Cleveland State University head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Paul Graham announced that 13 student-athletes have committed to join the two programs for the 2017-18 academic year.
The student-athletes announced as part of this release include nine from the United States—three from Ohio, three from Pennsylvania and one each from Florida, Michigan and New Mexico. There are also two incoming student-athletes from Poland and one each from France and South Africa.
“It has been so much fun recruiting this year,” Graham said. “The staff has really refined our process, and we are focusing in on the right student-athletes. This group along with the commits in the fall make up a hard-working group that will help the Viking swimming & diving program move forward.”
Eleven of the incoming Vikings will be true freshmen while two transfers will join the men’s program that each have two years of eligibility remaining.
This group of 13 incoming student-athletes will join the 11 that committed earlier this academic year to joining Cleveland State in the fall of 2017.
Cleveland State Swimming & Diving Spring Recruiting Class for 2017-18
Name Hometown / High School (Previous School)
Incoming Men’s Student-Athletes (10)
Alec Bowie Tallahassee, Fla. / Lawton Chiles
Liam Halpin Oakwood, Ohio / Oakwood
Josh Hodges Warren, Mich. / De La Salle Collegiate
Trevor Mahoney McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette
Erwan Mahoudo Alès, France / Lycee Bellevue (Henderson State)
Lee Moffett Albuquerque, N.M. / Sandia
Dominik Niedzialek Lublin, Poland / Mediterranean General
Jack Rice Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mount Lebanon
Ryan Sedlak Westlake, Ohio / Westlake
Jason van der Touw Cape Town, South Africa / Fairmont (Indian River State College)
Incoming Women’s Student-Athletes (3)
Amelia Besterman Sewickley, Pa. / Quaker Valley
Brittan Ham Hudson, Ohio / Hudson
Irena Weclawiak Warsaw, Poland / XVII LO. Im. Andrzeja Frycza-Modrzewskiego
Alec Bowie – Posted top-10 finishes in both the 200 and 500 freestyle at Florida High School Championships this past fall … Helped Chiles win the 2016 3A state championship … Competed with Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club, coached by Terry Maul … Posted a top-15 finish in the 1650 freestyle at the Winter Junior Nationals East, finishing in 15:31.73 … Was a Winter Junior Nationals Qualifier in the 500 freestyle, the 800-meter freestyle and the 1500-meter freestyle … Swam a career-best 4:32.05 at the Winter Junior Nationals East meet in the 500 this past year … Named a 2014-15 scholastic All-American … Named All-Big Bend Area First Team … Ranked as one of the top 30 recruits in Florida in his class by CollegeSwimming.
Why CSU?
Cleveland State was a great fit for me. I liked the enthusiastic team, dedicated coaches and the campus in the city. Looking forward to the next four years at CSU. Go Vikings!
Liam Halpin – … Was among the top 20 in both butterfly events at the 2017 YMCA Short Course National Championships … Notched top-10 finishes in both the 200 butterfly and 400 IM at last year’s YMCA Long Course National meet … Placed fifth in 200 freestyle and seventh in 100 butterfly at Ohio State Championships in 2016 … Finished among the top 10 at Ohio state meet in both the 100 butterfly and 200 IM as a sophomore … Competed with Kettering South YMCA Key squad on club scene … Owns career top times of 1:51.02 (200 butterfly) and 1:42.66 (200 freestyle) … Ranked as one of the top 30 recruits in his class in Ohio by CollegeSwimming.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because of how close the team is to one another and how many opportunities I saw here at Cleveland State.
Josh Hodges – Is a seven-time all-state honoree … Won Macomb County titles in both 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle … Was a qualifier to 2017 National Club Swimming Association meet in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 butterfly and posted a futures cut in the 200 IM … Owns school records in three different relay events … Named an Academic All-American in 2017 and is a four-time all-state academic selection … Served as a team captain for the Pilots … Competed for Utica Shelby Swim Club with coach Erica Zuercher Thomas … Owns career top times of 1:54.75 (200 IM) and 1:45.09 (200 freestyle) … Ranked as one of the top 50 recruits in his class in Michigan by CollegeSwimming.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State for its chemical engineering program and its outstanding DI swim program. I’m proud to be a part of the Vikings in the Horizon League!
Trevor Mahoney – Was a two-time diving medalist at the Pennsylvania state championships, earning all-state honors … Qualified for the state diving championships in each of his four years … Won the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League title in each of the past two seasons with scores of 415.85 and 427.05 … Selected as the Diving MVP by The Almanac twice … Was elected captain three times … Was all-state honorable mention as a sophomore and was the only freshman to compete at the state meet in 2014 … Holds school records in six and 11-dive events … Holds pool records for six-dive scores at multiple local high schools … Also competed with South Park Aquatic Club … Received an academic excellence award for multimedia and a principal’s scholar award in his senior year.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because I believe it gives me the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom and in the pool.
Erwan Mahoudo – Swam on 400 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay teams at this past year’s NCAA Division II Championships … Posted top-four finishes at the 2017 New South Intercollegiate Conference Championships in 500 free, 1650 free and 400 IM … Owns career top times of 1:38.54 (200 freestyle), 4:28.67 (500 freestyle) and 3:57.09 (400 IM) … Was part of the French Junior Team twice … Competed with CNC Alès club … Son of Ernie and Valerie Mahoudo … Has one brother, Titaman … Has two years of eligibility remaining with CSU.
