UVA Announces New Additions to Swimming and Diving
Story Links
July 2, 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia men’s and women’s head swimming coach Mark Bernardino has announced that 13 women and 11 men have declared their intention to attend UVa and compete in the Cavaliers’ swimming and diving programs. Five women and seven men have signed national letters of intent to attend Virginia. Eight women and four men have accepted offers of admission from UVa.
The women signing letters of intent include Mirjana Bosevska (Skopjie, Macedonia), Katey Danforth (Severn, Md.), Kristen Knudson (Estes Park, Colo.), Cara Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) and Allison Sharp (Newtown, Pa.).
The men signing letters of intent include Jonathan Baird (Nashville, Tenn.), Brian Best (Columbia, Md.), Shaun Crossman (Maitland, Fla.), Evan Taylor (Issaquah, Wash.), Mike Wheeler (Lisbon, Md.), Guy Yimsomruay (Bangkok, Thailand) and Daniel Zurowski (Woodbridge, Va.).
“I believe this large and versatile class puts the future of the Virginia swimming and diving programs in capable hands,” Bernardino said. “Some of these individuals will be great contributors in the immediate future, while others will make their greatest impact a year or so down the road. We have filled depth concerns in areas of weakness and strengthened our men’s and women’s teams across the spectrum of events. This class should be heard from in a positive sense for the next four years.”
Virginia won both the men’s and women’s Atlantic Coast Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in 1999. The UVa women finished 10th at the NCAA Championships and the men finished 14th.
Following is information on each of the swimmers joining the Virginia program:
Women
Danielle Bertrand – Lakeville, Conn. (Deerfield Academy) – 100-butterfly (57.0), Junior National qualifier, New England Prep School Champion.
Mirjana Bosevska – Skopjie, Macedonia (Trinity Prep, Lake Mary, Fla.) – 400-individual medley (4:15), 200-individual medley (2:00), 1650-freestyle (16:12), 500-freestyle (4:47), 200-freestyle (1:49), 200-butterfly (2:01), 200-backstroke (2:01), 200-breaststroke (2:19), won several events at the YMCA National Championships, competed in the 1996 Olympics for Macedonia, finished 14th in the 800-freestyle and 15th in the 400-individual medley at the 1998 World Championships.
Lindsey Crane – Fairport, N.Y. (Fairport High School) – 50-freestyle (23.7), 100-freestyle (52.1), two-time New York State high school champion, Fairport High School’s Athlete of the Year for 1998.
Jessica Collins – Wise, Va. (Baylor Prep) – 100-breaststroke (1:04), 200-breaststroke (2:21).
Katey Danforth – Severn, Md. (Glen Burnie High School) – 400-individual medley (4:22), 200-butterfly (2:05), 500-freestyle (4:55), 1650-freestyle (16:57), Senior National qualifier, multiple Junior National finalist.
Lisa Favreau – Alamo, Calif. (Monte Vista High School) – 100-freestyle (52.2), 200-freestyle (1:52.5), 500-freestyle (5:05), Senior National qualifier.
Annie Gill – Chester, Va. (Lloyd C. Bird High School) – 100-breaststroke, 200-breaststroke, 50-freestyle.
Kristen Knudson – Estes Park, Colo. (Estes Park High School) – 50-freestyle (23.5), 100-freestyle (51.6), Colorado High School champion, valedictorian of her high school class.
Cara Lane – Charlotte, N.C. (Providence High School) – 200-freestyle (1:49), 500-freestyle (4:49), 1000 freestyle (9:45), 200-butterfly (1:58), 1650-freestyle (16:19), 400-individual medley (4:17), member of the 1999 United States World University Games team, finished third in the 1500-freestyle at the U.S. National Meet.
Abby Parker – Akron, Ohio (Firestone High School) – 100-butterfly (57.4), 100-freestyle (52.4), 50-freestyle, valedictorian of her high school class.
Alexandria Rubert – Garden City, N.Y. (Garden City High School) – 500-freestyle (4:55), 1000-freestyle (10:07), 1650-freestyle (17:01), multiple Junior National finalist.
Allison Sharp – Newtown, Pa. (Council Rock High School) – Diver, runner-up in the Pennsylvania High School Championships, finished fourth at the indoor Junior Nationals.
Mia Wood – Villanova, Pa. (Episcopal High School) – 50-freestyle (24.3), 100-freestyle (52.8), 100-backstroke (58.6), Junior National qualifier in 1997 and 1998.
Men
Jonathan Baird – Nashville, Tenn. (Montgomery Bell Academy) – 100-breaststroke (56.0), 200-breaststroke (2:02.2), Junior National finalist, Senior National qualifier.
Brian Best – Columbia, Md. (Wilde Lake High School) – 100-backstroke (50.6), 200-backstroke (1:50), 100-butterfly (49.8), Senior National qualifier, Junior National finalist.
Jack Carrig – Richmond, Va. (Douglas Freeman High School) – 100-butterfly (51.8), 200-butterfly (1:51.4), Junior National finalist.
Shaun Crossman – Maitland, Fla. (Trinity Prep) – 400-individual medley (3:55), 200-individual medley (1:53), 200-butterfly (1:49), 500-freestyle (4:30.5), three-time high school All-American, Senior National qualifier.
Dan DeMarco – Great Neck, N.Y. (Nassau Community College) – 1650-freestyle (15:38), 1000-freestyle (9:18), Senior National scorer.
Gary Sharpe – Virginia Beach, Va. (Norfolk Academy) – 50-freestyle (20.8), Virginia State Champion, Most Valuable Performer at the VSIS Championships.
Evan Taylor – Issaquah, Wash. (Issaquah High School) – 100-butterfly (49.4), 200-butterfly (1:50.5), 400-individual medley (4:01.6), 200-individual medley (1:53), Washington State High School Champion, Senior National qualifier.
Tommy Whanger – Newport News, Va. (Menchville High School) – 200-backstroke, Junior National qualifier.
Mike Wheeler – Lisbon, Md. (McDonough High School) – 200-meter backstroke (2:06), 400-meter freestyle (4:00), 800-meter freestyle (8:15), Senior National qualifier, multiple Junior National finalist.
Guy Yimsomruay – Bangkok, Thailand (Germantown Academy, Dresher, Pa.) – 400-individual medley (3:55), 200-individual medley (1:49), 200-backstroke (1:48), 100-backstroke (50.4), 200-breaststroke (2:05), Senior National finalist, member of Thailand’s team for the 1999 Southeast Asian Games.
Daniel Zurowski – Woodbridge, Va. (Bishop Ireton High School) – 200-butterfly (1:49), 1000-freestyle (9:20), 500-freestyle (4:32), multiple Junior National finalist, Senior National qualifier.