June 26, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University head swimming coach Steve Potsklan announced the incoming swimming and diving class for the 2009-10 season today. The class consists of seven female student-athletes and six men. They are Megan McGorry (West Haven, Conn./West Haven (Central Connecticut St.)), Brienne Ryan (New Windsor, N.Y./Cornwall), Alana Biagioli (Kings Park, N.Y./St. Anthony's), Lara Moseley (Coconut Creek, Fla./Pine Crest), Kellie Lyver (Bronx, N.Y./Preston), Samantha Heyman (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield), Brittany Salas (Pasadena, Calif./Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy), Devon Morris (Kirkland, Wash./The Bush School), Thomas Yi (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kalani), Patrick Nowak (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel), David Rowley (Menands, N.Y./Shaker), Nick Lusardi (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield), and Tim Landau-Smith (Havertown, Pa./Havertown).

McGorry, a transfer from Central Connecticut State, helped the Blue Devils to back-to-back NEC Championship in 2008 and 2009. She won the 500 freestyle (4:53.78), the 400 individual medley (4:29.55), and the 1650 freestyle (16:45.96) at the 2009 NEC Championship, setting the conference record in the 1650 freestyle. She was also a part of the winning 200 medley and 800 freestyle relay at the NEC Championship. A two-time NEC Performer of the week during the 2008-09 season, McGorry finished third in the 500 freestyle and tied for fifth in the 400 individual medley at the 2009 ECAC Championship. In 2008, she was named All-NEC at the NEC Championship in the 200 individual medley, and was a part of the NEC champion 200 and 800 freestyle relays. She also made the championship final in the 200 individual medley and the 100 and 200 butterfly. At the 2008 ECAC Championship, she made the championship final in the 500 freestyle and 200 butterfly.

Ryan, a varsity swimmer at Cornwall High School, placed second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 50 freestyle at the 2009 New York State Championship. She has made the U.S. National cuts in the 100 freestyle and the 100 and 200 backstroke events, and made All-American Standards. In the summer, Ryan competes for the King Aquatic Swimming Club.

Lyver, a four-year swimmer at Preston High School, was named team MVP is each of her four seasons at Preston. A member of the Badger Swim Club, she made the cut at Junior Nationals, and was a member of the honor roll at Preston.

Moseley, a member of the varsity swimming team at Pine Crest School since the sixth grade, served as team captain, and earned All-American honors in each of the past two seasons. She is the state record holder in the 200 freestyle relay, and was the recipient of the 2005 Spirit Award. Moseley is also a member of the Coral Springs Swim Club.

Biagioli, a four-year varsity swimmer at St. Anthony's High School, served as team captain and was named MVP. A four-time CHSAA All-State and All-League selection, she was under All-American consideration as a member of the 4x100 freestyle relay team, which finished third in New York State. She ended her career as a member of the school record-setting 200 freestyle and medley relays. Biagioli competed for Team Suffolk in the summer, serving as team captain and was a Sectional Qualifier. Away from the pool, she is a member of the National Honor Society.

Heyman, the sister of former Fordham swimmer Brad Heyman, was a four-year varsity swimmer at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut. She served as team captain her senior year and was a 2008 All-State selection in the 50 freestyle. A two-time All-FCIAC selection (2006 - 200 individual medley; 2007 - 50 freestyle), she earned team MVP honors as a junior. She was listed in the USS CT Swimming Top 16 all four years of high school and is the record holder in the 50 freestyle for the Greenwich Marlin Club. Out of the pool, Heyman was president of the Key Club (Kiwanis).

Salas, a four-year varsity diver at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, was a four-time All-Academic selection for the Mission League. A member of the Trojan Dive Club, she was a Regional, Zone, and National Participant, while being recipient of the California Scholar Federation Math and Physics Awards.

Morris, a graduate of the Bush School, did all his swimming with the Bellevue Swim Club as the Bush School did not have a varsity program. With Bellevue, Morris was a Junior National Qualifier and was a member of the Pacific Northwest Swimming record-breaking 400 freestyle relay team.

Yi, a four-year varsity swimmer at Kalani High School, served as a two-year captain of the team. He set the OIA 100 backstroke record in 2008 and was the state champion in that event in 2009. He was also a seven-time OIA East Champion and a six-time OIA overall champion. Yi also swims for the Kamehameha Swim Club, where he was a sectional qualifier, as well as the short course state high point winner of his age group (age 17-18 ). Away from the pool, Yi graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Nowak, a varsity swimmer at Mt. Carmel High School, served as team captain as a senior, earning Swimmer of the Year honors twice (2008-09). In total, he was a seven-time medalist, earning three in the 200 freestyle (2007-09) and four in the 500 freestyle (2006-09). The 2008 Outstanding Athlete of Year, Nowak was a First Team All-League selection in 2009 and helped Mt. Carmel to CIF Division II Championship in 2007 and 2008. He was also selected to the San Diego Tribune All-Academic team three times (2007-09). In the summer, Nowak swims for Pacific Swim, where he was a medalist in the Junior Olympics in the 400 freestyle (2007, 2008) and 800 freestyle (2007, 2008), as well as a two-time Sectional qualifier and a 2008 Western Zone qualifier.

Rowley, a swimmer from Shaker High School, served as team captain as a senior, earning the sportsmanship award. He had an outstanding junior season, where he was named All-American and a Section II All-Star. He set the Section II record in the 200 medley relay, as well as the school record in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle. Outside the pool, Rowley is a member of the National Honor Society and a four-time scholar-athlete award winner.

Lusardi, a four-year varsity swimmer at Ridgefield High School, served as team captain, earning All-FCIAC and All-State honors. He holds the school mark in the 200 medley relay, and was a two-time Connecticut Swim Scholar Award winner. A Ridgefield Scholar-Athlete, Lusardi also swims for the Ridgefield Aquatic Club, where he was a USS Sectional qualifier, as well as a Senior and State qualifier. Out of the pool, he is a member of the National Honor Society, and was the recipient of the "Service to the Youth" American Cancer Society Award.

Landau-Smith was a four-year varsity diver at Malvern Prep. He received the team's most improved award as a junior. Away from the diving board, he was a member of the Science National Honor Society and the recipient of the music award.