North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Men's Swimming/Diving Inks Large Class
6/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
June 24, 2002
Raleigh, N.C.--The NC State men's swimming and diving team received a considerable boost today as Head Coach Brooks Teal announced that 10 swimmers and one diver committed to the Wolfpack during this year's recruiting process. These prospective student-athletes either signed letters of intent or accepted admission to the university beginning in the fall 2002 term. Five of the student-athletes hail from North Carolina, while Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Virginia have one representative each. The Wolfpack also welcomes from one signee from England.
Just as these student-athletes are happy to be members of the Wolfpack, Coach Teal is equally excited to having them come to Raleigh.
"We are all very thrilled about the addition of these exhilarating student-athletes to our Wolfpack family," Teal said. "This is a very talented class that should help us move up considerably in the ACC rankings. Combined with our very young core of returnees, these newcomers should help us shake things up this season."
Robert Terrell, a navtive of Ithaca, New York, is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy and a member of the Mercersburg Swim Club. A seven time high school All-American, Terrell was coached by Pete Williams. Terrell chose NC State over Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Kenyon.
"I decided to go to State because I feel that it is a team on the rise," said Terrell. "The team and the coaches are set on breaking into the top 10 NCAA rankings. This desire creates an atmosphere in which swimmers will push each other to achieve great things. With the class coming in and the swimmers already a part of the Wolfpack, I feel NC State Swimming will reach a new level of excellence in the years to come."
"At 6'8 tall, we are excited to have Rob come in and step things up in the sprint group," said Teal. "He has a huge amount of potential in the backstroke and freestyle events. Look for him to mature into a great swimmer for the Pack."
Seth Hoffman, a native of Cary, N.C., is a graduate of Cary High School. He was also coached by Paul Silver at Marlins of Raleigh. Hoffman was a two-time scholastic All-American and an MVP at Cary High School three years in a row. He chose NC State over Maryland and Virginia Tech.
"I'm looking forward to coming to NC State because the academics are outstanding, the swimming is intense and challenging, the team is amazing, and the Wolfpack are on their way to becoming a power in the ACC," said Hoffman.
"Coach Paul Silver has produced a number of outstanding collegiate athletes," Teal said. "We look for Seth to really turn into a power in the distance events for NC State."
Andy Bauman, a native of Roanoke, Virginia is a native of Cave Spring High School. He was coached at Carter Center Aquatic Marlins by Brent St. Pierre. Bauman was a seven-time high school All-American and won the 100 free, 100 back and 200 back Virginia state championships. He also qualified in seven individual events for the Junior Nationals. Bauman chose NC State over Clemson, Tennessee and Maryland.
"I decided to attend NCSU because I felt right at home with the team," Bauman said. "It is a comfortable environment to be in school-wise, and I felt that I would fit in perfect with the team, too. I also have a lot of faith in what the team goals are for the next few years and want to be a part of their success. I'm very excited to be a member of the Wolfpack and move up to the next level in swimming. I don't believe there is a better place to begin a new chapter of my life than at NC State."
"We are excited to bring Andy into the Wolfpack family next year, said Teal. "Once he has the opportunity to train with a large number of other talented athletes that are hard workers like he is, his times should drop dramatically."
Scott Dettloff, also a Cary, N.C. native, is a graduate of Enloe High School. He was coached at the Raleigh Swim Association by Ed Lower. Dettloff is a nine-time high school All-American and a North Carolina state champion in multiple events. Dettloff chose NC State over Georgia, Rutgers, Ohio State and Northwestern.
"I'm really looking forward to showing the ACC and the NCAA what NC State can do!," said Dettloff.
"Easily one of the most talented swimmers coming out of North Carolina this year, Scott will be heavily relied upon in the fly and sprint free events," Teal said. "Look for Scott to be near the top of the conference standings as a freshman."
Brian Pursley, a native of Colorado Springs, Co., is a junior transfer from the Colorado School of Mines. He was coached at Air Force Academy Falfins by Greg Winslow. Pursley is the 2001 NCAA Division II champion in the 100 breast and finished third in the 200 breast. He chose NC State over North Carolina, South Carolina, LSU and Penn State.
"NC State swimming has all the tools to begin living up to its impressive history," said Pursley. "I believe that the team chemistry and commitment, along with some great leadership from the coaching staff, will quickly place NC State in a position to be a contender in the ACC and to turn some heads on the national level. I chose NC State because I feel I'll be surrounded by people with similar individual and team goals that will go to great lengths to help each other reach them."
