Aug. 28, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's head swimming and diving coach, Dave Alexander, announced his incoming classes Wednesday afternoon. Both teams will feature 15 new faces between freshman and junior college transfers. Coach Alexander also announced the hiring of Stony Brook graduate Vladimir Sreckovic '08 as an assistant coach.

One of the most decorated incoming freshmen is Darcy Heuser from Centerville, Ohio. Heuser was named a High School All-American last year in the 500-yard freestyle and was a nationally ranked recruit. Alexander expects Heuser to be an instant challenger in the America East in the 200, 500 and 1,650-freestyle.

Another top recruit for the women's team is Christie Bodden, who will be competing this summer in the Olympics. A native of Panama, Bodden will be competing in the 100-yard backstroke in Beijing.

Joining Heuser and Bodden on the women's team will be Mallory Breen from Quispamsis, Canada (400-yard IM, 200-yard fly), Kaityln Colella from Commack, N.Y. (freestyle), Cristina Dutra from Washingtonville, N.Y., who swam for Stony Brook alum Tim Larkin in high school (freestyle), Stephanie Gross who was an Academic All-American at Fairport High School in Fairport, N.Y. (100 and 200-yard fly), Nicole Jordan from Brooktondale, N.Y. (100-yard fly, distance freestyle), Deirdre Leong from Forest Hills, N.Y., who was a YMCA National qualifier (backstroke), Shanna Murphy who was a state qualifier in the one-meter dive at Monroe-Woodbury High School in Chester, N.Y. (diver), Lindsay Peters from Point Pleasant, N.J. (freestyle, IM), Angelina Proia, a junior transfer from Monroe County Community College (butterfly), Kelsey Stranc from Chicago, Ill. (sprint freestyle), Jeysa Williams from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (200 and 400-yard IM) and Staci Woytash from Fairport, N.Y. (butterfly, 400-yard IM).

The men's team features a number of strong swimmers, including a few from top swim clubs. Ildar Khabibrakhmanov from Syosset, N.Y. swam with the Long Island Aquatic Club, Daniel Kim from Douglaston, N.Y. competed with the Flushing Flyers and Connor Murray from Hyde Park, N.Y. was a member of the Marist Swim Club.

Filling out the incoming class is Mark Anderson from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (sprint freestyle, breaststroke), Brian Ching from Great Neck, N.Y. (sprint freestyle), Sean Conway, who was a state qualifier at Connetquot High School in Oakdale, N.Y. (freestyle), Jimmy Derby from Douglaston, N.Y. (freestyle), Ian Francis from Highlands Ranch, Colo. (200-yard IM, 100-yard breaststroke), Ryan Gallagher from Westbrook, Conn. (backstroke), Zackery Good from Columbus, Ind. (distance freestyle), Nick Kolasinski from Olean, N.Y. (50 and 100-yard freestyle), Daniel Ortiz, a junior transfer from Brentwood, N.Y., who qualified for the NJCAA while at Suffolk Community College, Ben Parker from Austin, Texas (200-yard free and butterfly), James Ponticello from West Islip, N.Y. (freestyle) and Daniel Qamar from Queens Village, N.Y. (backstroke and butterfly).

"I feel really good about this class," said Coach Alexander. "They are extremely strong students, which I'm proud of, and also great athletes. Some of them should be competing for spots in the America East Championships. When you have an incoming class that can challenge for those spots, it makes everyone work harder which makes the entire team better."

Helping Coach Alexander lead the swimming & diving teams this year will be former swimmer Vladimir Sreckovic. A native of Jagodina, Serbia, Sreckovic spent three years swimming for the Seawolves, focusing mainly on the breaststroke. Sreckovic joins the swimming & diving staff as a deck assistant.