Swimming Announces 2012 Recruiting Class

MARS HILL, N.C.-Mars Hill Head Swimming Coach Teddy Guyer announced Thursday that the Lions have added 14 swimmers to their 2012 recruiting class.

The 2012 recruiting class consists of eight men's and six women's swimmers. These student-athletes have all committed to join the program this fall.

MEN
Sal Russo, from Roanoke, Va. attended Roanoke Catholic High School and was coached by Louis Tudor. Russo also swam club with CCA, and was coached by Greg Lake. Russo has been a regional and state qualifier every year and finished second in 100 fly and fifth in 100 back at the state meet this year. He is also a national qualifier.

Trey Mason, from Morehead City, N.C. attended Gramercy Christian High School and was coached by Tom Mason, who is also Trey's club coach at Carteret Currents. Trey is an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states in swimming. He has also qualified for the eastern zone championships.

Scott Scheirey, from West Hartford, Conn. attended W. H. Hall High School and was coached by John McClure. He also swam club for the West Hartford Aquatic Club, coached by Rob Riccobon. Scheirey is an honors student and has qualified for sectionals and states in swimming. He is also a national qualifier.

AJ Crist, from Colonial Heights, Va. attended Colonial Heights High School and was coached by Shastan Kuschke and his club team is VACS coached by Shannon Royster. Crist is a regional and state qualifier this year in swimming.

Devin Abernethy, from Granite Falls, N.C. attended South Caldwell High School and was coached by Brent Tomberlin and his club team is YSST coached by Jon Jolley. Abernathy is an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states in swimming every year.

Brett Malmstrom, from Denver, N.C. Attended North Lincoln High School and was coached by Adam Fier. Malmstrom's club team was Swim MAC, coached by Kristan Allen and Charlie Dragon. Malmstrom has been an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states every year. He finished second in the state in the 500 free and fifth in the 200free this past year. He is also a National Open Water qualifier.

Zach Naelitz, from Cartersville, Ga. attended Woodland High School and was coached by Joshua Roger. Zach is an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states in swimming every year.

Bill Barrett, from Weaverville, N.C. attended North Buncombe High school and was coached by Kaley Ballard. Barrett's club team was MHST and is coached by Kitty Schmidt. Barrett is an honors student and qualified for regional's and states this year in swimming.

WOMEN
Elle Grier, from Waxhaw, N.C. attended Cuthbertson High School and was coached by Chris and Danielle Martin. Her club team was Swim MAC, coached by Alan Pfau. Grier is an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states every year, she finished fourth in the state in the 500 free and the 200 IM this past year.

Lauren Davis, from Huntersville, N.C. attended Lake Norman Charter High School and was coached by Alison Pick, who was also Davis' club coach at Swim MAC. Davis has qualified for regional's and states every year. She finished ninth in the 50 free and sixth in the 100 breast at states this past year.

Aly Jones, from Wilson, N.C. attended Hunt High School and was coached by Sue McGuire. Jones swam club for the Wilson Barracudas, coached by Casey Umburgar. Jones has been an honors student and has qualified for regional's and states every year. She finished fifth in the 100 free and eighth in the 100 back at states this past year.

Emma Duffy, from Portland, Oreg. attended Woodrow Wilson High School and was coached by Kelsey Bowen. Her club team was Columbia-Willamette Swim Team, coached by Jill Black. Duffy has been an honors student and has qualified for districts and states in swimming while in High school.

Leah Behar, from North Miami Beach, Fla. attended Dr. Michael Krop High School and was coached by Ann Gordon. Behar was an honors student and qualified for sectionals in swimming.

Lainey Poole, from Bethlehem, Ga. attended George Walton Academy and was coached by Sheryl Mitchell and Rebecca Bowers.

Coach Guyer commented, "It is really nice to get such a big recruiting class in. After graduating 21 swimmers over the last 12 months, we needed these quality student-athletes to fill in some major holes and depth on the team. All these recruits will be counted on immediately and have the talent to make an impact for our team right away."