MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University swimming and diving coach Vic Riggs has announced that nine student-athletes will join the men’s team for the 2016-17 season.
The fall signees are Brandon Christian, Jack Frazier, Ryan Kelly, Matthew Marsh, Sam Neaveill, Jack Portmann, Trayton Saladin, Gabe Swardson and Robert Wylie.
“This class is one of the strongest classes we've brought in, and to have it come together in the fall is a great accomplishment for our team and staff,” Riggs said. “The diversity of the class addresses many of our depth issues and holes with several seniors graduating. The most impressive aspect of this group is each member will have an immediate impact on our program the very first day they step on campus next year. I am impressed with each of their commitment to the recruiting process and to their future in both academics and athletics at WVU.”
Brandon Christian | Largo, Florida | Seminole High School
Top Times:
200 Free 1:41.37
500 Free 4:32.65
1000 Free 9:26.23
1650 Free 15:56.15
400 IM 4:07.43
Riggs on Christian: “A true Mountaineer with family ties to WVU, Brandon joining our program is a special experience for him and for us. The excitement and gratitude he expressed when he verbally committed was special. A talented distance freestyler with a strong individual medley, Brandon will be a great addition to our distance/IM group. I’m excited to see his progression in our program. He brings that Mountaineer spirit with him, which is an added bonus.”
Christian on West Virginia: “When I first started swimming at age five, I would always tell my parents, ‘when I'm older, I want to swim at WVU,’ which is where they both graduated from. Since then, I have trained, worked hard and did my best to achieve that goal. When I first started the recruitment process and got that first call from coach Riggs, I was ecstatic. I took my official visit and fell in love immediately, and I knew this is where I wanted to go. I hope for a great next four years, and I'm proud to be a Mountaineer!”
Jack Frazier | Greer, South Carolina | Riverside High School
Top Times:
200 Free 1:41.22
100 Fly 49.19
200 Fly 1:49.81
100 Fly LCM 55.98
200 Fly LCM 2:05.98
Riggs on Frazier: “During our recruitment of Jack, I became more and more impressed with his dedication to his family, sport and education. Jack took the time and effort to learn about our program and what we as a team are looking for in a swimmer. I knew all along he was someone we needed to become a Mountaineer. His butterfly and freestyle will be huge assets as we move forward. It will be fun to watch him train with our other fliers as they challenge each other.”
Frazier on West Virginia: "I chose West Virginia because I felt the most at home there. Once I stepped on campus, I felt like I was already accepted by the athletes and coaching staff as a Mountaineer.”
Ryan Kelly | Whitby, Ontario | Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
Top Times:
200 Free SCM 1:53.86
100 Fly LCM :56.78
200 Fly LCM 2:03.43
Riggs on Kelly: “Ryan impressed me from the minute he stepped on campus during his visit. His knowledge of the sport and desire to be part of a program he feels he can make better is the type of character that makes everyone around him better. In our discussions about training philosophies and competitions, I knew he would be a great addition to this class. Ryan joins a very strong class of butterfliers, and along with his freestyle, he will make our program fun to watch.”
Kelly on West Virginia: "The swimming program at WVU is led by a great coaching staff, and it has an environment that I strongly believe I will thrive in and enjoy during my years there. I feel at home with the team, and I know that WVU is a perfect fit for me, athletically and academically. I'm proud to officially become a Mountaineer!"
Matthew Marsh | Jamestown, New York | Maple Grove Jr/Sr High School
Top Times:
100 Free :45.40
50 Free :20.70
100 Breast :57.75
Riggs on Marsh: “Matt will continue a family Mountaineer tradition, and we are very excited about him joining our program. Matt is a very talented sprint freestyler and breaststroker that will have an immediate impact on our relays and sprint events. Matt’s addition to our power group is much needed with our top sprinters and breaststrokers graduating. Coming from a small club program, along with his talent, I see Matt continuing our legacy in those events.”
