MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following the program’s first undefeated dual-meet season in 11 years, West Virginia University swimming & diving coach Vic Riggs has announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the men’s roster for the 2018-19 season.
Take a look at our 2018-19 men’s signees! We’re excited to welcome all nine of them to Morgantown! https://t.co/Kbn8Vv5Lya #HailWV pic.twitter.com/wM6m4UqHgd
— WVU Swim & Dive (@WVUSwimDive) July 19, 2018
The incoming class features Ben Brooks (Avon, Ohio/Eastern Michigan), Hudson Carroll (New Paltz, New York/Buffalo), Nick Cover (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania/Chambersburg Area High), Josh Harlan (Albuquerque, New Mexico/Cibola High), Tom Hubbard (Cary, North Carolina/Cardinal Gibbons High), Fausto Huerta (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/SPIRE Institute), PJ Lenz (Prior Lake, Minnesota/Prior Lake High), Josh Madzy (Apollo, Pennsylvania/Kiski Area High) and Christopher O’Shea (Miller Place, New York/Eastern Michigan).
The newcomers join the Mountaineers after the 2017-18 team finished a perfect 5-0 in dual meets and earned a second-place finish at the 2018 Big 12 Championship.
“This men’s class has a great mix of talent and experience,” Riggs said. “Each of them exemplifies what being a Mountaineer swimmer and diver is with their strong character, academics and athletic ability, and we are excited to welcome them to our program. As we move forward, each of these men will contribute immediately and help our program reach new heights.”
“I’m thrilled to have these two divers coming in to fill the shoes of our recent graduating seniors,” WVU diving coach Michael Grapner said. “They are going to be the new standard for the future of WVU diving.”
Ben Brooks
Avon, Ohio | Eastern Michigan/Avon HS/Lake Shore Swim Club
Top Times
100 Breast: 55.83
200 Breast: 1:59.20
200 IM: 1:48.63
Brooks on WVU: “I chose West Virginia because of the academics and the athletic opportunities that the school offers. I feel like the team and coaches can help me achieve my goals. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Riggs on Brooks: “Ben will be a great addition to a very strong breaststroke and individual medley group. Coming to WVU from Eastern Michigan, he has the goals and commitment to his swimming that are in line with our men’s program. We look forward to Ben’s contribution.”
Hudson Carroll
New Paltz, New York | Buffalo/New Paltz High/Hawks Swim Club
Top Times
100 Back: 48.12
200 Back: 1:46.76
Carroll on WVU: “I chose WVU because the academic program was the perfect fit for me. The big-time feel, the wilderness, the camaraderie, it all spoke to the greatness of the University. I’m so excited that I also get to finish out my swimming career here, and I hope to contribute to such a great place. Go Mountaineers!”
Riggs on Carroll: “Hudson will be a very strong addition to our backstroke group. With his experience from Buffalo and competing at the Division I level, I look for Hudson to not only contribute in the pool, but also bring his experience as captain at Buffalo to our team.”
Nick Cover
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania | Chambersburg Area High/Montgomery Dive Club
Top Scores
1-meter (11 dives): 572.95
3-meter (11 dives): 493.05
Cover on WVU: “I chose WVU because when I walked around the campus for the first time, I instantly fell in love with Morgantown. Everyone around me was so kind and caring. It felt like I was a part of the family already. It felt like home, and it will become my home.”
Grapner on Cover: “Nick is an outstanding diver who comes from a very competitive program. He has experience on springboard and platform, with platform being his most competitive event. He will bring a great attitude and positive presence to the diving team. In addition, Nick is a very good student, who plans to pursue engineering here at WVU.”
Josh Harlan
Albuquerque, New Mexico | Cibola High/Vipers of Albuquerque Swim Team
Top Times
100 Back: 50.83
200 Back: 1:46.53
100 Breast: 56.29
200 Breast: 2:02.77
100 Fly: 51.10
200 Fly: 1:51.68
200 IM: 1:47.05
400 IM: 3:50.23
Harlan on WVU: “I chose to be a Mountaineer because the moment I got to the school, I felt like part of the team, and the school pride was immense.”
Riggs on Harlan: “From the first moment Coach Gordy contacted me about Josh, it became apparent he would be a great fit for our program. Josh is strong in all four strokes, but his backstroke and individual medley events really stand out. His versatility is such a strong aspect to his swimming. It will be fun to work with him as he makes the transition into a Division I athlete.”
Tom Hubbard
Cary, North Carolina | Cardinal Gibbons High/Raleigh Swimming Association
Top Times
200 Free: 1:42.66
500 Free: 4:34.89
1,000 Free: 9:31.55
1,650 Free: 16:02.90
Hubbard on WVU: “I am excited for the academic and athletic opportunities that are offered as a Mountaineer. The location and traditions made being a Mountaineer the only choice for me. I am so thankful for the chance to spend the next four years representing WVU.”
Riggs on Hubbard: “Tom’s mid-distance and distance freestyle events will be a strong addition to our mid-distance groups. With a good backstroke and individual medley as well, we look forward to watching him develop in our program.”
Fausto Huerta
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | SPIRE Institute/Colegio San Judas Tadeo/Delfines del Naco
Top Times
50 Breast: 28.92 (long course meters)
100 Breast: 1:03.50 (long course meters)
200 Breast: 2:21.59 (long course meters)
Huerta on WVU: “I really enjoyed the campus and the facilities that WVU gives to the athletes to develop their sports at a high level. I chose WVU because I think I can make a big impact academically and in the pool.”
Riggs on Huerta: “When I spoke with former WVU swimmer Thad Shultz, who coaches Fausto, I became extremely excited about his interest in WVU. When meeting Fausto on his visit, it became apparent that Thad was right about WVU getting a person of strong character and desire to do well. Fausto’s addition to a strong breaststroke group will make it fun to coach and watch.”
PJ Lenz
Prior Lake, Minnesota | Prior Lake High/North Star Diving Club
Top Scores
1-meter (6 dives): 286.75
1-meter (11 dives): 496.30
3-meter (11 dives): 483.30
Lenz on WVU: “The people are like a family, and the great culture was one that I’d like to be a part of. WVU gives me a great chance to further my academic and athletic goals and be a part of a team with such a bright future.”
Grapner on Lenz: “PJ is that diamond in the rough diver I couldn’t be more excited to coach. He has come a long way in two years and recently won the Minnesota state championship and qualified for U.S. Diving Nationals. The sky is the limit for PJ. He’s also an excellent student who will represent WVU diving well in the classroom and on the boards.”
Josh Madzy
Apollo, Pennsylvania | Kiski Area High/Cavalier Swim Club
Top Times
100 Back: 51.66
200 Back: 1:53.51
Madzy on WVU: “WVU is a school that offers a tremendous amount of opportunities. I know there are no limits with this outstanding and determined group of coaches and athletes. Let’s Go Mountaineers!”
Riggs on Madzy: “Josh made it clear from the beginning he wanted to be a Mountaineer. From getting to know him over the past two years, he made a very strong impression. We are looking forward to his development in the backstroke and mid-distance free events.”
Christopher O’Shea
Miller Place, New York | Eastern Michigan/Rocky Point High/Three Village Swim Club
Top Times
50 Free: 20.28
100 Back: 49.26
200 Back: 1:46.44
O’Shea on WVU: “I chose WVU because it gave me a feeling like home. It’s a great, positive, motivated atmosphere. I can’t wait to see where this road takes me.”
Riggs on O’Shea: “From the minute Chris was on campus, I knew he would make a great Mountaineer. A very strong backstroker with his sprint freestyle developing, Chris will have an immediate impact in those events.”
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Let’s go!