Swimming & Diving Announces 2011-12 Recruits
6/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall swimming & diving head coach Ron Farina has signed eight athletes to join his squad. For the men, Richard Dunham (Wayzata, Minn.), Victor Hui (Livingston, N.J.), James Logan (Wallingford, Pa.), Benjamin Mitchell (Milford, Pa.), and Nathan Pursley (Cambridge, Mass.) will compete for the Pirates this fall. Farina will also bring in Sarah Dougherty (Newtonville, N.Y.), Samantha Granan (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), and Megan Mostoller (Cheshire, Conn.) to round out the women's roster.
Dunham is a transfer from the University of Texas and will compete as a sophomore in the fall. While at Wayzata High School, Dunham was named a NISCA All-American, was three-time All-State, and a six-time sectional champion in freestyle events.
"We expect Richard to step in right away for us and be a potential BIG EAST Championship finalist in the freestyle," stated Farina. "I really like that he can compete in a variety of distances anywhere from 50 to 500 yards."
Hui is projected to swim in the backstroke and freestyle events at the collegiate level. He is no stranger to the SHU program as he trains with current assistant coach Kevin Mullaney and former standout Kevin Webster's summer team, the Livingston Aqua Jets.
"Victor has a lot of potential," said Farina. "I think with some more training, he could be a BIG EAST qualifier."
Logan, a product out of Strathaven high school, is an accomplished swimmer in the breaststroke and freestyle. He won the Central League Title in the 100-yard breaststroke, and boasts a personal-best time of 58.0 in the event. Logan also claimed a District One AA title in the 100-yard breaststroke and freestyle as a junior.
"J.C.'s versatility will help us fill in for some of the seniors we lost," Farina said. "I think he'll be able to help us out a great deal this season."
Mitchell is a district champion diver hailing from Delaware Valley High School in Pennsylvania.
"Benjamin will solidify our diving program without a doubt," commented Farina. "We really expect him to make an impact right away and qualify for the conference championships as a freshman."
Pursley is another multitalented swimmer from the Cambridge Ridge and Latin School in Massachussetts that can swim in the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly ranging anywhere from the 50 to 400-yard events.
"Nathan's athleticism allows us to slide people in different events that will maximize points in dual meets," said Farina. "It will really keep some of our other guys fresh for more events and will be a great help."
Dougherty was homeschooled and may not come in with the accolades as some, but Farina believes she can qualify for the BIG EAST Championships right away and help the team.
"Sarah will give us great depth in the middle distance events," the head coach said. "We are very happy she is joining us this fall."
Granan competes for the Marist Swim Club and will be slated to compete in individual medley and various stroke events.
Mostoller was the captain of her Cheshire High School team that has a 276 dual-match win streak, which is the longest in the country. She attended short course nationals last year, and Mostoller's best time in the 100-yard breaststroke was a 1:07.98, which helped her place seventh at the State Open.
"Megan is going to solidify the breaststroke for us," Farina said. "Just like Nathan on the men's team, her stepping in will make us stronger in more events."