Marsh on West Virginia: "During my recruiting trip I really enjoyed the team environment and the coaching staff. I knew I could excel both in the classroom and in my sport at WVU. I am excited to be a Mountaineer!"
Sam Neaveill | Germantown Hills, Illinois | Notre Dame High School of Peoria
Top Times:
50 Free :20.65
100 Free :45.52
200 Free 1:41.12
Riggs on Neaveill: “Sam’s size and power in the sprint freestyle events will be a great addition to our power group. We graduate a very talented and successful senior class in the sprint events and Sam’s 50 and 100 free will be a much needed addition to our relays and championship meets. During our recruiting, we as a staff knew Sam would be a huge part of our future and we are excited he is joining our Mountaineer family.”
Neaveill on West Virginia: “I chose WVU because it felt like home. The team is extremely close and filled with great people. I felt like I would fit in well. The school is really nice, and the campus is beautiful.”
Jack Portmann | Newark, Delaware | Salesianum High School
Top Times:
100 Breast :57.73
200 Breast 2:03.89
100 Fly :49.42
200 IM 1:52.27
400 IM 4:03.99
Riggs on Portmann: “Jack’s breaststroke, butterfly and IM events are an important part of this class. His talent in all of those areas will be a much needed addition. Having his coach, former WVU swimmer Pablo Marmolejo, support his decision and highly recommend him to us, we knew WVU would be a great fit for Jack. With his strength in the breaststroke, he will not only be a factor in individual events but also in our relays. I am also excited to see his individual medley develop as well.”
Portmann on West Virginia: “I chose West Virginia University because it has everything I was looking for in a school and college swim program. The team and coaching staff made me feel at home as soon as I arrived on campus. They are a very close and supportive group. I’m looking forward to working with them over the next four years to help the team reach its goals, as well as my own personal goals. I am excited to be a Mountaineer!”
Trayton Saladin | Buchanan, Michigan | Buchanan High School
Top Times:
500 Free 4:30.99
1650 Free 15:53.24
200 Back 1:50.74
200 Back LCM 2:07.66
Riggs on Saladin: “Trayton is a very strong mid-distance freestyler as well as backstroker, and he will add depth to both areas. I look forward to seeing where his talent takes him. Trayton knew very early on that WVU was the place for him and was excited about the process. Having him join our distance/backstroke group will be exciting to watch as we continue to strive to improve in those areas.”
Saladin on West Virginia: "I chose West Virginia because I felt a personal connection with the university and team. It seemed like a perfect fit from the beginning. During the whole process the coaches were helpful with all my questions. During my visit, the team was welcoming and made me feel at home. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of West Virginia swimming and the community, and I look forward to growing as a swimmer while getting a quality education. Thanks to all who have supported me, I couldn’t have done it without you. Go Mountaineers!"
Gabe Swardson | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Nelson Snider High School
Top Times:
100 Fly :49.14
200 Fly 1:47.86
200 IM 1:53.39
Riggs on Swardson: “Gabe was our first commitment this fall, which was exciting for both of us. He is one of three very strong fliers in this class, and along with his IM he will become part of a very strong butterfly group. I can see those events becoming an area of strength for us in the near future. Having the opportunity to get to know him over the past few months, it became very apparent our program is fortunate to have him become a Mountaineer.”
Swardson on West Virginia: “West Virginia University was the perfect choice for me. It’s the perfect combination of the family, athletic and collegiate atmosphere I was looking for. I can't wait to be part of the Mountaineer swim team!”
Robert Wylie | Watkinsville, Georgia | Oconee County High School
Top Times:
500 Free 4:35.71
1650 Free 15:54.83
200 Back 1:49.94
400 IM 4:00.18
Riggs on Wylie: “Robert brings a versatility that is very attractive to our program. After speaking with him and his coach, I knew he would be a great Mountaineer. Robert's strengths in freestyle, backstroke and individual medley will be a strong addition to our distance/IM group and I look forward to seeing him contribute immediately.”
Wylie on West Virginia: “I chose WVU because it was a great fit for me academically and athletically. Go mountaineers."
