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Virginia Tech Makes Move in ACC with Big Recruit Signing

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 3

October 06th, 2011 College

The #20 recruit in the country, Joe Bonk, has made his college decision, and it’s a bit of an upset. The swimmer, ranked as the top swimmer out of the state of North Carolina, will be headed about three-and-a-half hours north to swim for Virginia Tech.

One can’t help but imagine that the brand new, $15 million Christianburg Aquatics Center had at least a small impact on Bonk’s decision. That facility was a huge upgrade for the Virginia Tech program and put them on more equal footing with some of their bigger recruiting competition in the Southeastern United States.

As for Bonk, he’s going to be a very good relay piece for the Hokies. He’s got Olympic Trials cuts in the 50 and 100 free, and his yards times in those two races are 20.34/44.40. Those two races will be his focus, though development in the 200 free (1:38.8) will be a huge bonus. His 100 free time would have been the best on the Virginia Tech team last year, and his 50 and 200’s would’ve been very close to earning that same honor.

Bonk is a product of the YMCA of the Triangle Area and coach Chad Onken, who has now earned two-straight North Carolina Coach of the Year honors.

Bonk chose Va Tech over Ohio State, Auburn, and Cal, which are three of the big powerhouses in college swimming. Big win for the Hokies.

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Jcoach
13 years ago

Wow. Congratulations to Joe and to the Va Tech coaching staff.

Swim Mom
13 years ago

Virginia Tech University????

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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