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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech swimming and diving program has signed 10 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012-2013 academic year, head swimming coach Ned Skinner announced Thursday.

“Our fall commitments represent our continued effort in identifying and pursuing the right type of student and athlete for our University,” commented Skinner. “Each swimmer who committed has excelled in both the classroom and pool and has shown great progress within their swimming, which bodes well for their time at Virginia Tech.”

Joe Bonk, a Raleigh, N.C., native, swims for YOTA under the direction of Chad Onken. Bonk has won the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A/2A 100-yard freestyle event the past three years and the 50 free the past two years. He holds the NCHSAA 1A/2A record in the 50 (20.85) and the 100 (45.33). On the YMCA scene, Bonk was the National Champion in the 50, runner-up in the 100 and placed third in the 200 free at this past summer’s National Championship. An Olympic Trial and Senior National qualifier, Bonk will make an immediate impact in the ACC and NCAA with his sprinting abilities, according to Skinner. Bonk is ranked 20^th by Collegeswimming.com and first in the state of North Carolina. Bonk is currently the second-fastest sprinter in this year’s recruiting class and is currently a member of the U.S. National Junior Team.

Skinner on Bonk: “Joe is everything we look for in an elite student-athlete. He is intelligent, talented and is a true student of the sport. We believe he has all the attributes to achieve great things at the highest level.”

Bonk’s Top Times going into his Senior Year:

50 free: 20.34 SCY and (23.45 LCM)

100 Free: 44.20 SCY and (51.22 LCM)

200 Free: 1:38.87 SCY and (1:54.34 LCM)

100 FLY: 50.31 SCY and(55.93 LCM)

William “Evan” Nicely swims for Quest Swimming under the direction of Dudley Duncan. The Chester, Va., native is following in a tradition of Quest swimmers (Jon Huss and Scott Beard) who have been staples for the Virginia Tech swimming and diving program. A very diverse swimmer who has already attained Olympic Trial and multiple Senior National standards, Nicely has a chance to make an immediate impact within the Hokies line-up and within the ACC, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Nicely: “Evan is a tenacious competitor with a work ethic and competitive drive like few others I have ever recruited. He will help the Hokies in a multitude of events.”

Nicely’s Top Times going into his Senior Year:

200 Free: 1:42.86

500 Free: 4:33.58 and (4:06.40 LCM)

1000 Free: 9:21.20 and (8:25.70 LCM)

1650 Free: 15:31.36 and (16:06.55 LCM)

200 Breast 2:05.68 and (2:25.53 LCM)

200 IM: 1:51.15 and (2:08.15 LCM)

400 IM: 3:55.44 and (4:27.71 LCM)

Brian Rothschild swims for Curl Burke Swim Club under the direction of Jeremy Linn, one of the top club programs and coaches in the country. The Chantilly, Va., native has excelled in the limited time he has spent in the water. A Junior National qualifier, Rothschild looks to make an impact with the Hokies in the sprint and IM events.

Skinner on Rothschild: “Brian is physically equipped to be an outstanding swimmer for the Hokies. He improves every time he touches the water and we firmly believe that he will achieve at the ACC and NCAA level.”

Rothschild’s Top Times leading into his Senior Year:

50 Free: 21.30 and (24.48 LCM)

100 Free: 46.29 and (54.55 LCM)

200 Free: 1:40.28

100 Fly: 50.78

200 IM: 1:51.83

400 IM: 4:03.98

Lucas Bureau, a Latrobe, Pa., native, swims for Greater Latrobe High School under the direction of Grey Arrigonie. A multiple event Junior National qualifier, Bureau also excels as a Pennsylvania High School State and YMCA National Finalist for Laurel Highlands YMCA. One of Pennsylvania’s most versatile swimmers, Bureau will develop into a multiple event threat within the ACC, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Bureau: “Lucas has the ability to become a player within the ACC in numerous events. Surrounding him with an elite level environment will only enhance his drive and determination in the sport.”

Bureau’s Top Times leading into his Senior Year:

50 Free: 21.59 SCY and (24.66 LCM)

100 Free: 45.92 SCY and (52.75 LCM)

100 Fly: 49.97 SCY and (57.50 LCM)

100 Breast: 58.68 and (1:08.26 LCM)

200 IM: 1:52.92 SCY and (2:10.05 LCM)

Jason Haney swims for Damien High School and the Claremont Club under the direction of John Ries. The Glendora, Calif., native is a sprint free and backstroke specialist who has achieved multiple Junior National and U.S. Open time standards. He is a C.I.F. finalist placing second (100 free) and seventh (200 free) at last year’s championship. Haney will be a key contributor for the Hokies within the dual meet and championship season, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Haney: “Jason comes from a club program that has a history of swimmers excelling at the next level. He selected Virginia Tech for all the right reasons and we are excited about his future as a Hokie.”

