July 27, 2005
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army head swimming and diving coach John O'Neill welcomed 21 Cadet athletes into his program June 27 with the arrival of the USMA Class of 2009. The group includes 14 men and seven women who have the potential to make an immediate impact.
"We are excited about this year's class," commented O'Neill. "The depth of this group is certainly among the best in several years. The recruits are very talented, versatile and eager to make an impact on our program. I am confident that they will be ready to meet that challenge."
Headlining the men's class are seven high school All-Americans, two state champions, a regional champion and four Junior National qualifiers. Leading this group is Patrick Elerding, a breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley specialist from Prosser, Wash., who was a four-time All-American at Sunnyside Christian High School. He is a 2004 state breaststroke champion, and the most versatile swimmer among the newcomers.
Warner Allison is a sprint freestyle specialist from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., where he set school records in the 50 and 100 freestyle. He finished runner-up last year at the AAA state meet in the 50 free.
Anthony Chung specialized in distance free, butterfly and IM events at Poquoson High School in Poquoson, Va., along with competing for Typhoon Aquatics.
Ryan McDaniel is a 2005 All-American diver from Northside Health Careers in Helotes, Texas. An all-state selection his senior year, he was also a two-time regional champion who is expected to strengthen Army's deep diving corps.
Cary Cohan will swim middle-distance freestyle for the Black Knights. He hails from Lakewood, Ohio, where he was a standout swimmer at St. Ignatius High School.
Will Eggers, from Brownsburg, Ind., will help strengthen Army's sprint corps after earning All-America honors in the 50 free at Brownsburg High School.
Camm Garrett is a distance freestyler and Junior National qualifier from Glen Allen, Va. After enjoying a successful prep career at Glen Allen High School and as a member of the NOVA swimming program, he is expected to make an immediate impact for the Black Knights.
Spencer Kelly, of Edina, Minnesota, will make his main contributions in the breaststroke events. He set the school record at Edina High School en route to earning 2005 All-America honors in the 100 breaststroke.
Eddie Kim of Fullerton, Calif., is Army's top incoming distance swimmer. The Junior National finalist is expected to score valuable points in the distance events as well as the 400 IM.
John Kreitler is the fourth member of the freshman class who hails from the state of Virginia. The Fairfax native enters as Army's top sprint freestyle prospect, having achieved All-America and Junior National status in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 backstroke at Annandale High School.
Mark Lesak, a 2004 graduate of Scranton Prep, spent the 2004-05 campaign at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. He flourished at Mercersburg, developing into an excellent backstroke and sprint free specialist who is expected to contribute immediately.
Jeff Tolbert of Burr Ridge, Ill., will join the Army freestyle corps. Tolbert is a versatile swimmer who will contribute in every distance from the 100 to the 1650. The Hinsdale Central High School product was an All-American in various events for the past three seasons.
David Ulrey is a Junior National butterflier from Woodlands, Texas. He was honored as a 2005 All-American as a member of the Woodlands High School swim team. He adds solid depth to the 200 butterfly, a traditionally strong event for Army.
Nick Vandam joins the squad as a distance freestyle and IM specialist. He was a two-time Minnesota state champion for St. Thomas Academy in the 500 yard freestyle.
Among the top recruits on the women's side are a state champion, a U.S. Open qualifier, a team MVP, and a class salutatorian. Headlining that group is Paige Dellavalle, a talented freestyle and individual medley swimmer from Ringoes, N.J., who closed out an outstanding career at the Hunterdon Central High School and Scarlet Aquatic Club. The versatility of the two-time US Open qualifier is an asset for the program.
Ann DiDomenico was a three-time Colorado 4A state champion in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle events. The class salutatorian from La Junta High School is expected to make a positive contribution in the middle-distance freestyle events.
Erin Hanley is from Colden, N.Y., where she is a product of the Nardin Academy and the STAR swim team. She will provide the Black Knights with much needed depth to the breaststroke, butterfly and IM events.
Diver Erin McQuarrie, from Kingwood, Texas, is expected to provide valuable support for three-time Patriot League "Diver of the Year" Chelsea Haviland.
Blair Miller is the third member of the class from the state of New Jersey. The Seaside Park native will be a primary force for the Black Knights in the backstroke events after earning several honors as a member of the Scarlet Aquatic Club.
Samantha Turner, of Orchard Park, N.Y., will specialize in the distance freestyle disciplines. The Orchard Park High School team MVP in 2004 is also a product of the STAR swim program.
Rounding out Army's recruiting class is Kari Vahle. The native from Quincy, Ill., will provide depth and strength in the breaststroke and freestyle events after a fine career in those events at Quincy High School.
Men's Swimming & Diving Recruiting Class
Name Yr. Event Hometown/High School
Warner Allison Fr. Freestyle Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams
Anthony Chung Fr. Fly/IM Poquoson, Va./Poquoson
Cary Cohan Fr. Freestyle Lakewood, Ohio/St. Ignatius
Will Eggers Fr. Freestyle Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg
Patrick Elerding Fr. Breast/Fly Prosser, Wash./Sunnyside Christian
Camm Garrett Fr. Freestyle Glen Allen, Va./Freeman
Spencer Kelly Fr. Breaststroke Edina, Minn./Edina
Edward Kim Fr. Freestyle Fullerton, Calif./Sunny Hills
John Kreitler Fr. Free/Back Fairfax, Va./Annandale
Mark Lesak Fr. Back/Free Waymart, Pa./Scranton Prep/Mercersburg
Ryan McDaniel Fr. Diving Helotes, Texas/Northside
Jeff Tolbert Fr. Freestyle Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale Central
David Ulrey Fr. Fly/Free The Woodlands, Texas/Woodlands
Nicholas Vandam Fr. Free/IM Eagan, Minn./St. Thomas Academy
Women's Swimming & Diving Recruiting Class
Name Yr. Event Hometown/High School
Paige Dellavalle Fr. Free/IM Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central
Ann DiDomenico Fr. Freestyle LaJunta, Colo./LaJunta
Erin Hanley Fr. Breaststroke Colden, N.Y./Nardin Academy
Blair Miller Fr. Backstroke Seaside Park, N.J./Monsignor Donovan
Samantha Turner Fr. Freestyle Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park
Kari Vahle Fr. Freestyle Quincy, Ill./Quincy Senior
Erin McQuarrie Fr. Diving Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood