Auburn Men’s Swimming Adds Nine

AUBURN, Alabama. December 14. THE three-time defending NCAA Champion Auburn men's swimming and diving team has added nine swimmers to the Tiger program for 2006, head coach David Marsh announced on Tuesday afternoon. Heading to the Plains will be Jordan Anderson, Matt Bartlett, Will Dove, Jeremy Gregory, Nick Lloyd, Tyler McGill, Matt McLean, Michael Silva and Brooks Stovall.

"This fall's recruiting class looks to be one of our best," Auburn head coach David Marsh said. "There are swimmers with a range wide of strong events and all of them still have a great deal of untapped potential. The group comes from all over the United States and will bring a special type of enthusiasm that adds a tremendous amount to our program. In addition, the ability to attract three of the nations best divers makes this even a more special class. At Auburn it is swimmers and divers together and three national caliber divers walking in the door will only give the team more motivation."

Jordan Anderson will join the Auburn Tigers from Roanoke, Va., where he swims for Brent St. Pierre and the CCA Marlins. A butterfly specialist, he has been a two-time high school state champion and All-American in the 100 fly and currently holds the Virginia state record in the event. A two-time Scholastic All-American, Jordan attends Hidden Valley High School where he also swims for Sherri Vaughn.

"Jordan brings a fierce competitive nature along with highest quality of person," Marsh said. "I was most impressed with Jordan's concern that he continue to grow not only academically and in swimming, but also in his faith. I would expect Jordan to develop into a top-notch 100 and 200 butterflier and his potential in freestyle has a great deal of upside as well.

Matt Bartlett heads to Auburn from Cumming, Ga., and Jeff Hike's, an AU alum, Swim Atlanta. A 2005 Senior Nationals finalist in the 200 fly, Matt also garners academic All-American honors as a South Forsyth High School student. Matt is the co-captain of the 2005-06 National Junior Team and has qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. At the 2005 World Championship Trials and the 2004 Senior Nationals he finished 10th in the 200 fly.

"Matt is perhaps one of the most versatile swimmers in the nation," Marsh commented. "He is competing at some of the highest levels in three of the four strokes and I would expect him to come in and contribute immediately at the top NCAA levels. Matt has been very familiar with our program over the years and I would look for him to develop down the road as one of our great leaders as well."

Will Dove will join the Tigers from Cary, N.C., where he swims for Dan Flack and the Raleigh Swimming Association. A backstroke and freestyle specialist, he earned All-American honors in the 500 free and was an all-conference selection in cross country. A Senior Nationals qualifier, Will attends Cary High School and swims for Kyrin Hellinger and Erin Stevens. Dove also excels in the classroom where he is a National Honor Society member, was a Morehead Scholarship nominee and earned academic all-conference in both swimming and cross country.

"Will has the talent and desire to become a very strong NCAA and international competitor. Will is a tremendous student with many talents, not only academically, but in music as well. With his father being a former football player for Auburn and gaining his pharmacy degree, Will has a great example to follow." Marsh said.

Jeremy Gregory comes to Auburn from Puyallup, Wash., and coach Jay Brenner's Tacoma Swim Club. A two-time Open Water All-American, Jeremy was a member of the 2004 U.S. World National Open Water team. A Senior Nationals qualifier in four different events, he was also named to the 2005 Scholastic All-America team. Jeremy attends Gov. John R. Rogers High School where he has been named to the honor roll for the past two years.

"Jeremy is coming a long distance to Auburn and will have an immediate impact in our distance group," Marsh said. "In talking with Jeremy and his mother, the goal of being on a team that would compete for championships is something he has dreamed of. He will have an impact in our quest for championships."

Nick Lloyd of Fredericksburg, Va., comes to Auburn from the Rappahannock Area YMCA Stingrays and is currently coached by Bob Herlinger. The 2004-05 High School AAA state champion in the 100 back, Nick also owns 13 other state champion titles with Stafford High School. A 2005 National Select Camp participant, he is All-American and has been a Senior Nationals qualifier.

"Nick is a fine young man and a swimmer with tremendous talent," Marsh said. "I would look for Nick to develop at the highest national level in the backstroke and his individual medley should improve steadily during his Auburn career. Nick is a highly motivated person both in the classroom and pool, and will no question be an outstanding Auburn Tiger."

Tyler McGill joins the Auburn team from Champaign, Ill., where he swims for Will Barker and Storm Aquatics. A three-time state champion, Tyler is the Central High School record holder in two events. Tyler was selected to the National Select Camp last year and earned a 2004 Olympic Trials cut in the 100 butterfly. A two-time Senior Nationals qualifier, Tyler has been a two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. A multi-sport athlete for Central, he also lettered in cross country, track and golf.

"Tyler has already swum fast times, but what is most exciting is his talent and ability that is evident when you watch him swim across the pool," Marsh commented. "Tyler should be a high national caliber butterflier and freestyler and an immediate contributor."

Matt McLean heads to AU from Sterling, Va., where he currently swims for John Flanagan and Curl-Burke Swim Club. A freestyle specialist, he was the VHSL state champion and record holder in the 200 free. A three-time All-American, Matt was the sectional champion in the 100 and 200 free this past March with personal best times. A Washington All-Meet swimmer, Matt also swims for Potomac Falls High School with coach Holly Ward.

"Matt comes from a wonderful family that has set a great example for him in his swimming efforts," Marsh said. "A relative late starter in the sport of swimming, he has the God-given gifts of height and feel for the water that will help to elevate him into one of the top dark-horse swimmers in nation going into next season."

Michael Silva joins the Auburn team from Tampa, Fla., and the New Tampa YMCA coached by Mitzi and Mark Tighe. A three-time Florida state champion in both the 100 breast and 200 IM, Michael also boasts three All-American honors. Named Hillsborough County Male Swimmer of the Year three years in a row, Michael was a Senior Nationals qualifier in the 100 breast. Michael also swims for Freedom High School and Adrian Ettienne and Dwight Middleton.

"Mike will bring energy, intensity and enthusiasm to the team," Marsh commented. "On his recruiting visit it was evident immediately that Mike found a home and he is a welcomed addition to our breaststroke group. His club coach, Mitzi Tighe, was one of the world's best swimmers in her day and she has done a wonderful job of setting him up to be very successful in college."

Brooks Stovall comes to Auburn from Memphis, Tenn., where he swam for David Smith and the Memphis Tigers and is currently swimming with Gardner Howland at Pilot Aquatics. At the 2005 Junior Pan-Pacs, Brooks earned bronze in the 400 free and 800 free relay. At the same meet he finished fifth in the 200m free. Brooks finaled in three events at the 2004 Senior Nationals meet as he took third in the 400m free, sixth in the 200m free and was seventh in the 800m free. Brooks was a member of the 2005 National Junior team and finished the 2004 season ranked in the top-100 in the world in both the 400 and 800m free's.

"Brooks is one of the great talents in the nation," said Marsh. "He is a swimmer that is not afraid to train hard and yet has the ability to swim in events all the way down to the 50 and 100 freestyles. Look for him to develop in the middle and distance freestyles and also become a national finalist in the backstrokes. Brooks brother Gil has been a very successful swimmer at Georgia and hopefully he will follow in his brother's footsteps."

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