Virginia Tech Strengthens Recruiting Class

BLACKSBURG, Virginia, May 16. THE Virginia Tech swimming and diving team has added six new student-athletes to the incoming class, head coach Ned Skinner announced Tuesday. Stephen Hawkins, Trey Stewart and Daniel Martin will join the men's team, while Morgan Allen, Abby Meyer and Natalie West will join the women's team. These athletes will enroll in classes for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Stephen Hawkins, a native of Lynchburg, Va., comes to Virginia Tech from Jefferson Forest High School. Hawkins dominated the AA High School State meet by winning two individual events, taking the 50 freestyle in a time of 20.84 and the 100 freestyle in 45.52. His time in the 100 freestyle set a new AA High School State record. Coached by Doug Fonder at Roanoke Gators, his swims were Senior National cuts and lowered the team records in these events. Voted most improved for the Virginia Gators, he also carries top times in the 100 backstroke (52.77) and the 100 butterfly (51.09).

Trey Stewart comes to Virginia Tech from Luling, La. Stewart swims under Billy Newport with Crawfish Aquatics out of Baton Rouge, La., and enters Virginia Tech with top times of 50.62 and 1:47.95 in the butterfly events; 1:52.42 and 4:00.23 in the individual medleys; 51.03 and 1:51.66 in the backstroke events; 1:42.18 and 4:39.83 in the freestyle events. Stewart, a U.S. National qualifier, U.S. Open qualifier, Junior National qualifier and 5-time state champion, ranks in the top three in eight events for Louisiana swimming and is the Louisiana state record holder in the 200 butterfly for the 18 and younger age group.

Daniel Martin, hails from Fairfax, Va., where he attended Woodson High School. Martin is the 2007 AAA Virginia High School champion. A 2006 AAU Nationals qualifier, he has experienced great improvement over the past two years and looks to continue this tread as a Hokie. Martin excels on the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform events. The platform event will be a newly scored event at the conference championships and Martin looks to take full advantage of its inaugural run.

Morgan Allen, joining the Hokies from Charlotte, N.C., swims under Steve Billings with North Mecklenburg Aquatics. Allen, a Scholastic All-American and National Honor Society student, attends North Mecklenburg High School and was a member of the 4A state championship relay team coached by Tim Queen. Improving each year, Allen has also experienced success in triathlons, open water swimming and running competitions. She recently won the 5k open water swim challenge at the Southern Zone meet last summer in Atlanta. Joining the Hokies with times of 24.34 and 53.20 in the sprint freestyle events, Morgan will unite with a talented group of sprinters.

Abby Meyer comes to Virginia Tech from Frederick, Md. Abby swims under Andy Lehner at Monocacy Aquatic Club and has recently seen great time drops over the last few of seasons. She will enter Virginia Tech with top times of 1:06.32 and 2:22.42 in the breaststroke events and 1:54.45 and 5:06.85 in the freestyle events. Meyer received the 2004 Gatorade Rookie of the Year award for Frederick County Swimming, then followed up the award by being named 2005 and 2006 Frederick County Swimmer of the Year. With only five years of training under her belt, Meyer qualified for the 2006 Junior National Championships in Orlando, Fla.

Natalie West, joining the Hokies form Springfield, Va., was a two-sport star from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Va. Her success varied from the diving boards to the lacrosse fields. West's focus turned solely to the boards where she was a two-time All-American for Patriot Dive Club and the 2002 East National Champion. A national qualifier, she holds many pool records for the Parliament Pool. West also has experienced success on the gymnastics floor. A former National champion in tumbling, she is a level 5, 6 and 7 on the gym floor.

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