Swimming: Riggs Adds Eight to Men’s Program
July 23, 2010 09:22 AM | General
By Grant Dovey for MSNsportsNET.com
July 23, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University swimming and diving coach Vic Riggs has announced the addition of eight student-athletes to the men’s program for the 2010-11 season.
“I’m excited about this incoming freshman class of very talented young men,” Riggs says. “They will continue to bring a level of competition to the program that will help everyone get better and continue to strive to our goal of being the best program in the BIG EAST.”
Zach Chow (Reading, Pa.) and Tim Squires (Buckhannon, W.Va.) each signed a National Letter of Intent, while Joseph AbuRahma (Charleston, W.Va.), Bryan Brown (Dover, Del.), Peter Murto (Morgantown, W.Va.), Richard Pokorny (East Concord, N.Y.) and Matt Smith (Manassas, Va.) join the team as invited walk-ons.
Dan Corley (Crozet, Va.) becomes a Mountaineer after spending two seasons at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Ill.
AbuRahma joins WVU swimming after competing under coach Shannon Vollmer at Charleston Catholic and coach Greg Olson at HYCAT.
“We’re excited about Joseph’s addition to the program,” Riggs adds. “He’s an excellent student, entering the pre-med program, and will contribute immediately in fly and free events. I’m excited to have another West Virginia athlete join the program.”
The Charleston, W.Va., native finished his senior season with first-place finishes in the 200 free and 100 fly at the state championships, while also part of the 200 medley relay team that finished second. In 2009, AbuRahma finished second in the 200 IM and third in the 100 fly.
“I'm looking forward to attending and swimming for WVU next fall,” AbuRahma says.
AbuRahma is a two-time all-state performance. He is also a two-time national finalist and a NISCA (National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association) High School Academic All-American.
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| Bryan Brown |
Brown comes to Morgantown from Dover, Del., where he swam backstroke for coach Molly Phillips at Dover High and for coach Chris Gardner at the Central Delaware YMCA.
“Bryan brings depth to our roster and I feel that he has the potential to contribute and improve during his collegiate career at WVU,” Riggs comments.
The three-time MVP and team captain at Dover High was a seven-time Henlopen Conference champion and a four-time all-conference choice. Brown also holds five school records and three conference records. At the 2010 conference championships, Brown was given the Vince Morris award for most outstanding swimmer in the conference. A two-time all-state selection, Brown was a NISCA High School All-American in the 100 back.
"I am excited to attend West Virginia University and really like the Mountaineer tradition of excellence,” Brown says. “I believe I will fit in well with the swimming team and coaching staff."
With Central Delaware YMCA, Brown was a five-time YMCA National qualifier in both long course and short course. He also played varsity lacrosse and is an Eagle Scout.
A Reading, Pa., native, Chow comes to Morgantown after a successful career at Muhlenberg High under the direction of former WVU swimmer, coach Todd Eisenhofer.
“As we continue to add to our sprint free events and relays, Zach will have an immediate impact,” Riggs says. “Zach will bring added depth to our freestyle events, while contributing at both the BIG EAST Championships and dual meets.”
Chow is a three-time captain and 14-time all-state member, as well as a seven-time NISCA High School All-American. He is also a six-time district winner and was the state champion in the 50 free, while finishing second in the 100 free.
“Through the vigorous recruiting process in the beginning of my senior year, I pondered if I would even swim again,” Chow says. “My coach then introduced me to WVU and I am glad I took the opportunity to visit. I want to thank Vic, Damion (Dennis) and Kyle (Gallo) for allowing me the chance to swim for such an accredited university and I hope to contribute as much as possible to the swim program.”
At Muhlenberg High, Chow holds seven pool records and is the Berks County record holder in the 100 free. Chow also played water polo where he was two-time all-county and finished his career as the school's all-time assist leader.
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| Dan Corley |
Corley joins West Virginia after spending two seasons with Lincoln College. At the 2010 NJCAA Championships, Corley finishing the 200 IM in first place, while finishing second in the 200 free and third in the 100 free. He was also named the Lincoln College MVP for his performances last year.
“Dan will help our relay events coming from Lincoln,” Riggs notes. “Individually, Dan will add depth to our free events and help lead the IM’ers, and we hope that he’ll compete very well at the BIG EAST level in those events.”
In 2008-09, Corley finished third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free and seventh in the 100 free. He also holds the school record in the 200 free.
