FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2010) - The Nova Southeastern Men's Swimming and Diving Head Coach Hollie Bonewit-Cron announces her recruiting class for the program's inaugural season. Coach Bonewit-Cron is bringing in 16 freshmen and seven transfer student athletes for the programs first season.

"I am excited about the very first class of NSU Swimming & Diving," said Coach Bonewit-Cron. "The men's class will thrive by having both national and international experience that will be vital to their success at the conference and NCAA meets in the first year and beyond."

Nic Howell comes to NSU from Norfolk, Va. where he attended Norfolk Christian School. He was a four year swimmer for the Ambassadors and was named MVP every season. He holds the school record in the 100 meter breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, and individual medley. Howell will be joining fellow Jacksonville native John Michael Hayes. Hayes attended Bishop Kenny Catholic HS where he was an All-First Coast First-Team honoree for two seasons.

Josh Davis and Roberto Duran are two Central Florida athletes who will also begin their collegiate career at NSU. Davis attended Huren HS in Rockledge, Fla. where he finished as a two-time scholastic All-American. Davis was also MVP of the Mitchell Aquatic club team for four straight years. Duran comes from Winter Park HS in Winter Park, Fla. where he placed first in the state in 200 meter individual medley.

Chris Norris is joining the Sharks after four seasons at Lawton Chiles HS in Tallahassee, Fla. Norris was a three time MVP and was named All-Big Bend Swimmer of the Year in his final season. Born in Romania, Eduard Bandi is joining the Sharks by way of Durant HS in Valrico Fl. Bandi was the Captain and MVP of his swim team during his senior year.

Gulf Coast HS alum Nathan Caldwell will join NSU from Naples, Fla. Caldwell swam in the state championships where he placed fourth in the 200 meter freestyle and seventh in the 100 meter breaststroke. Illya Prikhodko comes to NSU after swimming for four years at Freedom HS in Chattanooga, Tenn. There Prikhodka placed fourth in the 100 meter backstroke and fifth in the 100 meter fly at the state championships.

Josh Anderson and Tyler Wilson were teammates at Fort Myers HS in Fort Myers, Fla. and will continue to be at NSU. Anderson was an All-American in the 200 meter medley relay in both his junior and senior seasons. Wilson is a three time All-American who, along with Anderson, won the State Championship in the 200 meter medley relay.

Eric Brothman comes to NSU from Laurel, Md. and was a four year swimmer at DeMatha Catholic HS. Brothman was a First-Team All-County honoree after placing in the top 10 in the 100 meter fly and the 200 meter individual medley at the conference meet. Jonathan Key comes from Biltmore Lakes, N.C. where he was a four year swimmer and Carolina Day School. Key was named All-Conference Swimmer of the Year in his final season and finished his high school career with 11 school records, four conference records, and one county record.

Jim Shelley comes to NSU from Western Albemarle HS in Charlottesville, Va. where he was a four sport athlete. Shelley was the captain of his high school swim team and won the Jefferson District Championship in the 50 meter freestyle his senior year. The final freshman of the group is Esau Simpson who hails from St. Davids, Grenada. Simpson was named Most Outstanding Swimmer while attending Presentation Brothers College.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Darren Rubenchik will begin his collegiate swimming career after competing for the Richmondhill Aquatic Club in Maple, Ontario. Rubenchik left his mark there and is the club record holder in 14 events. Rounding out the freshman class is Michael McKee who hails from Enfield, Conn. McKee swam for the Laurel East Hartford YMCA and was a qualifier and finalist in the Conn. Senior Open.

Coach Bonewit-Cron has seven transfer students joining the team as well, four of which are international students. Armin Hornikel is a Sindelfingen, Germany native who competed in two seasons at the University of South Carolina. At the 2009 SEC Championships Hornikel finished 10th in the 100 meter breaststroke. He also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll twice.

NSU will also be bringing in four juniors from the University of New Orleans in Jonas Grundstrom, William Bunge, Alexander Tarr, and Ashley Dougan. Grundstrom, who originates from Fogersta, Sweden, holds the New Orleans record for the 200 meter fly and the 100 meter freestyle. Bunge placed in the top 16 in the 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle, and the 400 meter individual medley.

Originally from Seattle, Wash, Tarr made the dean's list twice during his time with the Privateers. Dougan is a High Wycombe, England native who swam in three open nationals before attending New Orleans.

Jorge Ospina is the teams only South American native. Born in Lagunillas, Venezuela, Ospina swam for two seasons at the University of the Cumberlands where he was named 2009 NAIA Swimmer of the Year and won the national championship in the 200 meter free style. The final member of the 2010 recruiting class is Cameron Pfahler from Neptune Beach, Fla. Pfahler swam for a single season at the University of Florida after reaching the state finals in the 100 meter breaststroke at Duncan U. Fletcher HS.

The Men's Swimming and Diving Team will begin its first season at home in an intra-squad meet on Sept. 24 at 3 pm.