North Carolina Announces Large Signing Class

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, November 27. THE University of North Carolina men's and women's swimming and diving program has signed 15 outstanding high school seniors to national letters-of-intent during the November 2011 signing period, Head Coach Rich DeSelm announced Sunday. This stellar recruiting class includes six men's swimmers and seven women's swimmers as well as one incoming diver for each team.

The incoming women's class includes swimmers Madison Burns of Allentown, Pa., Rachel Canty of Burke, Va., Lauren Earp of Toronto, Ontario, Annie Harrison of Toronto, Ontario, Hannah Lincoln of Raleigh, N.C., Emma Nunn of Richmond, Va., Kendall Surhoff of Cockeysville, Md., and diver Erin Purdy of Deerfield, Ill.

The Class of 2016 on the men's side is comprised of swimmers Ben Colley of Williamsburg, Va., Mitch Deforest of Cary, N.C., Nic Graesser of Wayne, Pa., Logan Heck of Mooresville, N.C., Matthew Kwatyra of London, Ontario, Sam Lewis of Alpharetta, Ga., and diver Ozzie Moyer of Harleysville, Pa.

"We are excited to announce this group of prospects who will begin their careers as student–athletes at UNC next August," DeSelm says. "A lot of credit goes to our assistant coaches who worked hard to bring this outstanding group of swimmers and divers to Carolina. This group has both talent and depth and we expect our team toimprove significantly while they are in Chapel Hill."

The following women's swimmers and divers have signed NLIs.

Madison Burns of Allentown, Pa., attends Northwestern Lehigh High School and swims for the Parkland Area Aquatic Club. Long-time PAAC coach Eric Posegay coached Burns through the summer of 2011. Former North Carolina Aquatic Club coach Ryan Woodruff currently coaches Burns. Burns is an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400-meter individual medley. She is a Pennsylvania high school state champion in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke. The captain of her high school team, Burnshold the Keystone State's high school record in the 200-yard IM. Burns' Career Best Times: 1:02.47 in the 100-yard breaststroke; 1:14.08 in the 100-meter breaststroke; 2:18.39 in the 200-yard breaststroke; 56.15 in the 100-yard butterfly; 1:04.35 in the 100-meter butterfly; 2:04.54 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:00.48 in the 200-yard individual medley; 2:19.68 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:14.83 in the 400-yard individual medley; 4:51.92 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Burns: "We are extremely excited about Madison. She keeps our streak alive of having some of the best prospects from Pennsylvania attending UNC and, more importantly, adds a tremendous element to our team. Her IMs and breaststrokes will be strong events for us in ACC competition. Madison is a hard worker and will bring that energy to our team. We see her moving onto the NCAA scene while a Tar Heel."

Rachel Canty of Burke, Va., attends J.W. Robinson Secondary School and competes for the Curl-Burke Swim Club where she is coached Pete Morgan. Canty's Career Best Times: 1:01.75 in the 100-yard breaststroke; 1:14.52 in the 100-meter breaststroke; 2:14.41 in the 200-yard breaststroke; 2:39.67 in the 200-meter breaststroke; 2:05.82 in the 200-yard individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Canty: "Rachel is a rapidly improving breaststroker coached by Curl-Burke's Pete Morgan, who has produced countless national level swimmers, including some prominent breaststrokers. Rachel fills a need for us and strengthens our depth in these events."

Lauren Earp of Toronto, Ontario, has attended Martingrove Collegiate Institute and Silverthorn Collegiate Institute, where she has been an honor roll student. Kevin Thorburn coaches Earp at the Etobicoke Swim Club. Earp has been a member of the Canadian National Junior Team since 2009. She earned silver medals at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii in 2010 and the World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru in 2011. Earp's Career Best Times: 26.37 in 50-meter freestyle; 56.15 in 100-meter freestyle; 2:00.72 in 200-meterfreestyle; 4:17.96 in 400-meterfreestyle; 1:11.12 in 100-meterbreaststroke; 2:36.12 in 200-meter breaststroke. DeSelm's Comments About Earp: "Lauren has had an outstanding career representing Etobicoke and as a member of theCanadian National Junior Team. Her times are among the fastest ever by an incoming freshman at UNC in the 100 and 200 freestyles. Lauren will have animmediate and positive impact on our team."

Annie Harrison of Toronto, Ontario attends Appleby College and competes for the Oakville Aquatic Club where she is coached by Sean Baker. Harrison's Career Best Times: 1:04.07 in the 100-meter backstroke; 2:14.28 in the 200-meter backstroke; 2:20.61 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:50.49 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Harrison: "Annie visited UNC with her mother several years ago and we were immediately impressed with her desire to excel. She is a versatile swimmer, competing primarily in middle distance free, back and IM. We expect Annie to swim a variety of events for us and be part of astrong corps of versatile swimmers in our IM group."

