MacDonald Announces Additions to Men's, Women's 2024-25 Teams

MacDonald Announces Additions to Men's, Women's 2024-25 Teams

September 05, 2024 09:08 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

By: Charles Montgomery

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Head coach Brent MacDonald of the West Virginia University men's and women's swimming and diving team has announced additions to the 2024-25 roster.

"Whenever a new coaching staff takes over with a recruiting class in place it can be an interesting dynamic," MacDonald said. "As soon as we took a look at the commitments and talked about our vision, it was clear that we had a great group that can help us be very competitive in the Big 12.

"We have a nice mix of talent in a variety of events that will really help with our overall depth as well as potentially contributing on relays. Can't wait to get this group in the water."

The men's swimming and diving team adds eight student-athletes while the women's swimming and diving team adds nine student-athletes ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Kornelia Buszka
Junior | Warsaw, Poland

Events: Freestyle/Butterfly

Buszka on WVU: "West Virginia has a great pool, and the campus is wonderful."

Kendall Butler
Freshman | Seaford, Va.

Event: Freestyle

Butler on WVU: "I chose WVU because the team was so welcoming, and the school has a lot to offer."

MJ Gilligan
Freshman | Scottsdale, Ariz.

Events: Freestyle/Butterfly/Individual Medley

Gilligan on WVU: "I chose WVU because of its welcoming environment and beautiful campus. The energy that I feel here is unmatched."

Patton Graziano
Freshman | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Events: Backstroke/Freestyle

Graziano on WVU: "There is an amazing culture with many great people at WVU."

Levi Hellmann
Freshman | Massillon, Ohio

Event: Diving

Hellmann on WVU: "In 2022 I came to WVU for a national meet, and I loved everything about the pool, the campus and the academics. Eventually, I met the coach and some of the athletes, and in time I decided to make WVU my home."

Delaney Householder
Freshman | Morgantown, W.Va.

Events: Individual Medley/Backstroke

Householder on WVU: "Growing up in Morgantown, it has always been a dream to swim for WVU and represent the people of this great state and the iconic Flying WV."

Carter Kegle
Freshman | East Grand Rapids, Mich.

Event: Freestyle

Kegle on WVU: "I chose West Virginia University for the great team culture and community."

Olivia Kraus
5^th Year | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Event: Freestyle

Kraus on WVU: "I chose to attend WVU because of its exceptional doctoral program in Behavioral Neuroscience and outstanding swim team. As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt at home and sure the academic and athletic training I'll receive will help me achieve my goals."

Logan Leckner
Freshman | Charlotte, N.C.

Events: Freestyle/Individual Medley

Leckner on WVU: "I chose to attend WVU to push myself to reach my highest potential as a swimmer and discover my next path in life."

Nick Lugo
Freshman | Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.

Events: Butterfly/Freestyle

Lugo on WVU: "I chose WVU because of the atmosphere, chemistry and competitiveness of the team."

Janine Murphy
Freshman | Massillon, Ohio

Events: Backstroke/Freestyle

Murphy on WVU: "When visiting I was really impressed by the facilities as well as the organization of the program. I knew this would be a place I could develop academically and physically."

Noah Ott
Freshman | San Antonio, Texas

Events: Freestyle/Butterfly

Ott on WVU: "I chose WVU because of its competitive environment, which I believe offers the best opportunity for me to learn and grow as a student-athlete."

Erik Petruzzi
Freshman | Lexington, N.C.

Event: Breaststroke

Petruzzi on WVU: "During my visit, I immediately felt like this was where I could see myself. I've always been a mountain person, and WVU had everything I loved."

Victoria Santino
Freshman | Fairfax, Va.

Event: Distance

Santino on WVU: "I chose WVU because I felt so at home after my first visit, and I loved the team as well as the atmosphere."

Joey Stebbins
Freshman | Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Events: Backstroke/Breaststroke

Stebbins on WVU: "I chose WVU because of the amazing campus, geography, people, academics, athletic facilities and swim team. I wanted to go to a place where I could align with swimming and every other factor of college and WVU was the perfect match for me."

Jayla Thompson
Freshman | Atlanta, Ga.

Events: Butterfly/Freestyle

Thompson on WVU: "This team welcomed me and made me feel like I was part of their family."

Zach Zornan Ferguson
Freshman | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Event: Freestyle

Zornan Ferguson on WVU: "WVU was my only official visit that did not feel like a visit and rather just hanging out with friends."

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.