Xavier Adds Eleven Newcomers for 2004-05 Season

CINCINATTI, Ohio, May 12. LOOKING to continue its trend of attracting quality student-athletes to its program, Xavier University announces the addition of 11 swimmers for the 2004–2005 season. Both the women’s and men’s team scored their highest point total in school history at the 2004 Atlantic 10 Conference Championships. With 13 members graduating from the team the coaching staff knew in advance that recruiting would play a vital role in continuing the success of the program. “We are very excited about the incoming class. Together they are a very talented groups of swimmers. We are looking for them to help fill the void left by the 2004 graduating class,” said Coach Gage.

The six new Xavier men include Algis Aukstuolis, Tyler Borg, John Becker, Matt Krouse, Nico Lilly, and Brian Stromberg.

Algis Aukstuolis (Cincinnati, OH / Sycamore High School) not only established himself as one of the premier breaststrokers in Cincinnati this past season, but also became recognized on the state level. Algis placed 23rd in the 100 breast, 9th in the 200 medley relay, 11th in the 200 free relay, and 13th in the 400 free relay at the 2004 Ohio State Meet. As a result, Xavier will look to Algis for contributions in the sprint free and breast events. He established a personal best times of 1:01.1 in the 100 breast this past season. Algis is a great addition to an already strong core group of breaststrokers for Xavier. Aukstuolis is planning to major in psychology.

Tyler Borg (Westminster, Colorado / Regis Jesuit) comes to Xavier from one of the top Jesuit high school programs in the country. During his time at Regis, Tyler established himself as one of Colorado’s top freestyle sprinters. Borg just recently placed 4th in the 50 free and 8th in the 100 free at the Colorado State Meet. With personal best times of 21.4 and 47.7, Xavier will look to Tyler to contribute in the individual sprint events as well as al relays. Tyler is another incoming freshman planning to enroll in Xavier’s Natural Science program.

John Becker (Cincinnati, Ohio / St. Xavier High School) is an experienced distance swimmer who has not only established himself at the state level over multiple years, but also on the regional and national level. With personal best times of 1:41.61 in the 200 free, 4:34.0 in the 500, and 9:29.86 in the 1000, John will make immediate impacts in the distance events for the Musketeers. Becker comes from one of the top high school programs in the country with a training background second to none. At the 2004 Ohio State Meet his senior year, John placed 4th in the 200 free and 7th in the 500. John will also add versatility to Xavier’s line-up in the IM and stroke events. With long-term goals of working in the music industry as a producer, John will enrol in Xavier’s Williams College of Business Entrepreneurship program this fall.

Matt Krouse (Havertown, Pennsylvania / Haverford Township Senior High School) placed 8th in the 100 free and 10th in the 200 free his senior year at the Pennsylvania State Meet, one of the toughest states in the country. With Matt joining XU as an established sprinter, the Xavier coaching staff will look to Matt to contribute immediately in the sprint free and back events. Matt showed a great deal of growth and versatility during his senior year and Xavier believes that his best years are ahead of him. Krouse established personal best times his senior year of 47.74 in the 100 free and 1:45.83 in the 200 free. Matt plans to major in sociology and philosophy with the intention of attending law school upon graduation.

Nico Lilly (Davie, Florida / Westminster Academy) has been coached under the tutelage of Peter Banks and has established himself as a standout swimmer in Southern Florida. Nico is an excellent trainer, competitor, student, and leader. Coming to the program with a large amount of versatility, Nico can compete in distance freestyle, butterfly, and IM events. In his senior year at the Florida State Meet, Nico placed 8th in the 200 free, and 4th in the 500 free. Nico has established personal best times of 1:44.14 in the 200, 4:36.92 in the 500, 53.48 in the 100 fly, and 1:53 in the 200 fly. While he may be competing in the dual meets where the team needs him most, the coaching staff feels the distance events will be Lilly’s strong point. Nico is enrolling in Xavier’s Graphic Arts program this fall.

Brian Stromberg (Gahanna, Ohio / Columbus St. Charles) has competed for one of the premier high school programs in Columbus, establishing himself as one of the states top breaststrokes his senior year. Brian improved consistently throughout his last year of high school leading up to a personal best time of 1:00.3 and 12th place finish in the 100 breast, and a 4th place 200 medley relay finish at the Ohio State Meet. Brian has also shown versatility by competing in the 200 IM, the 100 and 200 fly, all breaststroke events, as well as the sprint freestyles. The Xavier coaching is confident that Stromberg’s best times are ahead of him. XU is looking for Brian to make immediate impacts on relays and in breaststroke events. Stromberg is planning to enroll is Xavier’s business program.

The five new Xavier women include Julie Clague, Lindsay Jackson, Meggie Kamp, Julie Reitenbach, and Theresa Thelen-Clemmons.

Julie Clague (Walton, Kentucky / Covington Latin Catholic) comes to Xavier with a great background in butterfly. Julie has also shown versatility in the IM and freestyle events. The coaching staff will look for Julie to make an immediate impact in the 100 and 200 butterfly events. Julie established herself as one of the top butterfliers in Northern Kentucky finishing her championship season with personal best times of 1:01.87 and 2:14.43. Clague will be entering the Xavier Scholars Program this fall.

Lindsay Jackson (Unionville, Indiana / Bloomington High School North) was one of the top recruited athletes out of the Bloomington area, Xavier is proud that Lindsay selected it as her next home. Lindsay comes to Xavier from an established high school and club program in Donner Swim Club. An extremely versatile swimmer, Lindsay will compete for the Musketeers in the freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and IM events. As a senior, Lindsay’s 200 and 400 free relays placed 8th at the Indiana state meet. Accomplishing best times of 53.83 in the 100 free and 1:01.14 in the 100 back, Xavier will look to Lindsay to make immediate an impact upon the team. Jackson plans to enrol in Xavier’s Natural Science program this fall.

Meggie Kamp (Cincinnati, Ohio / Ursuline Academy) will be joining a strong Cincinnati contingent when she steps onto Xavier’s pool deck next season. Hailing from one of the premier high school programs in the state, Meggie led her 200 medley relay to a 6th place finish at the Ohio State Meet. The coaching staff will look to Meggie to contribute in the sprint back and free events. Meggie developed her talents not only at Ursuline Academy but also at her club team, Powell Crosley YMCA. Kamp will major in Biology at Xavier.

Julie Reitenbach (Elyria, Ohio / Magnificat High School) is another sprint addition to the program and has developed her specialty in the butterfly and backstroke events. Julie has trained with some of the best swimmers in the state and Xavier is proud that she selected the school for her college career. Reitenbach was a team contributor on relays and individually for Magnificat in the 100 fly her senior year. Julie brings to Xavier personal best times in the 100 back of 1:00.96, and 100 fly of 1:01.66. Julie will be entering the accounting program in Xavier’s Williams College of Business.

Theresa Thelen-Clemmons (Seattle, Washington / Nova High School) joins Xavier from the Pacific Northwest. An established sprinter in her area, Theresa placed 8th in the 50 free at the Washington State Meet and led her team’s 200 free relay to a 2nd place finish. The coaching staff will depend upon Theresa to make immediate contributions in the 50 and 100 free as well as the 50 and 100 back. Theresa is undecided on her course of study.

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