GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Head Coach Anthony Nesty and the University of Florida men’s swimming & diving team signed eight swimmers to the 2019-20 recruiting class, announced on Monday.
The class features talented student-athletes from five different states, all of which will bring an aptitude of national and international experience. The group has several high school state champions, state record holders, and national record holders.
“Coach Jungbluth and I are both excited and humbled by what these athletes can and will achieve as members of our men’s team. Additionally, these young men are of high character and will be notable ambassadors of the University of Florida,” said Coach Nesty. “Congratulations and welcome to all the 2019 members of our men’s team. This class is very talented and highlights athletes with enormous potential. They excel in the classroom and categorically represent the sport brilliantly.”
Nick Fox
Arvada, Colorado | Ralston Valley High School
- Six-time first-team all-conference
- Holds six Ralston Valley school records
- USA Swimming Scholastic All-America
- Three-time Most Valuable Swimmer
- Three-time outstanding academic athlete
- Holds three Jeffco Hurricane Records
- Why he chose UF: “I chose Florida because I want to be the best person I can be. I believe that the coaches and the team will develop me to my best potential. Also, the academics are perfect for what I want to do in the future.”
- Nesty on Nick: “Nick exemplifies the definition of student-athlete. He is a talented swimmer and an outstanding student.”
Brennan Gravley
Las Vegas, Nevada | Palo Verde High School
- USA Open Water National Team member
- Won silver in the 4×1,250 at the Jr. Open Water Worlds
- Placed third in the men’s open water nationals
- Placed fourth in the Jr. Open Water Worlds
- Why he chose UF: “I chose Florida for the abundant academic opportunities and the positive, hardworking atmosphere of the swim team.”
- Nesty on Brennan: “Brennan is one of the best open water and distance athletes in the country. We look forward to Brennan upholding the standard of our distance program and his results should prove promising in the year to come.”
Lucas Kravchenko
Cape Canaveral, Florida | Merritt Island High School
- Three-time FHSAA State Champion
- FHSAA runner-up
- NISCA All-American
- Junior national qualifier
- Why he chose UF: “I chose Florida for the state of the art swim program and academics, Coach Nesty and it was close to home.”
- Nesty on Lucas: “Lucas has been one of the best freestylers and backstrokers in the state. We are very excited to see Lucas reach his potential here at UF.”
Ethan McCloud
Vero Beach, Florida | Florida Virtual School
- 2018 FHSAA 3A State silver medalist – 100 Back and 200 IM
- 2018 Speedo Futures silver medalist – 200 Back
- 2015 Southern Zone gold medalist – 200 IM
- Why he chose UF: “It’s been my dream to be a Florida Gator since I was a kid!”
- Nesty on Ethan: “Ethan is known as one of the most talented backstrokers in the state. He is an athlete that is very committed to the sport.”
Alfonso Mestre
Pottstown, Pennsylvania | Hill School
- 2017 Futures Champion 1,500-meter Free
- Four-time Top-8 finisher at Futures Interscholastic Championships – 200 and 500 Free
- 2018 Puerto Rican National Champion – 200 Free, 200 Fly, 400 Free, and 400 IM
- Central American and Caribbean games champion – 1,500 Free
- MAPL league winner – 200 and 500 Free
- The Hill School 500 free record holder
- Why he chose UF: “I chose the University of Florida because I felt at home during my visit. I’m excited to be part of such a great tradition and to finally be able to call myself a Gator.”
- Nesty on Alfonso: “The Mestre family has a great history at UF. Alberto Mestre (father) was a Gator Great (NCAA Champion, Venezuelan Olympian). I am excited to have Alberto’s son, Alfonso, become a student-athlete. We look forward to Alfonso keeping the Mestre family name in the University of Florida record books.”
Hector Rodriguez
Winter Park, Florida | Winter Park High School
- Ranked first in the 100-meter breast in Venezuela
- Two-time All-American in the 100 Breast – 2017, 2018
- Two-time FHSAA 4A State Runner-Up 100 breast
- Winter Park High School 100 Breast record holder
- Two-time Winter Jr. Nationals qualifier
- Why he chose UF: “It’s been a personal goal of mine to swim in college. I feel like there isn’t another place where I would rather swim and study than UF.”
- Nesty on Hector: “Hector is one of the best breaststrokers in the state. Talented breastrokers are a premium asset and we know Hector will be a big contributor immediately.”
Kevin Vargas
Murrieta, California | Diamond Bar High School
- 2018 USA Jr. National Team member
- 2018 USA Jr. Nationals third place – 400 IM
- 2018 USA Jr. Nationals fourth place – 800 Free
- Why he chose UF: “I chose the University of Florida for its amazing combination of academics and athletics. Go Gators!”
- Nesty on Kevin: “It’s always great to have a national junior team member join our program. Kevin is a very versatile athlete who will fit in well with our current freshman class. We are very fortunate to have him with us.”
Tyler Watson
Jacksonville, Florida | Paxon School for Advanced Studies
- Four-time NISCA All-American
- USA Swimming Scholastic All-America
- Three-time FHSAA Champion
- Two-time Futures Champion
- Sothern Zone 200 Fly record holder
- Four-time All-First Coast Swimming
- Four-time all-conference
- Why he chose UF: “I’ve wanted to be a Gator my whole life. After spending time with the team and coaches there was no doubt in my mind that this is where I want to be.”
- Nesty on Tyler: “Tyler is one of the best student-athletes coming out of the state. We are very fortunate to have Tyler join our program in the fall. He’s a high profile athlete coming out of high school. We look forward to Tyler being part of our outstanding fly group next year.”
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