool. Go Heels!”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Graham Weaver – “Graham is a tremendous student and is improving rapidly in the pool. We believe he will excel academically and contribute in many ways. It is terrific, as well, to have another second generation Carolina swimmer on the team.
NEWEST TAR HEEL WOMEN
Macey Arnold, from Palm City, Florida, attended Martin County High School and swam for Treasure Coast Aquatics, coached by Pat Toner. She is transferring to UNC from Towson University and will be eligible to compete in January 2016. Her best short course yards times in the freestyles are 1:46.43, 4:44.44 and 16:12.69 in the 200, 500 & 1650-yard distances.
Macey Arnold on choosing UNC: “UNC is a wonderful university where I will be able to further develop as a student and as a swimmer. The team and coaches are enthusiastic about bettering themselves and each other, and the university’s atmosphere is very welcoming.”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Macey Arnold: “We have gotten to know Macey quickly and are excited about her joining us at UNC as she will add to our team culture in many positive ways, including her capacity in the pool. She will help anchor our distance group and has the potential to be on several relays. Macey is a tremendous student, a hard worker and our team is looking forward to her arrival at UNC.”
Brooke Bauer lives in Louisville, Ky., attends Sacred Heart Academy and swims with the Lakeside Seahawks, coached by Mike DeBoor. She is primarily a freestyle sprinter with best times of 22.87, 50.24 & 1:50.89 in the 50, 100 & 200-yard freestyles. She has also posted long course times of 25.79 & :57.07 in the 50 and 100-meter freestyles.
Brooke Bauer on choosing UNC: “I chose UNC because of the family-like team atmosphere and the opportunities the school provided me to become the best student-athlete that I can be!”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Brooke Bauer: “It is terrific to have another swimmer from the Lakeside Seahawks. Brooke is a great young lady with a lot of raw speed. We think she will be great as a team member and competitor in the water. We will be counting on her speed in the sprints and relays as well as developing the upper end of her range.”
Meghan Dupay hails from Huntersville, N.C., attends Hough High School and swims for Coach Pam Swander at SwimMac Carolina. She is a breaststroke and individual medley specialist with best times of 1:02.92 & 2:15.62 in the breaststrokes and 2:03.65 & 4:24.23 in the IM’s.
Meghan Dupay on choosing UNC: “Within the first five minutes of being at Chapel Hill, I immediately fell in love with the team, the coaching staff, and the school’s academics. I know that UNC will help me succeed both in and out of the pool and I can’t wait to get started!”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Meghan Dupay: “Meghan is a strong student and will fit in great at UNC. We are graduating several breaststroke/IM’ers from this year’s team and look for Meghan to assume a significant role on the team right away.”
Kylie Mihok is from Zionsville, Ind., attending Zionsville Community High School and swimming for both the school and Zionsville Swim Club under Eric Myer. She is a middle distance freestyler with best times of 50.64 & 1:48.88 in the 100 & 200-yard freestyles. In long course meters, Kylie has gone 57.32 & 2:05.67 in those respective events.
Kylie Mihok on choosing UNC: “Nothing can beat the team atmosphere and academic opportunities offered at UNC. I can’t wait for the next four years in Chapel Hill!”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Kylie Mihok: “Kylie was the second woman to commit this year, almost immediately after her visit. She has untapped potential in the middle distance freestyle events and we know she will be an asset to the team in the pool, the classroom and as a teammate.”
Reni Moshos hails from Gainesville, Va. and attends The Highland School. She swims for Nations Capital Swim Team at the site coached by Jeremy Linn. She will be counted on to swim a variety of events due to her versatility. Her best times in short course yards are: 23.34, 51.01, 1:50.13 in freestyle, 54.89 & 1:57.28 in backstroke and 2:00.12 & 4:13.78 in the IM’s.
Reni Moshos on choosing UNC: “I chose UNC because as soon as I met the team. I knew I had found my family for the next four years. They were all so encouraging, nice and inviting. The campus is beautiful and there is a perfect balance of academics and athletics that I was looking for. I am so proud to be a Tar Heel and I can’t wait for next year! ”
Coach Rich DeSelm on Reni Moshos: “Reni and her parents visited early last summer and, within a week, she made a verbal commitment to attend UNC. Since then, Reni has continued to improve and will bring significant depth and range to the team in her events. Reni will fit in great with the culture of our team.”
Swimming news courtesy of UNC Swimming & Diving.