Men's Swimming And Diving Recruiting Class 2000-2001
5/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Men's Swimming And Diving Recruiting Class 2000-2001
5/22/2000
PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh head men's swimming coach Chuck Knoles has announced the signing of eight recruits to national letters of intent for the 2000-01 season. Knoles, the 2000 Big East Men's Coach of the Year, plans to utilize the talent of all nine newcomers to replace the loss of an outstanding senior class that led Pittsburgh to four straight conference championships.
"Without a doubt, this will be the largest class of incoming swimmers and divers that we have ever had at Pittsburgh," said Knoles, who will begin his 11th season at the helm of the Panthers in 2000-01. "The excitement that was generated about our program throughout the state after such a successful year was phenomenal. This class will help us make our assault on the Top 20 in the nation in men's Division I swimming and diving."
Eric Drummond
6'3"
Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park
Events: 100 Back, 100 Free
"Eric is a big local swimmer with pure and raw talent. He is hungry to make a contribution to our program in his first year and I think he has the talent to do so."
Randy Gertenbach
6'0"
Phoenix, Ariz./Paradise Valley
Events: 100/200 Breast
"After losing four Panthers who were in the top of the Big East to graduation this year, Randy gives us a breath of life in the breaststroke events. He has his Olympic Trial cuts in the 200 breast. Randy will be our mainstay in the breaststroke in the coming years."
Chris Hurt
5'11"
Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City North
Events: 500/1000/1650 Free
"Adding Christ Hurt to our numbers will give us needed depth in our emerging distance program. Chris is an experienced d-man who, along with Eric Limkemann, should give us great balance throughout out distance program."
Eric Limkemann
6'3"
New Haven, Ind./Woodland
Events: 500/1000/1650 Free
"Eric was an early signee. His size and his prowess in the distance events and in the 400 IM will give us quite a punch in those events. Eric is also on academic scholarship at Pittsburgh. He has lofty goals which he intends to see through to fruition."
Matthew Schwartz
5'6"
Huntington, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills
Events: Diving
"According to Diving Coach Julian Krug, Matthew has enough talent to be very successful in the Big East and on the national scene in diving, starting as early as his freshman year at Pittsburgh. He helps give us a very powerful diving contingent."
Ken Shelhorse
6'2"
Gaithersburg, Md./Damascus
Events: 200 Back, 200 Fly
"The sky is the limit for Ken. He is, in my mind, one of the best finds that we have had in recent years. Ken had the ability to be a great collegiate backstroker, freestyler and flyer."
Max vonBodungen
5'11"
Sweden/U. of Minnesota
Events: 100/200/500 Free, 200 Fly
"Max has experience in knowing what it takes to get to the NCAA Championships. His outstanding freestyle middle distance talents, added to our existing athletes, give Pittsburgh a realistic shot at qualifying swimmers in freestyle relays at the 2001 NCAA Championships."
Adam Webber
6'5"
Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest
Events: 100/200/500 Free
"Adam brings great size and talent to the Pittsburgh squad. Mainly a middle distance freestyler, Adam will expand his repertoire his freshman year to include the backstroke events and perhaps also the IM."