Virginia Tech Announces Men’s Signings

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, December 1. THE Virginia Tech men's swimming and diving team has announced the signing of six swimmers to national letters of intent for the 2007-08 academic year. Diver Noah Scully will also join the Hokies from Old Dominion University.

Zachary Holmes is from Clifton, Va., and a student at JW Robinson Secondary School. Holmes comes to Virginia Tech as a Virginia state champion, high school All-American, multiple time district champion and record holder. With top times of 20.98, 46.28, 1:43.70 in the freestyles and 52.79 in the backstroke, he will immediately play an important role in the H2Okies quest for an ACC title. The 2006 Fairfax Examiner Swimmer of the Year looks to make waves in and out of the pool as Holmes also excels in the classroom, serving as a student ambassador with the Chantilly Academy in Chantilly, Va. He is a member of the Machine Aquatics under the direction of coach Christian Doud and is guided by Rich Gordon while competing for the Robinson Rams. Holmes chose the Hokies over Clemson, Maryland, Kentucky and Louisville.

"We are very excited about having Zach join us," Virginia Tech men's swimming head coach Ned Skinner said. "He has a terrific attitude toward the sport and has developed well under coach Doud's expertise. He is extremely versatile, and I think he can have a gigantic impact on our team next fall. I believe he will be the consummate team swimmer."

Richard Ulatowski, a native of Hamden, Conn., comes to Virginia Tech from Notre Dame High School of West Haven and has top times of 21.12 and 46.28 in the sprint freestyle events. Ulatowski has earned All-Connecticut honors for his freshman, sophomore and junior years of high school and achieved All-American status during his sophomore and junior years. Swimming under coach Dave Reilly at Woodbridge Aquatic Club, Ulatowski is a multiple state champion and junior national qualifier.

"Having Richard join our program excites us tremendously," Skinner said. "With his raw speed and great size, he will be a force to reckon with in the sprint events in the ACC. We feel Richard is a 'sleeping giant' and that he will impact our strong sprint program and leave his mark on the Virginia Tech record board."

Ryne Francis hails from Gilbertsville, Pa., and attends The Hill School. Francis comes to Virginia Tech as a Pennsylvania state champion, YMCA finalist and 19-time YMCA All-American. He holds top times of 52.35 and 1:52.22 in the backstroke events, 1:43.35 and 4:39.38 in the freestyle events and 1:55.66 in the 200 individual medley. Francis is a member of the Boyertown YMCA and trains under Bill Draves. He is interested in studying business at Virginia Tech's highly ranked Pamplin School of Business. Francis also considered Ohio State, North Carolina, Florida State, Virginia and Pittsburgh.

"Ryne is a fine young man that possesses a hunger for swimming fast," Skinner said. "Ryne has improved greatly over the last two years and we feel it is just the beginning for him. With his great size and passion, we are curious to see how fast he can go. Our backstroke group has grown over the last year and we feel Ryne will help anchor that core group with his strong work ethic and leadership qualities."

Cameron Gledhill, originally from Australia, recently moved to McLean, Va., where he attends McLean High School. A high school All-American in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle, Gledhill swims for Curl-Burke Swim Club under coach John Flanagan and enters this season with top times of 57.68 and 2:08.56 in the breaststroke events, 21.50, 46.67 and 1:41.58 in the freestyle events and 1:56.86 in the 200 individual medley. Interested in studying psychology, he has received many academic accolades including honors in physics and English. An Australian Olympic Trials qualifier, Gledhill has reached the Australian national finals in the breaststroke event. Gledhill also considered North Carolina State and Georgia Tech.

"Cameron has a great amount of talent and is a very versatile swimmer who will compete in many events for us," Skinner said. "Having Cameron on our team immediately impacts our breaststroke and IM needs. He has great size and an impeccable work ethic. We feel the great background he has gained training with coach Flanagan will provide him a solid path for development in college."

Marc Greenberg comes to Virginia Tech from Waxhaw, N.C. A Scholastic All-American for USA Swimming, Greenberg attends Weddington High School. Swimming under Jay Benner with Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, he enters his senior year with top times of 1:55.82 and 4:05.60 in the individual medleys, 52.76 and 1:53.28 in the butterfly events and 47.52 and 1:41.71 in the freestyle events. Gaining recognition within the Mecklenburg family for his leadership and attendance, Greenberg has grown immensely in the sport since his start five years ago. A multiple state finalist and junior national qualifier, he is interested in studying computer engineering. Greenberg also considered North Carolina and Georgia Tech.

"We are thrilled to have Marc join the Hokie Nation," Skinner said. "He is relatively new to the sport and is really starting to take-off. He has great size and his events range in all strokes. He will play an immediate role in the IM and butterfly events and will obviously set a great example during practice with his leadership qualities and strong work ethic."

Carter Moore, from Richmond, Va., swims for Poseidon Swimming under Ted Sallade. Moore, an honor student at Mills E. Godwin High School, enters his senior year with top times of 58.95 and 2:06.57 in the breaststroke events and 1:57.38 and 4:00.98 in the individual medley events. A junior national qualifier, Moore has been a Virginia State finalist on multiple occasions. Interested in studying engineering, Moore also considered North Carolina at Wilmington and West Point Military Academy.

"We are very excited Carter chose Virginia Tech and feel he is a great addition to our team," Skinner said. "He has great range and excels in the 400 IM, which we need after the departure of three seniors that swim the 400 IM. The solid base he has generated will help him succeed in college when he develops more power in his mechanics. We really liked Carter on his visit and he will fit right in with our exciting program."

Noah Scully, a transfer student from Old Dominion University will be a new addition to the Hokie squad. Noah is a diver from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Va. While at Old Dominion, Noah was named the Colonial Athletic Association Diver of the Week four times. Last season he finished in third place in both the 1- and 3-meter competitions at the CAA championships. He also is the current team- and pool-record holder on both boards at Old Dominion.

"Noah is going to be a great addition to the Virginia Tech diving program, and has made the Dean's list in three out of six semesters at Old Dominion in electrical engineering," head diving coach Ron Piemonte said. "Noah carries a passion for the sport and his determination will aid in his success in ACC competition."

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