Why CSU?
I chose CSU for its strong program and because the coaches made me feel like I could bring something to the program, and they trusted me since the beginning.
Lee Moffett – Won 2017 New Mexico state championships in both 200 and 500 freestyle in school-record times … Served as a team captain for the Matadors … Competed for Charger Aquatics on the club circuit … Holds club records in 1000 and 1650 freestyle and 800-meter and 1500-meter freestyle … Helped break the state record in the 800 freestyle relay … Has placed among the top eight in Speedo Sectionals … Posted career top times at New Mexico state meet in 200 and 500 freestyle of 1:40.93 and 4:31.24 … Ranked as the top recruit in his class in New Mexico by CollegeSwimming … Has volunteered as a swim coach at Special Olympics for four years … Is a member of the National Honor Society and played in the band at Sandia … Son of Mark and Hollie … Has three younger brothers: Andy, Ben and Danny … Plans to study to be a physical therapist.
Why CSU?
During my visit to Cleveland State University, I fell in love with the city, deeply respected the swim team’s unity and companionship and knew right from the get-go that Cleveland State’s coaches had the abilities to make good swimmers into great ones. I knew that’s where I wanted to spend the next four years.
Dominik Niedzialek – Was a national championship medalist in his junior age groups … Primarily competes in backstroke events.
Why CSU?
CSU gives me the opportunity to continue my swimming career and education on a high level. I’m looking forward to becoming part of the team and working with this coaching staff.
Jack Rice – Qualified for state championships each of the past three years … Won the 50 freestyle in his district championship in his junior season … Posted top-20 finishes at state meet twice in 100 freestyle … Owns career top times of 21.21 (50 freestyle) and 46.87 (100 freestyle) … Competes for Mount Lebanon Aqua Club … Primarily competes in sprint freestyle events and 100 butterfly … Ranked as one of the top 40 recruits in his class in Pennsylvania by CollegeSwimming.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because of the great balance of good academics and a competitive swim team. I really feel like CSU will be able to challenge me, both in the pool and in the classroom.
Ryan Sedlak – Named All-Southwestern Conference First Team this past season … Broke a 35-year-old school record in the 50 freestyle while competing at the Viking Invitational at Busbey Natatorium this past winter … Was a three-year letterwinner for the Demons … Is a sprint freestyler … Was a member of CLE Swimming on club scene.
Why CSU?
My dad went here, and the more I swam at CSU at the bigger meets, the more I started to like it. The campus is also beautiful.
Jason van der Touw – Won four NJCAA national titles this past spring, three as a relay member and also claimed the 50 backstroke … Was the national runner-up in the 200 free in 1:37.63 and also took second in the 500 free and the 200 back at the NJCAA meet this past season … Is the current NJCAA record-holder in the 1000 freestyle … Won five national titles, including three individual first-place finishes, at the NJCAA Championships in 2016, including being a member of the record-breaking 800 free relay team … Claimed 2016 NJCAA titles in 200, 500 and 1000 freestyle … Helped Indian River State win NJCAA team championships in both of his seasons on the team … Posted a time of 4:25.10 in the 500 free during this past season … Swam at the South African Senior Nationals in 2015 and contributed three top-10 finishes, including two top-five finishes, across short course and long course events … Competed with Tygerberg Aquatics on club scene … Named a CSCAA Scholar All-American in 2016 … Has two years of eligibility remaining with CSU.
Why CSU?
I have chosen Cleveland State University for its outstanding swimming program and facilities as well as its reputation for academic excellence. I am very grateful for the opportunity to swim under such enthusiastic coaches and with such a great group of teammates. I am very much looking forward to my future as a Viking.
Amelia Besterman – Qualified in a total of 12 events to Pennsylvania state championships in her four high school seasons … Posted top-16 finishes at state meet in 500 freestyle, 200 IM and 100 butterfly … Was a two-year team captain for the Quakers … Won the 200 IM at the 2017 Midwestern Athletic Conference meet … Also competed for Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club … Primarily swims distance and IM events.
Why CSU?
I chose CSU because of the strong academic programs and impressive swim team. The coaches and swimmers made me feel welcome immediately. The university has state-of-the-art facilities and the urban campus provides numerous resources.
Brittan Ham – Was a two-time state qualifier and three-time all-conference honoree in the 100 backstroke … Named All-Suburban League National Conference First Team in senior season … Swims sprint freestyle events … Also competed for Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team … Named Academic All-Ohio.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because I have progressively fallen more and more in love with the city over the past few years. It has become on the best places to be for medicine and offers so many benefits for its students. When I was on my recruiting trip, it felt like I was at home, and I could really see myself at Cleveland State. I also felt like I was a part of the team already, and I can’t wait to spend the next four years in this amazing city with great teammates and coaches. Go Vikes!
Irena Weclawiak – Was fourth in the 400 freestyle in the Junior Polish Championships and was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay team … Primarily competes in freestyle events … Has competed with UKS Gim92 Ursynow Warszawa.
Why CSU?
I look forward to being a part of the big and awesome team!
News courtesy of Cleveland State Athletics.
