RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College men's and women's swimming and diving programs welcome eight freshmen to the mix this fall. The women's team adds three swimmers, two of which specialize in the breaststroke. Four swimmers and one diver highlight the men's recruiting class.
Head coach Walter Olsewski said, "I am very excited to have these eight individuals joining us this fall. They add tremendous depth to our already strong program."
Women:
Alexandra Hutzler (Miller Place, N.Y.), Audrey Corcoran (West Boyleston, Mass.) and Eileen Blood (Bridgewater, N.J.) join the women's squad looking to make an immediate impact.
Hutzler joins Manhattan, following in her sister Kayla's ('11) footsteps. Kayla captained the women's side her senior year, providing a strong presence in both the breaststroke and individual medley. Alexandra will compete primarily in the breaststroke, but will also be featured in butterfly and individual medley events.
Corcoran also joins the Jasper family as a breaststroke specialist. With the graduation of Vanessa L'Heureux, one of Manhattan's primary breaststroke swimmers, the additions of Hutzler and Corcoran should provide a backbone for the Jaspers in breaststroke events for the next four years.
Blood will serve as a versatile swimmer in the Jaspers distance events. She is expected to compete in any of the 200- to 500-yard freestyle races. Another highly touted recruit, Blood is expected to challenge a number of women's records immediately upon arriving to Riverdale.
Men:
Neil Perry (Elkridge, Md.), Tyler McCloskey (Orangeburg, N.Y.), Elie Kurzum (Washingtonville, N.Y.), Shane Riordan (Leonia, N.J.) and Dan Dixon (Brookfield, Conn.) will provide a boost in a number of events as they enter their freshman campaigns.
Perry will team up with senior captain Ryan Klages to form a fast duo in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events. Although Perry will swim mainly in freestyle events, he will also compete in butterfly races.
McCloskey joins cousin Lance Neuendorf on the squad and will add depth in distance events. McCloskey will swim primarily in the 200- and 400-yard individual medley, and 500-yard freestyle events.
Kurzum rejoins former high school teammate Patricia Colton on the Jaspers squad. Kurzum, like Perry, will swim in sprints, specifically the 50-yard freestyle and butterfly competitions.
Riordan will compete in a variety of events. He will swim in sprint freestyle, butterfly and backstroke races.
Dixon is the lone diver added by Olsewski and the coaching staff for the Class of 2018. He is the first full-time diver on the Manhattan squad in two years. Dixon will compete in both the 1- and 3-meter boards.
Assistant coach Joe Murtha said, "The signing of these eight student athletes allows us a lot of flexibility with lineups as we look to continue our winning tradition."
The Jaspers will open their season in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Monday, Oct. 13, with a meet at Marywood University at 5 p.m.