Hannah Lincoln of Raleigh, N.C., attends Leesville Road High and does her club swimming for the Marlins of Raleigh. She is coached in high school by Emily Izquierdo while Paul Silver is her club team head coach. Lincoln was a high school Academic All-America selection in both 2009 &2010 and has been North Carolina High School Athletic Association finalist. Lincoln's Career Best Times: 56.58 in the 100-yard butterfly and 1:04.27 in the 100-meter butterfly. DeSelm's Comments About Lincoln: "Hannah has a great work ethic and some tremendous speed. She is relatively new to year-round, high level training. Her coach, Paul Silver, gave Hannah a strong push and feels she will develop in college."

Emma Nunn of Richmond, Va., attends Deep Run High School and competes for NOVA Swimming. She is coached on the club teamlevel by Geoff Brown and Brent St. Pierre. Nunn has attained 2012 Olympic Trials qualifying times in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys and the 200-meter butterfly. Nunn's Career Best Times: 1:49.15 in the 200-yard freestyle; 2:04.16 in the 200-meter freestyle; 4:53.15 in the 500-yard freestyle; 4:24.21 in the 400-meter freestyle; 55.63 in the 100-yard butterfly; 1:03.73 in the 100-meter butterfly; 1:56.65 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:13.72 in the 200-meter butterfly; 2:03.30 in the 200-yard individual medley; 2:18.19 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:17.98 in the 400-yard individual medley; 4:49.59 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Nunn: "Emma will arrive at UNC with a 200-yard butterfly time faster than our current schoolrecord. Her IM and middle distance freestyle times will also be competitivewithin the ACC and, hopefully, nationally. She comes from nationally prominent NOVA Swimming in Richmond, Va. coached by Geoff Brown and Brent St. Pierre."

Erin Purdy of Deerfield, Ill., attends Deerfield High School where she is an honors student and she dives on the club level for Tony Santucci at Glenbrook Aquatics in Glenview, Ill. Purdy is a national level diver who just won the Illinois high school state championship. Diving coach Kevin Lawrence's Comments About Purdy: "Erin jelled very well with the team on her recruiting trip and will be a wonderful addition to the UNC diving corps next year. Next year's diving coach will be very fortunate and blessed to get to work with such a talented individual. She is an amazing young lady."

Kendall Surhoff of Cockeysville, Md., attends St. Paul's School for Girls in Brooklandville, Md. On the club level she competes for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Surhoff is coached by her mother, Polly Surhoff, at St. Paul's and by Bob Bowman, Scott Armstrong, Eric Posegay and Chris Collier at NBAC. Surhoff is a USA Swimming national qualifier and multiple MIAA high school league champion. She is the St. Paul's field hockey team captain and an all-star player for the Gators. Her mother, Polly, was an All-America swimmer at UNC, and her, father, B.J., played baseball at UNC and had a successful career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and AtlantaBraves. Surhoff's Career Best Times: 51.86 in the 100-yard freestyle; 1:49.90 in the 200-yard freestyle; 55.58 in the 100-yard butterfly; 1:03.01 in the 100-meter butterfly; 2:02.60 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:19.15 in the 200-meter butterfly; 2:03.53 in the 200-yard individual medley; 2:22.33 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:15.68 in the 400-yard individual medley; 4:59.55 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Surhoff: "We are excited to have Kendall join us. After having helped coach her mother, Polly, at UNC in the 1980s and knowing the family for so long, it is great to haveKendall set to attend UNC. Kendall has played field hockey throughout high school and we are eager to get a full season of training to see what she can do."

The following men's swimmers and divers have signed NLIs.

Ben Colley of Williamsburg, Va., attends Lafayette High School while also competing for the Williamsburg Aquatic Club, where he is coached by Harold Baker. Colley is a USA Swimming senior national qualifier and the high point winner at the Virginia Senior Championships and Speedo Sectionals. Colley is a 2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 200-meter butterfly. Colley's Career Best Times: 21.24 in the 50-yard freestyle; 46.03 in the 100-yard freestyle; 1:40.16 in the 200-yard freestyle; 49.59 in the 100-yard backstroke; 1:00.17 in the 100-meter backstroke; 1:50.89 in the 200-yard backstroke; 49.81 in the 100-yard butterfly; 58.61 in the 100-meter butterfly; 1:48.26 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:03.91 in the 200-meter butterfly. DeSelm's Comments About Colley: "Ben is a strong butterfly and backstroke swimmer with the potential for tremendous improvement. He had an excellent summer and we are eager to have Ben join our team. He will be counted on to add a significant element to our strong fly group and develop his other strokes."

