June 27, 2007
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University head swimming coach Steve Potsklan announced the 2007 men's swimming and diving freshman class today. The class consists of Jeremy Capriglione (Huntersville, N.C./North Mecklenburg), Billy Colton (Washingtonville, N.Y./Washingtonville), Matthew Cordes (Highland Lakes, N.J./Vernon Township), Conor Doherty (Yardley, Pa./La Salle College High School), Robert Gitman (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan E. Wagner), Matthew Grabiak (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial), Austin Iveson (Reno, Nev./Reno), Brian Jucas (Chicago, Ill./Saint Ignatius College Prep), Eric Miller (Ramsey, N.J./Bergen Catholic), Brendan O'Morchoe (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township), Michael Regan, Jr. (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip), Andrew Buemi (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara), and Giuseppe Saffos (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West).
Capriglione, a graduate of North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, North Carolina, was a four-year letterwinner with the swimming squad for the Vikings. He was named to the Charlotte Observer All-Observer Team and the All-Meckleberg First Team in the 200 IM and 200 Free Relay while setting school records in the 200 IM, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay. Capriglione served as a team captain and was named MVP his senior year. Academically, he is a member of the National Honor Society and a Scholastic All-American.
Colton, a graduate of Washingtonville High School in Washingtonville, New York, served as a team captain for the Wizards this past season, winning the Section 9 100 backstroke title. The 2006-07 team MVP holds the school record in the 100 backstroke, 200 IM, 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay. Colton, who was named 2004-05 and 2005-06 Most Dedicated Varsity Swimmer at Washingtonville, joins his sister, Kristin, on the Fordham swimming squad. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Math Honor Society while earning the Scholar Athlete Award from 2003-07.
Cordes, a graduate of Vernon Township High School in Vernon, New Jersey, earned four letters for the Vikings swimming squad. He earned All-Sussex Interscholastic All-League honors and North West New Jersey All-Area accolades in the 100 fly and 200 Medley Relay. Cordes, who received the 2007 John Cocula Student Athlete Scholarship, was a YMCA Short Course National Qualifier in the 100 and 200 butterfly for two years and was a New Jersey State Qualifier in the 100 fly and 200 Medley Relay for three years.
Doherty, a graduate of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, was a four-year letterwinner in swimming, while also competing for the varsity cross country team. He garnered All-Catholic standing at La Salle, while away from the pool, he was a member of the National Honor Society.
Gitman, a graduate of Susan E. Wagner High School on Staten Island, lettered for four years in swimming for the Falcons. He is the New York City record holder in the 100 backstroke and a four-time State Team member. Gitman is a four-time team MVP/Fastest Swimmer Award recipient and holds school records in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyle as well as the 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 IM and all relays. In the classroom, Gitman is an Arista member (top 6% of the senior class).
Grabiak, a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey, lettered for four years with the Dawgs' swimming squad, earning First Team All-Conference honors for three years as well as All-South Jersey honors and being named a Courier Post All-Star as a senior in 2006-07. He helped the team to the 2004 Group II State Championship. Grabiak earned Most Improved Swimmer accolades in 2005 while placing fifth in the Medley Relay Individual States. In 2007, he was a Top 20 Individual States swimmer.
Jucas is a graduate of Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, where he lettered in swimming, water polo and football. A 14-time state qualifier, he earned All-American honors with the 200 Medley Relay squad. Jucas is a two-time All-Catholic pick and a four-time All-Sectional selection.
Iveson, a graduate of Reno High School in Reno, Nevada, was a member of the diving squad for the Huskies from 2003-07. The National Honor Society selection won the Nevada State Championship for two years.
Miller, a graduate of Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey, was a four year letterwinner in swimming for the Crusaders. He earned First Team All-League, All-North Jersey, and All-County accolades in each of his four seasons. In 2004, he was named Newcomer of the Year by the Bergen Record, while earning High School Swimmer of the Year in 2005. In 2006, he placed first in the 50 freestyle event at the New Jersey Junior Olympics. Academically, he was a member of the honor roll throughout high school.
O'Morchoe, a graduate of Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois, swam for four years with the Blue Devil varsity squad. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar.
Regan, a graduate of West Islip High School in West Islip, New York, lettered with the Lions' swim team from 2002-07. He earned All-League honors in the 100 Freestyle, 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay in 2006-07 and All-League accolades in the 200 Free Relay in 2005-06. A National Honor Society member, Regan is also a member of the New York State Business & Marketing Honor Society and is listed in Who's Who.
Buemi, a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, was a four-year varsity swimmer for the Lions. He served as team captain, earing First Team All-Catholic and All-Delaware County honors. He received the "Heart of a Lion" Award, Coaches' Award, and Rookie of the Year honor throughout his career. In addition to swimming, he competed for the varsity cross country and track teams for four years. A National Honor Society member, Buemi is also a part of the National Spanish Honor Society and the Honor Roll.
Saffos, a graduate of Cherry Hill West High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was a four year member of the swimming squad for the Lions. A New Jersey Public A State Champion, he earned Second Team All-South Jersey and First Team All-Conference honors.
