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Duke Swimming & Diving Adds Four For 2009-10
12/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM, N.C. ? Duke swimming and diving head coach Dan Colella recently announced the signing of four student-athletes who will enroll at the university and join the program beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.
Diver Nick McCrory, sprinter Julianne McNamee, backstroke and freestyle specialist Cara Vogel, and freestyle/IM competitor Kate Toth will join the Blue Devils next year ? a group that collectively brings national exposure, All-America recognition, and numerous team and individual titles into the mix.
McCrory made the decision to attend Duke and compete in diving after growing up in nearby Chapel Hill and competing at the club level with current Blue Devil diving coach Drew Johansen. Through three-plus years of prep competition, McCrory has established himself on the national scene and will bring talent and experience to an ever-improving Duke diving squad. He is a three-time All-America, a national champion, a three-time 4A state champion, and a three-time Most Valuable Diver at nearby East Chapel Hill High School. McCrory set overall and meet records at the North Carolina state meet in each of his three years and set a championship record score as a freshman and junior. Competing on the one- and three-meter boards as well as on the platform and in synchronized platform diving, the North Carolina native is a member of the USA Diving National Team and the USA Diving Olympic Medalist Program. He was an Olympic trials qualifier on the three-meter and platform this past year, taking fourth on the platform as he was named a designated replacement athlete for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team.
McCrory on Duke: “I chose to come to Duke because it was the perfect blend of academic and athletic opportunities for me. I'm excited about being able to work with my club coach for the next four years, and to stay in my backyard.”
McNamee comes to Duke as a sprinter out of Dublin, Ohio. A team captain during her current senior campaign, McNamee is a three-time All-America, a four-time All-Ohio selection, and has made three trips to the Ohio state meet in her prep career. Her high school squad won the conference championship in 2006, 2007, and 2008, while capturing the sectional title in 2008. Last season, as a junior, McNamee took fourth at the state meet in the 50 freestyle in a time of 23.73, and ninth in the 100 free in 52.15 ? both earning her All-America status.
McNamee on Duke: “It just felt right. It's hard to explain it, but I just knew as soon as I walked on campus that Duke was the college I was supposed to go to.”
Vogel brings backstroke and freestyle experience out of Hingham, Mass. An All-America selection and a three-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic honoree, Vogel has been a member of a state championship team in each of her four years of high school and was the Massachusetts Swimmer of the Year as a senior. She is an eight-time state champion and competed in the 200 meter backstroke this past summer at the Olympic Trials.
Vogel on Duke: “I liked everything about Duke ? the team, the coaches, the world-class academics, and the beautiful campus.”
Toth specializes in the freestyle and individual medley events, joining the Blue Devils from Madison, N.J. Last season she was a Junior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 freestyle, while capturing the 100 free title at the Eastern Zone Northern Sectional meet. She qualified for Junior Nationals as a sophomore and for the NCSA meet as a freshman. She came in second at Junior Nationals as a member of the 800 freestyle relay.
Toth on Duke: “As soon as I visited the school, I fell in love with it. For me, it had the perfect balance of academics and athletics.”
The foursome will join a Blue Devil squad that graduates a total of nine student-athletes after this season ? five men and four women. The Duke swimming and diving teams will next compete Jan. 10 in a home meet versus Davidson and South Carolina at 1 p.m. in the Taishoff Aquatic Pavilion.
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