"Brian accomplished some great things at the Colorado School of Mines with limited training capabilities," said Teal. "We are excited to have someone of his potential and work ethic to come in and be a huge asset for us in the breaststroke and relay events. We look forward to watching Brian accomplish some of the lofty goals that he has set as a member of the Wolfpack family."
Michael Pallante, a native of Raleigh, N.C., is a graduate of Sanderson High School. He was coached in the Raleigh Swimming Association by Ed Lower. Pallante was third in the state last season in the 200 free and was named all-conference for his performance. He chose NC State over South Carolina, Southern Connecticut, UNC Wilmington, East Carolina and Florida Atlantic.
"North Carolina State University has everything that I was looking for," said Pallante. "The swimmers are a great group of guys and the coaches are great, too. Overall I thought it was the best choice that I could possibly make."
"Coach Lower has done a great job of producing hard working athletes at RSA," Teal said. "Mike could end up being the diamond in the rough of this year's recruiting class. He has only been swimming for 2 years, and with a continuation of his hard work, could end up being a solid scorer for the Pack."
Steven Cowling, a native of Meare, Somerset, England is a recent graduate of The Millfield School. He was coached by Doug Campbell and was the West of England champion in the 50 and 100 backstroke. He chose NC State over Florida State and the University of Arizona.
"The swim team at North Carolina State is hungry for success and so am I," said Cowling. "Together with all the other swimmers, I think we can achieve any goal that we set our minds to and work hard toward. I am positive that we can all work together and support one another in becoming one of the best teams in the ACC and NCAA."
"Steven's brother was an ACC finalist for the Florida State Seminoles," said Teal. I think Steven can be even faster. With hard work and determination he could lead us to some big time swims at the NCAA level."
John Hudson, a native of Wake Forest, N.C., is a graduate of Wake Forest High School. We was also coached at the Raleigh Swim Association by Ed Lower and was a four year letterwinner in swimming and a three year letterwinner in soccer. Hudson chose NC State over East Carolina and UNC Wilmington.
"It's been a dream of mine ever since I was young to swim at North Carolina State University," Hudson said. "My father went there and I've always been a Wolfpack fan. I'm very excited that my dream has come true and I look forward to helping NCSU climb to the top of the ACC and into a powerhouse NCAA team."
"John was the first commitment that we got back in the fall," Teal said. "It is easy to see that he bleeds the red and white of North Carolina State University. With some added strength and continued hard work, John could surprise a few people on what he can accomplish in 2002 and beyond."
Cullen Jones, an Irvington, N.J. native, is a graduate of Saint Benedict's Prep School. He was coached on the New Jersey Gators squad by Lou Petrozziello, Jr. Jones was the Gators team Most Valuable Swimmer several times and became the first St. Benedict swimmer to win an Eastern Championship title. He chose NCSU over Uconn, Rutgers, the University of Denver, and Florida State University.
"After my recruiting trip to NC State, I knew that it was the place for me," said Cullen. "I received such a warm welcome and had such an exciting time in Raleigh. I feel like I can be a major part of the Wolfpack swimming team and represent them well."
"Cullen possesses all of the physical tools to be one of the best sprinters NC State has ever seen," said Teal. "He is a raw talent, and at 6'5 has the frame to contribute big-time in the sprint and fly events for the Wolfpack. Also, look for Cullen to be a solid anchor on the Wolfpack relays of the future."
Rick Scott, a Durham, N.C. native, is a C.E. Jordan High School graduate. He was coached on the Bull City Aquatics squad by Dustin McDaniels. Scott is a Junior National Qualifier and was the NC high school champion in the 100 breast. He also finished seventh in sectionals in the 100 breast. Scott chose NC State over Kenyon, North Carolina and Maryland.
"NC State offered me the best mix of academics and athletics," said Scott. "They are superb at both. Primarily, I wanted to be a part of a school that I could be proud of."
"Rick overcame some very severe health problems this year to drop time in his breaststroke events," Teal said. "Look for him to continue to make drops in his time with consistent training, in and out of the pool."
T.J. Ferguson is a native of Plainfield, Conn. The Planfield High School graduate was coached at Ft. Lauderdale Diving by Tim O'Brien. He finished runner-up in the 2001 Connecticut state high school championships. He chose NC State over Florida State.
"T.J is a very gifted athlete," said NC State diving coach John Candler. "He is an extremely fast somersaulter with a great diving physique. He should be a strong candidate for the ACC finals as a freshman and with increased degree of difficulty, could eventually qualify for the NCAA Championships."
