Michigan Adds Seven More to Men's Swimming and Diving Incoming Class
6/5/2019 12:12:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head swimming and diving coach Mike Bottom announced Wednesday (June 5) the additions of Nadav Aaronson (Ramot HaShavim, Israel), Danny Berlitz (Drums, Pennsylvania), Kevin Bradley (East Norwalk, Connecticut), Parker Hughes (Phoenix, Arizona), Nick Leavell (Rancho Santa Margarita, California), Jack McCurdy (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Donald Scott (Keller, Texas) to the team's 2019-20 roster.
"This is another big class that will reinforce and build upon what we already have on deck," said Bottom. "They are all able to contribute in a lot of different events and unquestionably improve our depth as a team. We're looking forward to getting them here and getting to work."
"Nick is a powerhouse diver with a gymnastics background who can contribute in three events immediately, while Kevin is a clean diver who is rapidly improving," added diving coach Mike Hilde. "I'm excited to see where they go once they get in our training environment."
Nadav Aaronson
Backstroke/Butterfly | Ramot HaShavim, Israel (Hapoel Dolphin Netanya)
Aaronson specializes in the sprints across the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly strokes. He graduated high school in 2016 and has served in the Israeli Defense Forces.
TOP TIMES (LCM): 50 BK (22.82), 100 BK (50.54), 50 FL (24.91), 50 FR (23.67)
Danny Berlitz
Distance | Drums, Pa. (Marian Catholic/Parkland Aquatic Club)
Berlitz is a distance swimmer who trains with Parkland Aquatic Club in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He is a fast-improving prospect, having won the 200-yard individual medley (1:47.58) and 500-yard freestyle (4:24.07) at the 2019 PIAA Boys 2A Championships. Berlitz won two titles (400-yard IM, 1650-yard freestyle) and finaled in four other events (50-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard backstroke) at the 2019 Middle Atlantic Senior Short Course Championships. He has also dabbled in open water swimming, finishing fifth in the 5K (1:02:28.1) at the 2017 Open Water Junior National Championships.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 200 IM (1:47.58), 500 FR (4:24.07), 1650 FR (15:23.26), 400 IM (3:53.55)
Kevin Bradley
Diving | East Norwalk, Conn. (Norwalk/Whirlwind Diving)
Bradley dives for Whirlwind Diving. At the 2019 USA Diving Junior Region 2 Championships, he was fourth on one-meter (441.95) and 11th on three-meter (436.10). He qualified for the 2018 USA Diving Junior National Championships, reaching the semifinals on one-meter (25th, 407.95). At the 2018 YMCA National Championships, he was sixth on one-meter (448.10) and seventh on both three-meter (441.85) and platform (362.10).
Parker Hughes
Freestyle | Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy Prep/Scottsdale Aquatic Club)
Hughes is a sprint freestyle swimmer who trains with Scottsdale Aquatic Club. He won the 100-yard freestyle (45.07) and took second in the 50-yard freestyle (20.87) at the AIA Division II State Championships last fall. A two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, he was a three-time finalist (100-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle) at the 2019 Arizona Short Course Senior Open Championships.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 50 FR (20.69), 100 FR (44.97), 100 BK (49.63)
Nick Leavell
Diving | Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic/Mission Viejo Natadores)
Leavell dives for the Mission Viejo Natadores, the old club of current Michigan diving coach Mike Hilde. On the high school circuit, Leavell was the 2019 CIF Southern Section champion on one-meter, scoring 599.55. He qualified for the 2019 CIF State Diving Championships, finishing sixth (494.35). At the 2019 USA Diving Junior Region 12 Championships, he was second on three-meter, third on platform and fourth on one-meter.
Jack McCurdy
Breaststroke/IM | Fort Wayne, Ind. (Carroll/Fort Wayne Swim Team)
McCurdy primarily trains breaststroke for the Fort Wayne Swim Team. He took second in the 100-yard breaststroke (55.19) and fifth in the 200-yard IM (1:50.08) at the 2019 IHSAA State Championships. McCurdy was also a four-time finalist (100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard IM, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle) at the 2019 Indiana Senior State Championships. He is club teammates with fellow incoming freshman Noah Yarian.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 100 BR (55.19), 200 BR (2:00.10), 200 IM (1:50.08), 400 IM (3:56.80)
Donald Scott
Breaststroke | Keller, Texas (Keller Central/Lakeside Aquatic Club)
Scott mainly trains breaststroke but also is a solid mid-distance swimmer. He won the 100-yard breaststroke (55.19) and 200-yard freestyle (1:36.54) at the 2019 UIL Texas 6A State Championships, setting career bests in both events. In long course, he was a two-time finalist at the Speedo Champions Series (College Station), taking eighth in both the 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter IM. Scott is also a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 100 BR (55.19), 200 FR (1:36.54), 200 BR (2:02.56), 100 FR (45.21)
The 2019-20 recruiting class now stands at 12. In November, the program announced the signings of Christian Farricker (Cos Cob, Connecticut), Cam Peel (Spring Lake, Michigan), Andrew Trepanier (Lakeville, Minnesota), River Wright (Attleboro, Massachusetts) and Noah Yarian (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
• Michigan Men's Swimming and Diving Inks Five to NLIs for 2019-20 (11/20/2018)
