NC State Men’s Swimming Adds Six for 2010-11

RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 20. NC State head swimming and diving coach Brooks Teal announced today the addition of six student-athletes to the men's swimming and diving program. Kohl Hurdle, Ivan Kopas, Brian Via, Jonathan Boffa, Gabe Davis and Jake Matysek will all join the Wolfpack in time for the 2010-11 season.

The group joins Ian Bishop, Maxim Litvinov, Barrett Miesfeld and Matt Thomas, all of which signed with the Wolfpack program this past December.

Hurdle, out of Newport News, Va., offers the Wolfpack an array of talent across a multitude of events. Having trained under the watchful eyes of coaches Jack Bierie of Coast Guard Blue Dolphins and John Presgraves of Warwick High School, Hurdle has become a Senior National qualifier, Junior National finalist, and All-America selection. He will help bolster the middle of the lineup in individual medley and backstroke events. Hurdle will pursue a degree in computer science and opted for NC State over Virginia Tech and Duke.

Transferring from State University of New York at Stony Brook, Kopas will make an immediate impact within the Pack's backstroke rotation.

Kopas grew up in Kikinda, Serbia swimming for Novi Sad and, staying true to the norm of European swimming, he will bring a wealth of experience in the long course format of backstroke events. Kopas turned heads as the American East Conference Champion in both the 100 and 200 backstroke during his first year in the United States, and will look to contribute to the future success of the Wolfpack while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He chose NC State over Fordham, Virginia Tech, SMU, and several other programs.

Via comes to NC State with great determination and a wealth of experience from coach Ray Benecki of The FISH. The Reston, Va., native is a Junior National qualifier and Herndon High School MVP. Poised to strengthen a young, up-and-coming Wolfpack distance free group, Via chose NC State over South Carolina, Western Kentucky, and George Mason. He will study computer science.

Boffa comes back to the United States after spending several years abroad in Kenya, Italy and Malta. He brings a high level of international experience, having studied at the Verdala International School and swam under coach Andy Colburn of the Neptune Swim Club.

Boffa's great technique and speed should provide a boost to the Pack's sprint freestyle corps. A member of the Matlese National Team, Boffa selected NC State over UMass and has been accepted into the graphic design program.

Arriving from Hopkinton, Mass., Davis offers versatility in sprint, middle-distance freestyle and butterfly events for the Wolfpack. Under coach Matt Craven of the Shawmut Aquatic Club, Davis achieved Junior National qualifying standards in the butterfly, and finished fourth in overall points this year at the NE Open Championships demonstrating the depth that he will bring to the men's program. Davis passed over Maryland, Old Dominion and Virginia Tech to study engineering at NC State.

Matysek of Charlotte, N.C, will relocate to Raleigh from the nationally recognized SwimMAC program. The third MAC swimmer to join the Wolfpack men's program over the last four years, he has been improving under the guidance of club coach Chris Webb and North Mecklenburg High School coach Tim Queen. Joining an already impressive cast of breaststroke and individual medley talent at NC State, Matysek will look to build upon his resume as a Junior and Senior National qualifier in both short and long course formats. An All-America time qualifier and member of the All-Charlotte Observer team, he selected NC State over East Carolina, UNC Wilmington and South Carolina.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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