UNC Men Ink Four in Fall Signing Period

alvin jiang, north carolina, acc swimming

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey A. Camarti-UNC Athletics Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina men’s swimming program has signed four prospective student-athletes to NCAA National Letters-of-Intent and Grants-in-Aid in the recent fall 2017 signing period. Coach Rich DeSelm made the announcement on Monday.

DeSelm’s outstanding recruiting class includes Thomas Bretzmann of Chapel Hill, N.C., Tucker Burhans of Clemmons, N.C., Jacob Rauch of Charlotte, N.C., and Luka Tomic of Oakville, Ontario.

Thomas Bretzmann

Bretzmann is a middle distance and distance freestyle who has competed at the North Carolina Aquatic Club.

Career Best Times (Short Course): 1:41.30 in 200-yard freestyle; 4:30.23 in 500-yard freestyle; 9:11.15 in 1000-yard freestyle and 15:25.88 in 1650-yard freestyle.

Career Best Times (Long Course): 1:55.90 in 200-meter freestyle; 3:59.33 in 400-meter freestyle; 8:13.36 in 800-meter freestyle; 15:45.55 in 1500-meter freestyle.

Quoting Bretzmann: “I chose UNC Swimming because the team felt like a family on my recruiting trip and from the minute I set foot on campus I felt right at home.”

Quoting DeSelm: “We have watched Thomas develop for years as he developed in our local club team, North Carolina Aquatic Club. He has a great work ethic, races extremely well and has improved consistently. His recent club coaches, Kathy McKee, Sean Quinn, Michael Brooks and Steve Brown have prepared him well. Thomas is a tremendous student and has high academic and swimming goals. We believe Thomas will excel academically and be a great college swimmer.”

Tucker Burhans

Burhans is a sprinter, competing in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly events. He currently swims at Efinity Aquatics.

Career Best Times (Short Course): 20.94 in 50-yard freestyle; 45.28 in 100-yard freestyle; 49.90 in 100-yard backstroke; 49.97 in 100-yard butterfly.

Career Best Times (Long Course): 24.27 in 50-meter freestyle; 52.73 in 100-meter freestyle; 58.18 in 100-meter backstroke; 56.12 in 100-meter butterfly.

Quoting Burhans: “I chose UNC swimming & diving because of the competitive, unifying, and driven atmosphere that the Tar Heels radiate. Combined with a beautiful campus, amazing coaches, teammates, and stellar academics, I knew I wanted to make UNC my home the moment I got to Chapel Hill. I am humbled by the honor I have to be a Tar Heel and can’t wait for next fall.”

Quoting DeSelm: “Tucker grew up in a family with UNC ties and is an avid Tar Heel. It is great to have someone joining us who bleeds Carolina Blue. He is relatively new to the sport and has developed nicely under the guidance of some of North Carolina’s finest club coaches, Tim Hillen and Korey McCulley at Efinity Aquatics, and, previously, Chris Bowker at Star Aquatics. Tucker has great size and raw speed and will contribute significantly.”

Jacob Rauch

Rauch is arguably the most versatile of the four signees, competing in breaststroke and backstroke and excelling in the individual medley. He currently competes with ATOM Aquatics.

Career Best Times (Short Course): 55.58 in 100-yard breaststroke; 2:03.89 in 200-yard breaststroke; 1:48.84 in 200-yard backstroke; 1:50.83 in 200-yard individual medley.

Career Best Times (Long Course): 1:04.41 in 100-meter breaststroke; 2:23.55 in 200-meter breaststroke; 2:08.04 in 200-meter backstroke; 2:08.02 in 200-meter individual medley.

Quting Rauch: “I chose UNC because it has an outstanding tradition of excellence in academics and athletics. The swim team made me feel at home and I can’t wait to join my new team and become part of the Tar Heel family.”

Quoting DeSelm: “Jacob comes from another Carolina family and brings a somewhat rare combination of talents in back, breast and IM. He has been well coached at his club team, ATOM, in Charlotte under Shaynah Jerrell and Jeremy Gregory as well as one of the greatest North Carolina high school coaches, Leslie Berens, at South Mecklenburg High School.”

Luka Tomic

Tomic is a middle distance freestyle performer and is another in a long list of recent Canadian signees for the Tar Heel swimming programs. He is a junior college transfer from Indian River State College.

Career Best Times (Short Course): 45.34 in 100-yard freestyle; 1:36.28 in 200-yard freestyle; 4:24.72 in 500-yard freestyle; 1:45.97 in 200-yard backstroke.

Career Best Times (Long Course): 53.05 in 100-meter freestyle; 2:06.59 in 200-meter backstroke.

Quoting Tomic: “I chose UNC because of its amazing swimming program and academics. I also loved the coaching staff and trust that they will help me reach my full potential as a student-athlete. I can’t wait to be a Tar Heel.”

Quoting DeSelm: “Luka will transfer from Indian River and have two years of eligibility at UNC. He has tremendous talent and will swim a variety of events for us. He also has international aspirations and we look forward to continuing the great work coaches Sion Brinn and Manny Noguchi and the staff at IRSC as well the development his Oakville (Ontario, Canada) club coaches Sean Baker, Cathy Pardy and Laura Nicholson have all done with Luka.”

Press release courtesy of UNC Athletics.

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