Swimming and Diving Signs Seven In Early Period
12/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 5, 2007
PITTSBURGH-University of Pittsburgh Head Coach Chuck Knoles announced the addition of seven Panthers for the fall of 2008 and one for the spring semester of this season, in the early signing period. The three women and four men mark one of the most talented classes the Panthers have signed in recent years. Joining the Panthers in January of 2008 will be Ville Tirroniemi, while Steven Forrest, Jake Lucas, Alex Navarro, Megan Bender, Tamara Lelli and Elena Spak arrive to Pitt for the 2008-09 season.
"These seven will make an immediate impact on the Panthers' quest to return to the top of the Big East," Knoles said. "With the signing of these athletes, our recruiting season is off to a tremendous start and we look forward to adding even more top-notch swimmers to our roster during the Spring."
The first to compete for the Panthers, Tirroniemi will arrive on campus in January and give the butterfly team an immediate boost. He has top times of 24.65 and 55.14 in the 50 and 100 LCM butterfly events and posted a 2:02.25 in the 200 butterfly SCM.
"Ville has tremendous experience in his native Finland as well as on the European stage," Knoles said. "We look forward to him competing for us second semester and helping use his experience to lead the Panthers."
Forrest joins the Panthers from central Pennsylvania after an awesome 2007 long course season. He has improved to become an exciting butterfly swimmer with top times of 58.87 and 2:06.97 in the LCM fly events.
"Steven had a breakout year this summer," Knoles commented. "He dropped seven seconds in his 200 meter fly, and we feel that as we develop his strength and conditioning he will be an impact swimmer for the Panthers in the fly."
Navarro joins the squad all the way from the West Coast. A freestyler, he has swum top times of 1:54.44 in the LCM 200 free and 4:30.89 in the SCY 500 free.
"Alex is a two-time senior national qualifier," Knoles exclaimed. "With his size, we look forward to him leading our middle distance group to the top of the conference."
Lucas, a native of Midland, Va., is the final addition to the men's squad from the early signing period. Full of potential in the butterfly, he posted times of 23.03 and 50.53 in the SCY fly events.
"Jake visited us very late in the early signing period," Knoles noted. "We knew we liked him as soon as he arrived. He has great size and excitement and will score for the Panthers."
For the women, Bender joins the Panthers from Allen Park, Mich. A dynamic backstroker, she is also a state champion. Bender placed in the top three in two events during the YMCA Nationals and has top times of 56.78 in the 100 back and 2:03.88 in the 200 back.
"Megan is a tremendous backstroker," Knoles commented. "She won the 2006 Michigan State Championship, and finished in the top three in two out of the three backstroke events at the 2007 Summer YMCA Nationals. She is a welcomed addition to our backstroke group."
From Scottsdale, Ariz., Lelli joins the Panthers after a phenomenal state championship meet, where she earned the 100 fly crown. Her best times include a 2:03.25 in the 200 fly and a 55.79 in the 100 fly.
"Tamara had a tremendous end to her high school career," Knoles said. "She finished as the repeat state champ in the 100 fly. We look forward to her arriving at Pitt and leading a very deep team of flyers."
Joining a very talented Panther sprint group, Spak is a native of Rockville, Md. She is a versatile swimmer who will also assist in the middle distance events. Her best times in the free events are 23.60 (50), 51.21 (100), and 1:51.15 (200).
"We had the great fortune to watch Elena compete in Indianapolis this past summer," Knoles added. "Even though she was still getting over mono, she had some excellent swims. She has as good of a feel of the water as any freestyler I've seen.
"I am extremely pleased with the athletes we were able to sign early," Knoles continued. "Our goal is to work our way to the top of the Big East conference which will in turn help us to excel on the national level as well. With 28 Big East Conference Championships, there is great tradition here at Pitt to be the best. These athletes will help us take huge steps to get there. We look forward to their arrival and helping the Panthers continue on their journey to return to the top of the conference."