BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech men's swimming and diving team has announced the signing of eight swimmers to national letters of intent for the 2008-09 academic year.

Matthew Baumler is from Williamsburg, Va., and is a student at Lafayette High School. Baumler comes to Virginia Tech as a Virginia state champion, high school All-American, multiple time all-district member and an Eastern Zone Sectional Champion. With top times of 50.81 and 1:53.66 in the butterfly, 51.75 in the backstroke and 21.92, 47.26, 1:43.00 in the freestyles, he will immediately play an important role in the H₂Okies' quest for an ACC title. As a multiple time Academic Honor Roll member, Baumler looks to make waves in and out of the pool. He is a member of the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins under the direction of coach Steve Griffin. Having lineage at Virginia Tech, Baumler chose the Hokies over Clemson, Maryland, NC State and East Carolina.

"We are very excited about having Matt join us," Virginia Tech men's swimming head coach Ned Skinner said. "Having had Matt in our Fighting Gobbler Swim Camp over the years, I have seen his pure athleticism first hand. Match that with his great size and he will continue to develop into a champion. I believe he will be the consummate team swimmer as he already bleeds maroon and orange."

Nevin Cook, a native of Catlett, Va., comes to Virginia Tech from Seton Catholic of Warrenton, Va., and has top times of 56.70 and 2:04.61 in the breaststrokes, 1:51.87 and 3:59.76 in the individual medleys and 52.79 and 1:53.42 in the backstroke events. Cook has earned Multiple All-American honors en route to being named Virginia High School Swimmer of the year in 2007 for independent schools. Swimming under coach Mike Yearwood at QDD and for the Seton Conquistadores under Jim Koehr, Cook is a multiple state champion and junior national qualifier. One of the best from Virginia, Cook chose the Hokies over Virginia and Notre Dame.

"Having Nevin join our program excites us tremendously," Skinner said. "Nevin will immediately impact the Hokies in the breaststroke and the individual medleys all season long. We had a goal in finding true talent in the breaststroke and IM events and feel Nevin fills that search more than perfectly. We look forward to seeing him race in a Hokies cap next fall."

Charlie Higgins, from Weddington, N.C., comes to Virginia Tech from the well known Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, NC. Swimming under Russ Kasl and David Marsh, Higgins brings speed and versatility to the Hokies. Higgins, attending Charlotte Latin School, brings top times of 21.14, 46.14, 1:40.96 in freestyle, 50.26 in backstroke and 50.96 in the butterfly. Higgins was a two-time All-Observer selection, was two-time NCISAA 3A individual champ last season and has earned All-Mecklenburg six times in various events. Higgins chose the Hokies over North Carolina, Louisville, Florida State and Indiana.

"The Hokies signed a great one when Charlie Higgins joined us," Skinner said. "Charlie is improving dramatically in his backstroke and butterfly events and continues to excel in his underwater kicking. He will also provide more fire power in our strong sprint program and be a key player on relays. We hope to see Charlie break some records in a VT cap, but he may be underwater most of the time."

Daniel Flynn, a native of North Wildwood, N.J., comes to Virginia Tech from Wildwood Catholic High School and swims under John McGrody for the Wildwood Crest Dolphins. Multiple time Junior National Finalist, NJ All-State member and All-American, Flynn brings top times of 51.65, 1:49.71 in the backstroke, 58.48, 2:06.64 in the breaststroke, and 1:52.04, 3:58.59 in the individual medleys to the Hokies. Nominated to attend the Congressional Student Leadership Conference, Flynn will also excel in the classroom as he was once selected to attend John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Flynn holds five school records for Wildwood Catholic and two meet records in the Cape Atlantic League and chose the Hokies over Maryland, South Carolina and Florida State.

"Daniel brings total versatility to the H₂Okies," Skinner stated. "Daniel is one that flew below the radar most of the fall and we are lucky that he will be with us next fall. We feel his future will see tremendous success, especially when he starts to specialize more. Look out for Daniel as a freshmen for the Hokies."

Philip LaRosa, from Manassas, Va., comes to Virginia Tech from Osbourn High School. LaRosa swims under Mike Yearwood at QDD and Don Bogen at Osbourn. LaRosa is a multiple time qualifier for nationals, junior nationals and the U.S. Open and has also been named Scholastic All-American. With top distance freestyle times of 1:44.34, 4:32.45, 9:21.07, 15:44.88 and 1:55.24 and 4:01.71 in the individual medleys, LaRosa is a multiple time Virginia Northwest Regional Champion. LaRosa chose Virginia Tech over Virginia.

"We are thrilled to have Philip join our distance crew," Skinner said. "Philip is coming off a great fall season and we feel he is just getting warmed up. He carries a high work ethic and is not afraid to train. We feel he will bring our distance program to a new level, one that will be competitive with any in the ACC. He has great spirit and enthusiasm and the current H₂Okies will love having him in the pool."

Justin Litz, hailing from Mechanicsville, Va., comes to the Hokies from Geoff Brown and his well renowned Nova team. Litz, a student at Atlee High School, is a multiple time district champion and was named most valuable swimmer his freshman year. Litz, a junior national qualifier, brings top times of 4:38.97, 9:35.80 and 16:02.87 in the distance freestyles as well as a 4:07.89 in the 400 IM. With maroon and orange running in the family, Litz also excels in open water swimming. Litz has placed in the top 10 in multiple open water contests this past year. Litz chose the Hokies over Navy and Ohio State.

"We are excited to have Justin join us next fall. He is steadily improving each time he hits the water and his best is yet to come," Skinner stated. "With great size and great work ethic, he will quickly rise within the ACC and lead us in his events. He comes from a proven club team with great success and it has prepared Justin to be great in college."

Blake Trabuchi-Downey from Vineland, N.J., swims for Matt Sprang and GCIT as well as Jon Stinson and St. Augustine College Prep. Blake, a senior national qualifier and All-State team member, was the New Jersey State Champion in the 100 Butterfly this year. Blake brings top times of 1:42.35, 4:33.14, 9:26.13 and 15:55.80 in the distance freestyle events and 50.90 and 1:49.62 in the butterfly events. Having been a recipient of the highest average in Honors American Literature and Grammar and Composition, Blake is also a member of the National Honor Society, the National Latin Honors Society and is a Presidents' Honor Student. Blake chose the Hokies over NC State, Pittsburgh, Clemson and Virginia.

"The H₂Okies added another great flyer in Blake," Skinner said. "Blake comes in as one of the nation's top 200 flyers and he will also add strength to our rising mid-range and distance freestyle group. He comes from an athletic family and his improvement over the last two years is evident of his promising future. Blake will play a vital role for our program as he has great range in the freestyle events and gives us a good one-two punch in the 200 butterfly. We are happy to have him on our side come meet time."

Bryan Uncur comes from Chesapeake, Va., and swims for Shaun Anderson at Tidewater Aquatic Club and attends Hickory High School, where he swims under Kristen Kirkman. Uncur, a high school MVP and Scholastic All-American, brings top times in the distance freestyles of 1:41.91, 4:36.06, 9:30.03 and 15:54.61. Being named to the All-Metropolitan Swimming Team, Uncur has been named MVP for both Tidewater Aquatic Club and Hickory High School en route to being a multiple time Virginia state champion and record holder.

"Bryan will fit into the Hokie Nation perfectly," Skinner said. "Bryan comes from a team that historically does well in the Hokie program and we are happy to have him with us next fall. He concludes a great young class of distance freestylers that will train well together. Bryan is just hitting his potential and is no where near being done. With his great size, Bryan will prove to be a great asset in the all events of freestyle. We look forward to seeing Bryan get his name on the record boards."