Mitch DeForest of Cary, N.C., attends Cary, N.C., and competes in club swimming for the Raleigh Swim Association. DeForest is coached by Kit Raulerson at RSA. DeForest's Career Best Times: 1:40.05 in the 200-yard freestyle; 4:28.98 in the 500-yard freestyle; 9:14.63 in the 1000-yard freestyle; 15:29.89 in the 1650-yard freestyle; 51.48 in the 100-yard backstroke; 1:48.62 in the 200-yard backstroke; 1:49.47 in the 200-yard butterfly; 3:56.99 in the 400-yard individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About DeForest: "Mitch is a versatile swimmer with strengths in the IMs, backstroke and distance free. Under the direction of RSA coach Kit Raulerson, Mitch has a strong background and will be ready for college training. We are excited to have Mitch choose to stay close to home and feel he has a lot of room for improvement."

Nic Graesser of Wayne, Pa. attends Conestoga High School where he is coached by Mark Tirone and competes for the Upper Main Line YMCA club team where he is coached By Glen Nuefeld. Graesser's Career Best Times: 50.37 in the 100-yard backstroke; 58.27 in the 100-meter backstroke; 1:48.76 in the 200-yard backstroke; 2:09.83 in the 200-meter backstroke. DeSelm's Comments About Graesser: "Nic hails from one of the great YMCA programs in the country, Upper Main Line Y, coached by Glen Nuefeld. We looked to deepen our talent base in the backstroke this year and Nic fits that need. We are excited to have Nic's commitment to UNC and it is great to have another UMLY swimmer in our program."

Logan Heck of Mooresville, N.C., attends Lake Norman High School and competes for SwimMAC Carolina. Chris Webb and David Marsh serve as Heck's coaches at SwimMAC. Heck has already attained 2012 Olympic Trials qualifying times in the 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly. Heck's Career Best Times: 21.21 in the 50-yard freestyle; 24.07 in the 50-meter freestyle; 45.82 in the 100-yard freestyle; 51.34 in the 100-meter freestyle; 49.98 in the 100-yard butterfly; 55.59 in the 100-meter butterfly; 1:49.22 in the 200-yard butterfly; 2:03.13 in the 200-meter butterfly; 1:53.11 in the 200-yard individual medley; 2:10.46 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:40.33 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Heck: "Logan and Mitch DeForest are two of the best North Carolina recruits this year and we are excited Logan will be on our roster in Chapel Hill next August. Logan is rapidly improving in the fly and sprints. He had a terrific summer and we are excited to get another SwimMACswimmer at UNC."
Matt Kwatyra of London, Ontario attends Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School while competing for the London Aquatic Club where he is coached by Andrew Craven. Kwatyra has made multiple international teams for Canada. He competed for Junior Team Canada at the 2009 North American Challenge Cup, the 2010 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawai'I and the 2011 Junior WorldChampionships in Lima, Peru. Kwatyra was named the 2010 Canadian Junior Swimmer of the Year. Kwatyra's Career Best Times: 2:04.40 in the 200-meter backstroke; 57.69 in the 100-meter butterfly; 2:04.83 in the 200-meter individual medley; 4:23.15 in the 400-meter individual medley. DeSelm's Comments About Kwatyra: "Matt is a highly touted prospect from Canada with tremendous international experience. He excels in the IM and backstroke. He will be a strong ACC level swimmer and has the potential to score at the NCAA Championships."

Sam Lewis of Alpharetta, Ga., attends Milton High School and attends Dynamo Swim Club. Lewis is coached by Theresa Lee at Milton HS and by Rich Murphy at Dynamo SC. Lewis' Career Best Times: 20.77 in the 50-yard freestyle; 24.03 in the 50-meter freestyle; 52.71 in the 100-meter freestyle; 49.63 in the 100-yard backstroke; 58.12 in the 100-meter backstroke; 1:50.98 in the 200-yard backstroke; 2:08.26 in the 200-meter backstroke; 49.62 in the 100-yard butterfly; 56.80 in the 100-meter butterfly. DeSelm's Comments About Lewis: "We are counting on Sam to bring his considerable ability in the sprint fly, back and free events to help boost our effort in those events and relays. His training at Dynamo Swim Club will prepare him well for a terrific college career."
Ozzie Moyer of Harleysville, Pa., attends Souderton Area Senior High School and competes for the Centennial Diving Club where he is coached by Steve Kuttruff. He is a three-time junior national qualifier and was a junior national finalist this past summer. Diving coach Kevin Lawrence's Comments About Moyer: "I am ecstatic that Ozzie will be attending UNC next year. He is a perfect fit for what Carolina standsfor. The only regret I have is that I will not have the opportunity to coach this fine young man next year. He will continue the strong tradition of Carolina diving in the years to come."

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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