The five-time reigning Ivy League champion Princeton men’s swimming and diving team knows that the rest of the league will be targeting the Tigers this season, so head coach Rob Orr knows that he needs to keep reloading with young talent.
Heach swim coach Rob Orr and assistant coach Mitch Dalton feel good about the eight members of the incoming Class of 2017, who bring both talent and versatility to a roster already loaded with experienced youth.
Anton Lundin
Back, Free • Staffanstorp, Sweden • Polhemskolan
Quick Fact: Swedish National Junior Team member
(*All times converted from Short Course Meters)
100 Back: 49.29*
200 Back: 1:48.00 *
200 Free: 1:40.49 *
500 Free: 4:31.36 *
Why Princeton: The combination of Princeton’s excellent academic standards and great swim team made my choice really easy. Also, assistant coach Mitch Dalton’s recruiting work gave me a very positive picture of the school.
Orr on Lundin
”Anton will be a good addition to our backstroke crew, and a solid replacement for All-America Kaspar Raigla. He is a strong underwater kicker, which is a big component to short course swimming.”
Julian Mackrel
Sprint Free • Woodstock, N.Y. • Kingston
Quick Fact: USA Swimming Junior National finalist in the 50 free
50 Free: 20.36
100 Free: 44.88
200 Free: 1:39.94
100 Fly: 50.44
100 Breast: 57.54
Why Princeton: The sense of community stood out from any other school. The team is incredibly close, and the entire school was very inviting. Between the awesome academics, great coaching staff, and constant support of teammates, I knew Princeton was the place where I would thrive the most.
Orr on Mackrel
“Standing at 6-8, Julian’s height will be a big asset in the sprint events. He is someone who could be a relay contender in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. He has a lot of untapped potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can accomplish while training with our sprinters.”
Nathan Makarewicz
Diving • Salt Lake City, Utah • West
Quick Facts: Four-time Utah state champion in both the 1- and 3-meter diving events … earned All-America honors … placed fifth at two USA Diving Zone meets … Junior Nationals qualifier.
Orr on Makarewicz
“Nathan will be a terrific addition to our diving squad. Year-after-year, Greg Gunn continues to produce some amazing results. We look forward to seeing Nathan grow under Greg’s guidance.”
Joseph Martinez
Distance • Austin, Texas • St. Michael’s Academy
Quick Facts: 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier (400 Free) … USA Swimming Junior National Finalist … four-time Texas State Champion in the 500 Free
500 Free: 4:25.02
1000 Free: 9:31.32
1650 Free: 15:33.04
Why Princeton: I chose Princeton because it was the best of the both the academic and swimming worlds. Also after taking my recruiting trips, the men on Princeton’s team are who I wanted to be most like.
Orr on Martinez
“Joe will bring some needed depth to the distance crew. He is a 2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400 free. He is coming from a great club team, Texas Longhorn Aquatics, which has prepared him perfectly for our program.”
Justin Mehl
Fly, Mid-Distance • Spartanburg, S.C. • St. Joseph’s
Quick Facts: Three-event finalist at 2013 YMCA Nationals, including a third-place finish in the 200 Fly
100 Fly: 49.11
200 Fly: 1:48.82
200 Free: 1:39.42
500 Free: 4:29.79
Why Princeton: I chose Princeton for the strong academics; the committed and dynamic coaching staff; and a strong family-like atmosphere that I found unique, especially in a team as competitive and focused as Princeton.
Orr on Mehl
”The addition of Justin Mehl will continue to strengthen our butterfly and mid-distance events. We originally recruited him for mid-distance freestyle; however, he showed his versatility by making some big strides in the butterfly events this year.”
Lance Rutkin
Distance • Surfside, Fla. • Ft. Lauderdale
Quick Facts: World Championship Qualifier (800 free) … placed 3rd in the 800 free at the 2012 USA Swimming Junior Nationals
200 Free: 1:40.09
500 Free: 4:25.78
1000 Free: 9:16.04
1650 Free: 15:36.68
200 Fly: 1:51.76
Why Princeton: I chose Princeton because the atmosphere is unparalleled, both on the team and on campus. In my short time there I felt that I really connected with the team members and that they were a group with whom I could grow both as a swimmer and as a person. The team is light hearted and relaxed, which is perfect. The campus is simply awe-inspiring and I cannot believe I’ll only have four years there.
Orr on Rutkin
“Lance will be another welcomed addition to our distance crew. He immediately stuck out in the recruiting process as someone who would be a terrific fit for our program. Like his classmates, he had a terrific senior year and will be very competitive in the league.”
Sam Smiddy
IM, Free, Fly • Miami, Fla. • Home Schooled
Quick Facts: 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier (200 IM/400 IM) … World Championship Trials Qualifier (200 IM/400 IM/400 Free) … Florida State 3A champion (100 Fly and 200 IM) … USA Swimming Junior National Finalist
200 IM: 1:50.75
400 IM: 3:55.02
200 Free: 1:40.99
500 Free: 4:31.20
1000 Free: 9:20.62
100 Fly: 50.13
200 Fly: 1:50.26
Why Princeton: Princeton was the perfect fit because of its outstanding academics and its great swim team.
Orr on Smiddy
“Sam’s versatility will be a big asset to us next year. Traditionally he has focused on the long course season, so we are excited to see what he can accomplish during a full short course season at Princeton. He is a 2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 200/400 IM. He will have some strong upperclassmen to race each day at practice which will help him in his development.”
Brett Usinger
Breast, IM • Lafayette, Calif. • Acalanes
Quick Facts: Two-time National Age Group record holder … NCS finalist (100 Breast/200 IM)
100 Breast: 55.92
200 Breast: 2:01.08
200 IM: 1:51.71
Why Princeton: I chose Princeton because I believe it was the best fit for me both in and out of the pool. The swimmers are some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and from day one I knew they would be great teammates. Rob and Mitch clearly have a system in place that works like a charm. Academically, Princeton offers a prestigious education that is hard for any recruit to pass up. The moment I showed up on campus I knew it was the athletic and academic fit for me.
Orr on Usinger
“Brett is entering a very strong breaststroke unit. His addition will allow us to move some of our breaststrokers around in other events, creating greater versatility within our meet lineup. We look forward to seeing him work with our current breaststrokers.”
Jeffery Williamson
Free • Victor, N.Y. • Victor Senior
Quick Facts: New York state record holder in both the 100 and 200 free.
100 Free: 44.73
200 Free: 1:36.82
500 Free: 4:32.97
100 Fly: 50.48
200 IM: 1:51.90
Why Princeton: I chose Princeton because of the excellent combination and balance of academics and athletics. The Princeton swimming program has had incredible success in and out of the pool, and I felt that I connected with the team and coaches. Coach Orr and Coach Dalton bring a wealth of knowledge to the sport and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the program in the future.
Orr on Williamson
“Jeff is another member of this class who had a fantastic senior year. He dropped a significant amount of time in his 100 and 200 freestyle, setting the state record in both events. Jeff is a hard worker who loves to race and swim on relays.”
This is an unedited press release.
Mackrel appears to be the catch of the class given his potential….and Princeton again picks up versatile swimmers who can score in multiple events at conference. Still, I’d say that Harvard’s incoming class is stronger.