Dec. 13, 2010
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist men's and women's swimming and diving programs, under the direction of 34th-year Director of Swimming Larry VanWagner, and associate head coach/diving coach Melanie Bolstad, announced the addition of four student-athletes to the programs for the 2011-12 season. The Red Foxes will add two student-athletes to the men's roster; Jason Ruddy and Nicholas Kostelec, while the women's roster will see two additions as well. Incoming Red Foxes include diver Kimberly Tobias and Greta Leberfinger.
Jason Ruddy - Butterfly, Freestyle, Kingston, N.Y./ Kingston
Ruddy comes to the Red Foxes from Kingston High School in Kingston, N.Y. A current member of the Marist Swim Club, he swam scholastically for the Kingston varsity swim team from seventh through 10th grade. Ruddy has qualified for the NY State Championships in the 100-yd. and 200-yd. freestyles, the 400-yd. freestyle relay, the 500-yd. freestyle, the 200-yd. individual medley and 50-yd. butterfly. He holds school records in 200-yd. freestyle and as a member of the 400-yd. freestyle relay team. He has been with the Marist Swim Club since the spring of 2009, and has qualified for the 2010 NCSA Junior Championships and the 2010 US Swimming Junior Nationals (SCY) in the 200-yd. butterfly.
Van Wagner on Ruddy: "Jason has improved dramatically in his two years with the Marist Swim Club. He is the fastest recruited butterfly swimmer in program history. I believe he will be an immediate contender for MAAC Championships in his freshman year."
Nicholas Kostelec - Backstroke, Freestyle, Rockville Centre, N.Y./ Holy Trinity
Kostelec joins the Red Foxes from Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, N.Y. Throughout his scholastic career, Kostelec has been a consistent qualifier for the New York State Championships. In his four years he has qualified in the 100- and 200-yd. freestyles, the 100-yd. backstroke and an assortment of relays. A Co-MVP at Holy Trinity, he is a four time United States Swimming Speedo Sectionals qualifier. At the club level, he is a current member of the Long Island Express and a former member of the Long Beach Aquatics, where he holds 12 team records.
Van Wagner on Kostelec: "Expectations are high for Nicholas, he will attempt to replace Keith Miller and Josh Sklanka as a member of the sprint core. He will team with Alex Lombardi to represent Marist in sprint freestyle events."
Kimberly Tobias - Diving, San Jose, C.A./Presentation
Tobias makes her way to Marist College via Presentation High School in San Jose, CA. A three-year member of the varsity diving team, she was Freshman of the Year in 2008 and MVP in 2010. A consistent performer, she placed top-20 in Region 10, Zone E, Age Group Nationals and Central Coast Sectional Championships - Northern California events. Her career best is a second place in the West Catholic Athletic League event. She has been a member of the Santa Clara Diving Club since 2007.
Bolstad on Tobias: "We have high expectations for Kimberly. She will come in as our number one [diver]. She will be an immediate contender for the MAAC Championships in her freshman year."
Greta Leberfinger - Breaststroke, Chatham, N.J./ Chatham
Leberfinger comes to the Red Foxes from Chatham High School in Chatham, N.J. The holder of three high school team records, she is the captain of the varsity swim team. During her career, she has helped her team win conference and county titles three consecutive years. Leberfinger is a five-time YMCA National qualifier at the club level as a member of the Somerset Hills YMCA.
Van Wagner on Leberfinger: "Greta will come in as a highly competitive backup behind Kate Larkin, the reigning 200-yd. MAAC breaststroke champ. We expect her to immediately become one of the best breaststrokers in the conference."
Marist will return to the pool for its next competition on Saturday, Jan. 8. The Red Foxes will host Lehigh in a dual meet which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the McCann Center Natatorium.
