June 5, 2009

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Head coach Rick Simpson announced today that five student-athletes have formally committed to the Villanova men's swimming & diving team. The five swimmers will make up this year's incoming class for the Wildcats, who are expected to have one of their stronger rosters in 2009-10.

"We are excited about both the quality and the quantity of this recruiting class," Simpson said. "We only graduated two seniors this past year and, with the addition of five newcomers, anticipate one of our deepest teams in a number of years."

Below are capsules of each of the five swimmers to sign with Villanova.

Braden Clarke
100 freestyle - 46.14
200 freestyle - 1:43.47
100 backstroke - 51.40
100 butterfly - 52.01

Coach Simpson on Clarke: "Braden had some great drops in time this year as a high school senior. He enters Villanova as one of our top recruits in many years. We expect Braden to be a Big East scorer as a freshman."

Jordan Bickhart
100 backstroke - 54.71
200 backstroke - 1:56.22
100 butterfly - 56.73
200 butterfly - 1:59.71

Coach Simpson on Bickhart: We were very impressed with Jordan's versatility. He comes from a strong training background and will have an impact for us in several events upon his arrival on campus."

Russell Paulson
100 freestyle - 47.93
200 freestyle - 1:44.34
100 butterfly - 55.77

Coach Simpson on Paulson: "Russ is not only an up-and-coming swimmer, but he also brings a great deal of character to the program. He is a stellar student and will encompass the meaning of being a "student-athlete."

Scott Thiede
100 freestyle - 46.63
200 freestyle - 1:42.04
100 breaststroke - 1:00.56

Coach Simpson on Thiede: "Scott continues his family legacy here at Villanova. He is a great sprint and middle distance freestyler and will bolster an already deep 800 freestyle relay."

John Kracke
50 freestyle - 22.55
100 freestyle - 49.04
200 freestyle - 1:47.81

Coach Simpson on Kracke: "John enters Villanova with a highly touted academic and swimming record. He has shown great improvement in a short amount of time and we look for him to continue to develop into a solid Big East student-athlete over the course of his career."