Men's Swimming and Diving Inks Seven Standouts to NLIs for 2022-23
11/17/2021 4:39:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's swimming and diving program announced the signings of seven prep standouts to National Letters of Intent for the 2022-23 season on Wednesday (Nov. 17). The signees include Lucas Hodgson (Greenwich, Conn.), Ozan Kalafat (Green Bay, Wis.), Matthew Kroll (Concord, N.C.), Jack Luken (Phoenix, Ariz.), Kevin Maas (Holland, Mich.), Tyler Ray (Pinckney, Mich.) and Logan Zucker (Mooresville, N.C.).
"This class is similar to some of our best classes in our history," said head coach Mike Bottom. "We have a great group coming to Michigan ready to get better and embrace the hard work that is necessary to become a champion. We're very excited for them to join us."
Lucas Hodgson | Backstroke/Freestyle | Greenwhich, Conn. (Brunswick School/Chelsea Piers Athletic Club)
Hodgson is a versatile sprint swimmer capable of adding depth in backstroke, sprint freestyle and butterfly. He was a US Open Qualifier and a six-time All-American during his junior campaign (2020-21) and swam at the USA Swimming Futures Championships last summer. During his prep career he has won multiple championships, earned status as YMCA All-American, and helped set the national prep school record in the 400-meter freestyle relay. Hodgson is an honor roll student at Brunswick in addition to being active in several social clubs.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 100 BK (48.75), 100 FR (44.95), 200 FR (1:38.01), 50 FR (20.50)
Ozan Kalafat | Freestyle/Breaststroke | Green Bay, Wis. (Bay Port/Mid Wisconsin Wave Makers)
Kalafat adds more depth to the Wolverines' freestyle and breaststroke group. The Wisconsin native has proven to be one of the top prep swimmers in the state over the last year, taking first in the long course 100 and 200 at the 2020 Wisconsin 18U Winter Championships and following those wins up with first place finishes in the Wisconsin 13 & Over Short Course Championship 500 freestyle and 200 breaststroke in 2021. Kalafat has competed at the YMCA National Swimming Championships (2019), the National Club Swimming Association Championships (2021) and the Summer Junior Nationals (2021).
TOP TIMES (SCY): 200 FR (1:38.0), 100 BR (55.59), 200 BR (2:00.53), 100 FR (45.10)
Matthew Kroll | Breaststroke | Concord, N.C. (Cannon School/SwimMAC Carolina)
Kroll has had a highly-successful career competing primarily in the breaststroke but also freestyle and the IM. He competed in the winter junior nationals from 2018-2020, and took part in the summer junior nationals last year. Kroll is a two-time North Carolina state champion, winning titles in the 100 and 500 breaststroke, setting a new state record in the 100 along the way. He was also on the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams each of the last three seasons. Kroll has been named USA Swimming Scholastic All-American twice during his prep career.
TOP TIMES (LCM): 200 BR (2:17.41), 100 BR (1:03.82), 200 IM (2:13.75), 400 IM (4:45.48)
(SCY) 200 BR (1:58.66), 100 BR (55.09), 200 IM (1:53.42), 400 IM (4:00.87).
Jack Luken | Distance | Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista/Gold Medal Swim Club)
Luken joins the Wolverines after a decorated career in Arizona, winning multiple state championships at Desert Vista. He was a repeat winner of the 500 freestyle after taking the title in 2020, and also won the 200 freestyle and was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay in 2021. Luken was named the AIA Division I Athlete of the Year and hit the All-American cut for his time in the 500 freestyle. He has had a busy 2021 campaign as a whole, qualifying for the Futures Championships, the Speedo Summer Championships, the TYR 18U Spring Cup and the Speedo Summer and Spring Sectionals.
TOP TIMES (LCM): 1500 FR (15:53.55), 800 FR (8:19.15), 400 FR (4:00.12), 200 FR (1:52.53)
Kevin Maas | Freestyle/Breaststroke | Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa/Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics)
Maas gives Michigan another valuable piece to its sprint depth while continuing the pipeline to the west side of the state. The Holland, Mich., native has earned All-American status five times in his first three years at West Ottawa High School, winning the Michigan Division I state title in the 50 freestyle this past spring. Maas has qualified for the Winter Juniors in the 50 free and is a Futures qualifier in the 100 backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 50 FR (20.60), 100 FR (46.38), 100 BR (57.63), 200 IM (1:53.88)
Tyler Ray | Butterfly/Backstroke | Pinckney, Mich. (Pinckney/Club Wolverine)
Ray marks another local prep star choosing to stay close to home, coming from nearby Pinckney, Mich., and swimming for Club Wolverine. He is the reigning Michigan Division III champion in the 100 butterfly and was the runner-up in the 100 backstroke. He finished his junior campaign as a Scholastic All-American as well as an NISCA All-American. Ray also participated in the USA Swimming Futures meet in Huntsville, Ala., in the fall of 2021.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 100 FL (49.23), 100 BK (51.09), 50 FR (20.60), 200 FL (2:41.90)
Logan Zucker | Freestyle/Butterfly | Mooresville, N.C. (Davidson Day School/SwimMAC Carolina)
Zucker comes to Ann Arbor by way of Mooresville, N.C., as one of the top mid-distance swimmers in the class. He is the defending NCISAA DIII state champion in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, having also won the 100 fly as a sophomore in 2020. His other state title was a first-place finish in the 200 IM as a freshman in 2019. Zucker has competed in the Speedo Champions Series as well as the Speedo Sections and Summer Championships.
TOP TIMES (SCY): 400 FR (3:55.59), 200 FR (1:36.79), 200 FL (2:01.83), 400 IM (3:51.62)