“Coming from a small junior college in Illinois, WVU is quite a large step for me,” Corley says. “While taking such a large step, it is also very exciting to be training and competing at the Division I level. I only hope that after all of the training I can put out as much as I have received and help the WVU swimming program be the best we can be.”
A Crozet, Va., native, Corley attended Western Albemarle High where he captained the swim team and holds school records for the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free. Corley also swam for Shenandoah Marlins Athletic Club where he was a YMCA Nationals qualifier in the 100 free, 200 free and 200 IM.
A native of Morgantown, Murto is very familiar with the Mountaineers as he swam for coach Karl Bramer at Morgantown High and WVU assistant coach Kyle Gallo with West Virginia Aquatics.
“It’s important that we’ve continued to add the top swimmers from Morgantown and West Virginia Aquatics,” Riggs says. “Being a breaststroke specialist, we’re excited to add Peter to our already talented breaststroke group.”
Murto is a two-time state champion in the 100 breast and was a member of the all-region, all-tournament and all-NCAC teams in 2010. Murto also served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons and holds the records in the 100 breast and 100 fly at Morgantown.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my swimming career at WVU,” Murto says. “The coaches and team members have already shown their support to me and I am looking forward to making them proud of my efforts.”
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| Richard Pokorny |
Pokorny will join the Mountaineer diving team and is expected to make an immediate impact after having a successful high school campaign. An East Concord, N.Y., native, Pokorny dove for coach Katie Winkey at the Springville-Griffith Institute, while also diving for coach Karla Helder of Wings Diving.
“Richard is a talented and experienced diver who is going to help continue to grow our program,” Riggs comments. “After losing Brandon (Robinson), we’re hoping that Richard can come in, score well and qualify for zones.”
Pokorny was a four-time team MVP for Springville-Griffith and was NISCA High School All-American. At the 2010 NYSPHAA Championships, he finished the 1-meter in fourth place with a score of 444.10 points.
“I'm very excited about joining the Mountaineer diving program,” Pokorny says. “WVU looks to be an amazing place to start the next chapter of my life and I will have all the tools available for me academically and athletically. The dedication and unity of the WVU team is one of many elements that made it stand out from other schools and I am very happy to know that I will soon be a part of it.”
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| Matt Smith |
Smith joins Riggs’ Mountaineers from Manassas, Va., where he swam under the tutelage of coach Angie Smith at Kettle Run High, while also swimming for Occoquan Swimming.
“Matt is a talented swimmer from Virginia with a strong mid-distance freestyle background,” Riggs says. “We are looking for him to continue to improve in those events.”
A freestyle swimmer, Smith was a two-year captain at Kettle Run High and was the 2010 team MVP. He also placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 500 free and 50 free at the 2010 Virginia state championships.
“West Virginia University provides its student-athletes an excellent opportunity to excel,” Smith says. “As a third generation Mountaineer, I‘m excited to get on campus, meet friends and start my college experience.”
Before joining Kettle Run High, Smith attended Brentsville District High and was the 2008 team captain and high point scorer. He also was on the freestyle leg of the 200 medley relay team that finished in first at the state championships. A 2008 NISCA All-American, Smith was an NCSA Junior Nationals qualifier and Speed Super Sectional qualifier from 2009-10.
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| Tim Squires |
Squires will join WVU as the top sprint swimmer in the West Virginia high school system. A native of Buckhannon, W.Va., Squires swam for Buckhannon-Upsur High under coach Michael Roessing and for coach Dennis Miller at RAYS.
“When recruiting, it is very important to recruit the best in your state and I feel that we have done that with the addition of Tim, Peter and Joseph,” Riggs says. “Tim will compete immediately to become one of the best sprint freestylers in conference. He will also help the sprint free relays, medley relays and help them qualify for NCAAs.”
Squires was a member of the all-region team in each of his four years and holds school records in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 200 medley relay. He was also the conference swimmer of the year and on the all-state team in 2008 and 2009, as well as being named a NISCA High School All-American.
“I'm excited about becoming a Mountaineer and look forward to swimming on the team,” Squires says.
He holds the state record in the 50 free and 100 free and finished the 100 free in first place from 2008-2010. Squires also took first place in the 50 free from 2009-2010 after finishing second in the 2008 championships. Squires also finished the 50 free and 100 free in second at the 2010 YMCA Nationals.
