June 1, 2004

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech swimming & diving staff announced Tuesday the signing of four athletes who will join the squad for the 2004-2005 season.

"We were very fortunate to have such a successful early signing period with commitments from nine athletes, but we knew that our recruiting for the year was not nearly over," said head coach Ned Skinner. "Our success in signing the nine in November did, however, allow us to focus in on certain athletes to fill specific holes next year after losing such a large senior class. We are very happy with all of our incoming athletes for next year and think they are the caliber of athlete that this team needs to make a smooth and successful transition into the Atlantic Coast Conference next year."

Courtney Walsh from Yardley, Pa., will also be making her debut as a Hokie next fall. Competing in the sprint events, Walsh has been a consistent performer at the Pennsylvania AAA high school state meet all four years. She also led her team to a District 1 Championship in 2003. At this past year's state meet, Walsh placed fifth in the 50 Free (24.09) and eighth in the 100 Free (52.61). She will be graduating from Pennsbury High School this month.

According to Skinner, "We are very excited to have Courtney on the team next year. Her swimming background up to this point has been primarily high school, much like the other Walsh on our team now, sophomore-to-be Mason Walsh. Our Walsh-Walsh combination next year could be a deadly one!"

Another Pennsylvania native joining the team next year is Pete Cancila from Broomall. Cancila currently attends Cardinal O'Hara High School, where he will graduate from this spring, and swims for Suburban Swim Club under the direction of Charlie Kennedy. He had a great year of competitions and achieved numerous lifetime bests. He swims the 50 Free (21.29), 100 Free (46.64) and 100 Fly (51.01).

"Coming from Surburban, we know that Pete has developed a good background in all the mental and physical aspects of training and competing as Charlie has produced many great swimmers," Skinner said. "Add this to his still-growing 6-3 frame and feel for the water he is going to be a great swimmer for the Hokies."

Joining Cancila on the men's side is Zac Czaplicki from North Haven, Conn. Czaplicki has enjoyed many successes this season competing for Notre Dame High School, where he will graduate from in June. The Notre Dame team defended its Class L State title, winning it for the second straight year. En route to winning the team title, Czaplicki smashed two Class L records in the 200 IM (1:52.85) by just under three seconds and 100 Free (45.80) by almost half a second in addition to being a member of the record-setting 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.

"Zac was highly recruited prospect by many East Coast schools, so we were ecstatic with his decision to come to Tech next year," Skinner said. "Zac is just beginning to scratch the surface of where his swimming can go. He is talented in so many different events that he is going to make an immediate impact on this team."

Rounding out the 2004 incoming class of athletes and diving program for next season is Daniel McCarthy from Vienna, Va. McCarthy will help add depth to an already strong men's diving squad next season. He had a strong senior season this past year, finishing fourth at the AAA Virginia State High School Championships. McCarthy will graduate from James Madison High School this month.

"We are extremely excited to see Daniel fulfill his potential here at Virginia Tech and compete strongly for us in the ACC," Locklin said.

These athletes that committed to Virginia Tech in the spring will join Jessica Botzum, Beth Byrum, Millie Campbell, Becky Horning, Scott Beard, Jake Bova, Austin Fiehler, Scott Hudson and Kyle Russell, who all signed National Letters of Intent with the Hokies in the fall.