Haney’s Top Times leading into his Senior Year:

50 Free: 21.48 SCY and (24.75 LCM)

100 Free: 46.36 SCY and (53.07 LCM)

200 Free: 1:39.77 SCY and (1:56.65 LCM)

100 Back: 52.91 SCY

200 Back: 1:52.02 SCY

200 IM: 2:13.45 LCM

Drake Becksted, a Oswego, N.Y., native, swims for Oswego High School and Oswego Laker Swim Club under the direction of Josh Lerch. A multiple Junior National qualifier in the sprint and fly events, Becksted is also a seasoned finalist and High School All-American at the New York High School State Swimming Championships. With his raw speed, Becksted will make an immediate impact within the Hokies’ sprints and relays, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Becksted: “Drake has natural speed and coupled with his size and athleticism, we believe the sky is the limit for what he can accomplish. He will immediately impact our sprint crew and relays.”

Becksted’s Top Times leading into his Senior Year:

50 Free: 20.84 SCY and (24.20 LCM)

100 Free: 45.81 SCY and (53.56 LCM)

100 Fly: 50.69 SCY and (58.47 LCM)

Kayla Iverson swims for Quest Swimming under the direction of Dudley Duncan. Just like teammate Evan Nicely, the Moseley, Va., native comes to Hokies from a club that has produced some of Virginia Tech’s finest. An Olympic Trials and multiple Senior and Junior National qualifier, Iverson will make an immediate impact within the Hokies as an individual performer and on relays, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Iverson: “ Kayla is a natural swimmer. She has an incredible feel for the water and will impact the VT program immediately in a multitude of events.”

Iverson’s Top Times leading into her Senior Year:

50 Free: 23.88 SCY

100 Free: 51.84 SCY and (59.04 LCM)

200 Free: 1:51.68 SCY

500 Free: 4:57.27 SCY

100 Fly: 54.88 SCY and (1:03.38 LCM)

200 Fly: 1:59.24 and (2:16.38 LCM)

Gabrielle Bishop, a Suffolk, Va., native, swims for Old Dominion Aquatic Club under the direction of Steve Bialorucki. Bishop has won six state championships and holds three Independent School State records as she earned High School All-American Status. A U.S. Open and multiple Junior National qualifier in the sprint free and backstroke events, Bishop will make an immediate impact within the sprints and the Hokie relays, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Bishop: “We were immediately impressed by Gabrielle’s athleticism. She possesses raw power and strength that we have a history of developing to an elite level.”

Bishop’s Top Times leading into her Senior Year:

50 Free: 23.66 and (26.93 LCM)

100 Free: 51.06 and (57.81 LCM)

200 Free: 1:49.75 and (2:05.66 LCM)

500 Free: 5:03.84 and (4:29.72 LCM)

100 Back: 56.86 and (1:05.25 LCM)

200 Back: 2:04.15

100 Fly: 56.62 and (1:03.50 LCM)

MacKenzie Stewart swims for Port Clinton High School and the Port Clinton Piranhas under the direction of Danny Diaz. The Port Clinton, Ohio native hails from one of the fastest high school swimming states in the country and will add depth in the breast and IM events. She has already proven to be a force in achieving All-America Status (100 breaststroke and 200 IM) and was an Ohio High School state champion (200 IM). Stewart has been a state finalist since her sophomore season. She has swam times that have achieved Junior National standards and is looking forward to a standout senior season, according to Skinner.

Skinner on Stewart: “We were so impressed by Mackenzie when she visited. She has an incredible spirit about her and a true desire for greatness.”

Stewart’s Top Times headed into her Senior Year:

100 Breast: 1:03.77 SCY

200 Breast: 2:19.95 SCY

100 Fly: 57.76 SCY

200 IM: 2:06.33 SCY

Amber Cratsenberg, a Federal Way, Wash., native, swims for Thomas Jefferson High School and Valley Aquatics under the direction of Ted Rychlik. A freestyle specialist, Cratsenberg excels in everything from the 50 up to the 1,000. She has posted times that have achieved U.S. Open and Junior National Time Standards and looks forward to making her mark within the ACC, according to Skinner. This fall Amber became the first woman in Washington history to win state titles in four different freestyle events and she swept the 200 and 500 free at the Washington High School Championships.

Skinner on Cratsenberg: “Amber’s positive demeanor is contagious. She has incredible range and will immediately help the Hokies in any freestyle event.”

Cratsenberg’s top times leading into her Senior Season:

50 Free: 23.57 SCY and (26.79 LCM)

100 Free: 50.78 SCY and (58.40 LCM)

200 Free: 1:50.01 SCY and (2:07.87 LCM)

500 Free: 4:55.86 SCY and (4:27.85 LCM)

1000 Free: 10:17.81 SCY and 9:09.05 LCM)

100 Fly: 57.36 SCY and (1:05.06 LCM)

200 Fly: 2:04.85 SCY

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_SwimDive).