Aug. 16, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Head coach Sean Schimmel has announced the signing of 17 student-athletes to compete for the Maryland swimming and diving program.

On the women's side, Victoria Cassidy, Elena Donald, Amy Halligan, Holly Rebovich, Aviry Reich, Jenni Roberts, and Jessica Whelan will compete for the Terps this season. Maryland finished 25th at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships a year ago.

For the men, Bradley Dillon, Peter Fittin, Brooks Gabel, Chris Griffin, Patrick Hagar, John Hauser, David McCormick, Matt Meserole, Collin Stang, and Jake Stepens have signed letters of intent. The class was ranked 22nd overall by CollegeSwimming.com earlier this summer.

"That is a great honor," Schimmel said of being tabbed to CollegeSwimming.com's list. "It is a reflection of a few different things. First off, this would not be possible without the support and commitment made by both the athletic department and the continued support and strength of our alumni base.

"Second, the effort spearheaded by Coach John Pontz (recruiting coordinator) which was supported by the rest of the staff members including Coach Garner, Eyler and Slobounov. This effort is ongoing and they continually perform at the highest level when it comes to recruiting."

Schimmel believes this year's class shows a lot of promise for the future of Maryland swimming and diving.

"I am looking to have some of these women come in and impact us at the ACC Championships as freshmen while giving the program the strength and depth it needs to build on the success we have had over the past two seasons.

"As far as the men go, having such a well-rounded class with 11 athletes covering all events, this class will certainly fill that critical role as being a pillar for the future, as we continue to build this program."

Below is a breakdown of this year's class:

VICTORIA CASSIDY (Cranbury, NJ/Princeton High School)
IM and Backstroke

Cassidy was an All-American in high school in the 500 free (4:52.87). She also competed for Eastern Express for five years, qualifying for nationals in the 400 IM, 200 IM and 200 back while winning the 400 IM at the NE March Sectionals.

Cassidy on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of its excellent academics and athletics."

ELENA DONALD (Columbia, MD/Retriever Aquatic Club)
Sprint Freestyle, Backstroke

Donald was a Maryland Swimming LSC Senior Athlete Representative (2009-10) and a USA Swimming Short Course National qualifier in the 200 back as a well as summer national qualifier in the 100 back. Donald was also tabbed a USA Swimming Eastern Zone South Region Sectional Series qualifier while finishing third in the 200 back and fourth in the 100 back.

Donald on Maryland: "I love the success in both athletics and academics (especially in the sciences). The facilities are amazing and the staff is very committed to have seeing the students succeed. I clicked with both the swimming coaches and athletes and could easily picture myself in the program."

AMY HALLIGAN (Timonium, MD/Eagle Swim Team)
Breaststroke and IM

Halligan was a member of the Eagle Swim Team (Owings Mills, Md.), competing for head coach Scott Ward. She was a USA Swimming Academic All-American and a member of the All-Maryland Team in 2008 and 2009.

Halligan on Maryland: "I'm a lifelong Terrapin fan and love the beautiful athletic facilities and natatorium. I also liked the great team chemistry, enthusiastic and goal-oriented coaches and the fantastic journalism school."

HOLLY REBOVICH (Metuchen, N.J./Scarlet Aquatic Club)
Distance Freestyle

Rebovich competed with Scarlet Aquatic Club where she was a Junior National and National Team member for eight years and was coached by Tom Speedling. She was a Super Sectional Medal winner (top eight finish) and a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American for three years.

Rebovich on Maryland: "Maryland has outstanding athletic and academic programs."

AVIRY REICH (Charlotte, N.C./Hamilton Southeastern)
Freestyle

Reich joins older sister Lia at Maryland after a stellar stint at Hamilton Southeastern in Indiana after beginning her high school career at Providence High School in Charlotte. While at PHS, the Panthers were state champions her freshman year and individually, Reich was fifth in the 100 free and sixth in the 200 free as a rookie and fourth in the 100 free and fifth the in 50 free a year later. She was also a member of the 200 and 400 free relays that garnered state records. At HSHS, Reich was part of the 400 free relay state record setting team while finishing eighth in the 100 free as a junior and seventh as a senior.

