Swimming and Diving Announces 17 Additions to Squad

Newcomers will be eligible for 1998-99 season.

August 10, 1998

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson Head Swimming and Diving Coach Bruce Marchionda announced today the team's 1998-99 freshmen recruits. A total of 17 freshman have been added to the squad, eight women and nine men.

"Obviously, we're extremely excited about the incoming class," said Marchionda. "Top to bottom, it is the strongest class we've had since I've taken over. They should help set the standards and continue to move us forward in national rankings."

Matt Wilson, a two-event Delaware state champion in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke in 1998, comes to the Tigers in hopes of picking up where Scott Ayer, the 1997 leading 200 IM swimmer, left off. The Wilmington, DE, native was also state champion from 1995-1997 in the 100 backstroke. He was a four year member of both the All-State and All-Conference first team, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the McKean High School Swim Team as a freshman and senior. In 1996 Wilson was voted High School Swimmer of the Year for the state of Delaware.

Matt Stone is the 1998 New York state champion in the 100 butterfly. He is a six-time All-American, member of the Eastern Zone All-Star team from 1992-1995 and a member of the seven-time State Champion Orchard Park High Swim Team. Stone also earned a gold medal in the 1998 Empire State Games in the 100 butterfly.

Sean Wallace is a Palm Harbor, FL, native that placed second in the 100 breast and third in the 100 fly at the 1998 state meet. He was East Lake High School Swimmer of the Year for each of the last four years, a member of Pinellas County All-Star team and the 1996 Junior National Champion in the 200 breaststroke.

Andy Meek won the New York state championship in the 200 freestyle in 1996, 1997 and 1998, as well as winning the 500 freestyle in 1997 and 1998. Meek was named Monroe County Swimmer of the Year for 1996, 1997 and 1998. Meek was a member of the All-County and All-State first team. He earned the Pittsford Mendon High School MVP honor for three years.

Brett Walker, the 5'10" freshman from North Huntingdon, PA, is a two year All-American in the 50 freestyle, a 1998 WPIAL Champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle and three-time Junior National finalist in the 50 freestyle. Walker is also the Norwin High School recordholder in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Adam Shapely comes to the Tigers as the Minnetonka High School state champion in the 100 breast, a title he has held for the past two years. Shapely was also a member of the 1993, 1996 and 1997 Minnetonka High School state team.

Joey Tighe is a middle distance freestyler from Charlotte, NC. Tighe was the three-time South Mecklenburg High School Most Valuable Player from 1996-1998. He placed third at the 1998 North Carolina state championships in the 500 free.

Katie Mizell, the 1997 Scholastic All-American from Jacksonville, Fl, was a member of the Bolles High School conference, state and national championship teams from 1994 to 1997. She was named to the 1998 Spring Senior National Championship team and is the 1997 state record holder in the 200 medley relay. Mizell also was a three-time All-American in the 100 butterfly from 1995-1997.

Michelle Cunnane of Sinking Springs, PA, is the 1998 Sinking Springs Diving District Champion and a 1998 All-American. Cunnane placed third at the Pennsylvania State Championships.

Michaela Smith, a 5'2" diver from Wakefield, MA, comes to the Tigers as a Middlesex League 1996 and 1997 Champion. A three-time state diving qualifier, as well as a Junior National qualifier on the three-meter board and platform, Michaela placed second at the 1997 North Sectionals and was a member of Middlesex League All-Star team in 1996 and 1997.

Caroline Peterson was the Tennessee State Champion in the 50 freestyle in 1995 and the 100 freestyle in 1997, a state runner-up in the 100 freestyle in 1995 and the 50 freestyle in 1996 and 1997. This Franklin, Tennesse native ranks currently 19th in the 50 freestyle Junior World Ranking and was number two in the Southeastern 50 and 100 freestyle in 1997. Peterson was a Junior National qualifier in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly from 1994-1997, as well as a Senior National qualifier in the in the 50 freestyle from 1995-1997.

Ginny Kirouac, of Atlanta, GA, is a two time Scholastic All-American and member of the Dynamo Swim Club. She was a Senior National Qualifier in the 400 Individual Medley.

Other recruits added to the Clemson Swimming and Diving squad are Kenny Roberts of Mahe, Seychelle, Carolina Douglas of Gaithersburg, MD, Cam Sink of Charleston, SC, and Brad Wickard and Emily Hustead of Charlotte, NC.