Men’s swimming recruits looks to make a splash

Date and Time :    24 July, 2013 — 12:00 pm

Game Recap:

SUDBURY, ON – The Laurentian Voyageurs men’s swim team and head coach Phil Parker are pleased to announce their 2013-14 recruiting class.  The eight swimmers coming in include a number of provincial and national qualifiers.

Christian Dibernardo, a breaststroker from Winnipeg, MB, will be enrolled in the Commerce program at Laurentian in September.  Dibernardo comes to Sudbury as an age group national qualifier as well as a Manitoba provincial team member.  For the lifelong athlete, it’s the “competitive nature of the sport and the feeling of self-satisfaction you get after achieving your goals” that pushes him in the pool.

A backstroke and freestyle specialist from Peterborough, ON, James Sutherland was a multiple award winner at the club level.  James is coming off some strong performances at this year Canada Cup in Montreal this past June and looks forward to donning the blue and gold this fall.

Shane Rock will be joining the Voyageurs from Sault Ste. Marie, ON.  The butterfly and freestyle specialist is familiar with the provincial swimming scene, having won multiple provincial team championships and several NEOR regional championships.  A future SPAD student, Rock is looking forward to the quality of training he will receive at the university level as well as developing new relationships with his teammates.

Kirkland Lake, Ontario’s Ryan Allsopp will also be joining the Voyageurs in the fall.  The future Psychology student is an age national qualifier in the 200m breaststroke and never truly takes a day off.  “On my days off, I’m usually making sure my other priorities are maintained,” said Allsopp.  “This consists of school work, working out in the gym and making sure I’m well rested for swimming.”

Local product, Jordan Hotta, will specialize in the breaststroke when he hits the water in September.  The future SPAD student has won multiple junior provincial medals and was a top 8 finisher at the age group nationals.  Hotta is excited for the upcoming year; “I look forward to representing my school, my city and seeing how far I can take my swimming career.”

Future Kinesiology student, Christian Baldesarra, will be joining the Voyageurs out of Aurora, ON.  The freestyle and butterfly swimmer enjoys the multi-layered facet of swimming, saying, “I love swimming because it is an individual sport so the performance is all on you yet there is a great sense of camaraderie between you and your teammates.”

Nady Tannir will be joining the Voyageurs from Pickering, ON.  The soon-to-be Forensic Science student has won multiple provincial and regional medals.  Nady is looking forward to balancing both academics and athletics at a high level to give him the tools for future success after graduation.

Coach Parker rounded out his recruiting class for the men’s team by adding Aurora, ON, product David Ahong. The long distance powerhouse qualified for both the Olympic and World Championship Trials after winning a provincial title in the 1500m.  The future Sports Psychology student also finished 5th at nationals in the 800m freestyle.

“Once again, similar to the ladies this year we have some great talent heading north this coming fall,” says Coach Parker.  “The depth and experience of the incoming student-athletes is going to help get us continue to be a force for years to come.  Each of these guys can step right in and make an impact at the OUA level.  September cannot come fast enough.”

With the men’s recruits finalized, Parker will now focus on ensuring that his large number of incoming recruits are prepared for the demands of being a varsity athlete. Be sure to follow www.luvoyageurs.com for up to date news on the swim teams and all of your Voyageurs.

Laurentian University's Department of Athletics is home to 18 varsity sports teams. The Voyageurs’ decorated history of pride and tradition includes 62 provincial championships as well as 10 national championships in 53 years of competition.

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Bryan Carruthers

Marketing