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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech swimming and diving program has signed nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012-2013 academic year, head swimming coach Ned Skinner announced Friday. Wil Coor, Evan Naff and Logan Stevens will join the men’s squad, while Katie Gillespie, Natalee Roseberry, Holland Harper, Alaina Brown, Lauren Buckworth and Natalie Cronk will be added to the female roster.

Wil Coor, a native from Richmond, Va., swims under the direction of Geoff Brown at NOVA Aquatics. Coor is a junior national qualifier and will play a big role within the Tech sprint program.

Skinner on Coor: “Wil will add a great element to our rising sprint program here at Virginia Tech. He has a great frame, which will only add to great strength gains overtime. He will become a key contributor for the H₂Okies in individual and relay events during his time in Hokie Nation.”

Coor’s Top Times:

50 Free: 20.97

100 Free: 45.60

200 Free: 1:41.48

500 Free: 4:36.26

100 Fly: 50.66

Evan Naff swims for Lifetime Aquatic’s under the direction of Rebecca Sturdy. The Marion, Va., native is a junior national qualifier and won two high school championship titles in the 100 and 200 freestyle this past year. Naff will be a factor as the H₂Okies continue to strengthen their mid-distance freestyle events.

Skinner on Naff: “We were very excited that the Naff family picked Virginia Tech. Evan has every tool to be a great swimmer for the H₂Okies and in the ACC. Our staff believes once surrounded by an elite level training group, Evan will evolve into an ACC threat and be a key contributor to Tech’s sprint and middle distance groups.”

Naff’s Top Times:

50 Free: 21.73

100 Free: 45.74

200 Free: 1:39.80

100 Fly: 52.16

Logan Stevens, a Taylor Mill, Ky., native, dives for Redhawk Diving Academy under the direction of KongRong Li. This year Stevens finished second at the Kentucky High School State Diving Championship and qualified for his first Senior National Championship, as he has been a staple on the junior national scene on the 1-meter and platform.

Head Diving Coach Ron Piemonte on Stevens: "I feel that Logan will be a great addition to the H₂Okie diving squad. He possesses a lot of skill on all levels, and I feel that as his strength training develops, he will be able to improve even more on his technique and increase his difficulty. I am really looking forward to working with him, and I know he has the dedication, work ethic, and attitude to be an integral part of our team.”

Katie Gillespie swims for the YMCA of Burlington County. The Audubon, N.J., native came to the H₂Okies after having a breakthrough mid-season meet where she attained multiple junior national cut times. A YMCA National finalist, Gillespie will be an infusion the backstroke and buttlerfly departments for Tech.

Skinner on Gillespie: “Every time Katie hit the water this past year she kept getting faster and faster. She has the drive to be great and that is what attracted us to her. She will add great depth and excitement not only at meets but to the Tech training environment.”

Gillespie’s Top Times:

100 Free: 52.57

200 Free: 1:53.60

100 Back: 55.83

200 Back: 2:00.12

100 Fly: 56.84

200 Fly: 2:02.85

Natalee Roseberry, a Dublin, Va., native, swims under the direction of Scott Baldwin for H₂Okie Aquatics. Roseberry burst on the scene this past year winning a high school state championship and qualified for winter and junior nationals.

Skinner on Roseberry: “Growing up around the Blacksburg area, Natalee has been engulfed with Hokie fever. She is a very raw talent who through consistency will become a major player for the H₂Okies for years to come.

Roseberry’s Top Times:

50 Free: 23.96

100 Free: 51.81

200 Free: 1:53.67

100 Back: 56.20

Holland Harper swims for the Doug Fonder Virginia Gators. The Charlottesville, Va., native is a multiple senior national qualifier in the backstroke and butterfly events. She also excels in the sprint freestyle department, which will help the H₂Okies in relays.

Skinner on Harper: “Our staff was very impressed by Holly on her recruiting trip. She is a student of the sport and knows exactly what it takes to be great. Holly is very diverse and will be a key contributor for Tech during the dual meet season and at the ACC level.”

Harper’s Top Times

50 Free: 23.70

100 Free: 51.83

200 Free: 1:53.14

100 Back: 55.19

200 Back: 2:00.06

100 Fly: 56.10

200 IM: 2:05.14

Alaina Brown, a transfer from the University of Richmond, swims under the guidance of her father, Geoff Brown, and NOVA Aquatics. One of the top athletes in last year’s class, Alaina will be a key contributor in the distance group.

Skinner on Brown: “We are very excited about Alaina joining the H₂Okie family and our distance crew. Her father Geoff is an elite club coach in our sport and we’re thrilled to have the Brown’s join our Tech family.”

Brown’s Top Times:

100 Free: 51.68

200 Free: 1:49.69

500 Free: 4:49.11

1000 Free: 9:47.21

1650 Free: 16:31.82

200 Back: 1:59.76

200 IM: 2:04.50

400 IM: 4:21.52

Lauren Buckworth, a Cedar Grove, N.J., native, competes under the direction of Kit Ashenfelter at Cougar Aquatics. Buckworth excels in multiple events and holds both national and U.S. Open time standards.

Skinner on Buckworth: “We were extremely impressed with how bright and driven Lauren is in becoming a contributor for the H₂Okies. She fell in love with Hokie Nation once she stepped foot on campus. Our staff is very excited about her potential and feel she will excel in our mid-distance and fly program.

Buckworth’s Top Times:

100 Free: 52.79

200 Free: 1:51.89

500 Free: 4:59.58

100 Fly: 56.97

200 Fly: 2:05.13

200 IM: 2:05.94

400 IM: 4:24.81

Natalie Cronk hails from Crozet, Va., and swims for Don Remaly at Piedmont Family YMCA. Cronk is a YMCA finalist who has posted both junior and senior national standards in the IM events.

Skinner on Cronk: “Natalie has the focus and desire to be great as we have witnessed that this past year. We have been very impressed by her goal-setting ability and achievements. These traits will only help her be a staple and key element in the H₂Okie line-up.”

Cronk’s Top Times:

100 Free: 52.70

200 Free: 1:53.41

100 Fly: 56.99

200 IM: 2:03.26

400 IM: 4:24.52

These nine student-athletes will join Joe Bonk (Raleigh, N.C. / YOTA), William Evan Nicely (Chester, Va. / Quest Swimming), Lucas Bureau (Latrobe, Pa. / Great Latrobe), Brian Rothschild (Chantilly, Va. / Curl Burke), Jason Haney (Glendora, Calif. / The Claremont Club), Drake Becksted (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego Laker Swim Club), Kayla Iverson (Moseley, Va. / Quest Swimming), Gabrielle Bishop (Suffolk, Va. / Old Dominion Aquatic Club), Mackenzie Stewart (Port Clinton, Ohio / Port Clinton) and Amber Cratsenberg (Federal Way, Wash. / Valley Aquatics) at Tech this fall.

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