Reich on Maryland: "I chose Maryland to be a part of a great school with competitive athletics."

JENNI ROBERTS (Sanford, ME/Sanford High School)
Fly, Backstroke and IM

Roberts swam for head coach Jeremy Goulet for four seasons at Sanford HS, helping lead the squad to regional championships in each of her final three seasons. Individually, she captured Maine state titles in the 200 IM and 100 back as a sophomore and junior and the 200 IM and 100 fly as a senior. She was tabbed Maine State Female Athlete of the Year in 2010 and won the YMCA Nationals in the 100 fly (54.23) for the Y Titans, a club she was a part of for 13 years.

Roberts on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because I loved the campus, team and coaches."

JESSICA WHELAN (Ayr, Ontario, Canada/ Etobicoke Diving Club)
Diver

Whelan is a member of the Etobicoke Diving Club, advancing to the finals every season at the Canadian Junior Nationals. She was 10th on the platform at the Canadian World Trials and was 2010 Ontario Provincial Champion on the tower.

Whelan on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it is the perfect combination of school and sport."

BRADLEY DILLON (Reston, VA/South Lakes High School)
Backstroke, Mid-Distance Freestyle

Dillon is the school record holder in the 100 back and a first team all-district and region honoree as well as a second team All-Met pick. Dillon was a state runner-up in the 100 back and 100 fly and team captain in 2009-10. He was also a member of the Curl-Burke Swim Club for 12 years and was coached by John Flanagan. Dillon was a national qualifier as a junior and a senior and Curl-Burke was NCSA Junior National Men Team champions.

Dillon on Maryland: "Maryland has a great academic and athletic reputation."

PETER FITTIN (Sea Girt, N.J./Peddie School)
Sprint Freestyle

Fittin joins his sister Annie, an All-American on the women's team, at Maryland after a stellar career at Peddie School where he was an eight-time National High School All-American and a state record holder in the 200 and 400 medley and 800 free relays.

Fittin on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because my sister is also on the swim team and they have great swimming and Chinese programs."

BROOKS GABEL (Clarksville, MD/Retriever Aquatic Club)
Fly and Backstroke

Gabel was chosen for USA Swimming Select Camp and was the 2007-08 Maryland LSC Junior Athlete Representative and 2008-09 Senior Athlete Representative. He competed for Retriever Aquatic Club for 11 years and was coached by Chris Gibeau.

Gabel on Maryland: "Maryland has a unique balance of academics and athletics and is situated between two large cities with a wealth of job opportunities."

JOHN HAUSER (Pottstown, PA/St. Pius X)
Freestyle

Hauser swam at St. Pius X four years during his high school career, winning state titles in the 500 free his junior and senior seasons. He also landed on the podium at the state championships in the 200 IM both years, earning a third place finish in 2009 and a second in 2010. A four-time All-American in high school, he also was a two-time YMCA state champion and record holder in the 200 free.

Hauser on Maryland: "I chose Maryland based on its academics."

DAVID MCCORMICK (West Chester, PA/West Chester Henderson High School)
Breaststroke and IM

McCormick helped West Chester Henderson go undefeated all four seasons. McCormick owns five West Chester Henderson team records and is an 11-time NISCA All-American and three-time Pennsylvania State champion. He is also a four-time PIAA District 1 champion as well being named Swimmer of the Meet in 2010. McCormick competed with Golden Ram Aquatics for coach Scott Elliott.

McCormick on Maryland: "I chose Maryland for the tradition."

JAKE STEPHENS (Stone Mountain, GA/Marist School)
IM and Freestyle

Stephens swam three seasons at Marist for head coach Terry Blish and led the War Eagles to a state title in 2009 and a state runner-up finish in 2008. Individually, Stephens was tabbed an All-American all three years and was a member of the state champion 200 free relay in 2008 and 2009. He also helped guide Marist to the 400 free relay title in 2009 and was second in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 free as a senior.

Stephens on Maryland: "I came to Maryland to be a part of a great university and to help push a program past the threshold of greatness."