CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University head men's and women's swimming and diving coach Paul Graham announced that 11 student-athletes have committed to join the two programs for the 2017-18 academic year.
"As a staff, our goal was to address the specific needs of each program," Graham said. "Kevin, Kate and Rich were able to identify numerous student-athletes that fit those needs. We are pleased that all of these athletes have decided to become Vikings and continue the excellence of Cleveland State University swimming and diving."
The student-athletes announced as part of this release include seven from Ohio, two from Pennsylvania and one each from Illinois and New York.
Cleveland State Swimming & Diving 2017-18 Recruiting Class
Name Hometown / High School
Incoming Men's Student-Athletes (3)
Matt Akers Westlake, Ohio / Westlake
David Bates Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Hawken School
Patrick Lance Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown Area
Incoming Women's Student-Athletes (8)
Shaw Barney Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North
Dana Bender Hamburg, N.Y. / Hamburg
Blaire Cain New Carlisle, Ohio / Springfield
Alana Cartwright North Ridgeville, Ohio / Magnificat
Erica Henrichsen Sandusky, Ohio / Perkins
Lexie Kostelnik Uniontown, Pa. / Laurel Highlands
Gracyn McQueary Bethel, Ohio / Bethel-Tate
Libby Smith Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake
Matt Akers – Is a four-year diver for Westlake … Placed eighth at states in his junior season to earn all-state honors … Was the district runner-up in 2016 … Won the Southwestern Conference in each of the past two seasons … Dove with Cleveland Area Diving for three years … Finished among the top 20 in his age group in both 1-meter and 3-meter events at the 2016 USA Diving National Zone C Meet … Also has competed in track & field for three seasons … Son of Brian and Susie Akers … Pre-physical and occupational therapy major.
David Bates – Has qualified for the Ohio state championships in the 200 and 500 freestyle in each of his first three high school seasons … Placed among the top six with personal bests in both events at the 2016 state championships, finishing the 200 in 1:43.01 and the 500 in 4:34.63 … Has also swum on the 200 medley and 400 free relays at the state championships, helping his team to multiple top-five finishes … Named an All-News Herald First Team All-Star … Competes with Lake Erie Silver Dolphins on club scene … Ranked as one of the top 30 Ohio recruits in his class according to CollegeSwimming … Also owns career top time of 16:17.37 in the 1650 freestyle … Son of Michael and Michelle Bates.
Why CSU?
I chose CSU because the campus is wonderful and provides perfect academics for me. The opportunities that will be opened up for my future are innumerable. Of course, the swim team was amazing when I visited (I knew right after my visit that I would commit), and I had a blast. The coaches are all great, and I can already tell that I'm going to improve greatly. CSU provides me a great opportunity not only for individual achievements but also team achievements, as I can see a great future with this team.
Patrick Lance – Placed among the top 25 at the 2016 Pennsylvania state championships in both the 100 butterfly and 200 free … Named all-conference first team in each of the past three seasons … Has served as a team captain for Boyertown Area for multiple years … Has competed for multiple seasons with Boyertown YMCA Navy Seals on club scene … Finished sixth in the 2016 YMCA Long Course National Championships in the 50 butterfly (26.02 seconds) … Also was among the top 25 at the same meet in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly … Ranked among the top 25 recruits in his class in Pennsylvania according to CollegeSwimming … Has career top times of 47.45 seconds (100 free), 1:43.28 (200 free) amd 50.68 seconds (100 fly) … Son of Jeff and Janet Lance … Plans to maor in education or criminal justice.
Shaw Barney – Has qualified for state meet in six different events over course of three years … Is a four-time all-conference honoree … Served as a team captain for Plainfield North … Swam with Delta Aquatics on club circuit for nine years … Qualified for the National Club Swimming Association Junior Nationals and competed in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM … Has career top times of 1:05.98 (100 breaststroke), 59.11 seconds (100 backstroke) and 2:09.00 (200 IM) … Earned high honors all four years of high school … Was a member of the National Honor Society … Graduated a semester early from Plainfield North.
Dana Bender – Qualified for the New York state meet in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke in 2015 … Qualified in the 200 IM again in 2016 and also qualified in the 100 butterfly for state championships … Named all-county in three events in her career at Hamburg … Serving as a team captain for the Bulldogs in senior season … Is a member of Star Swimming on club scene … Has career top times of 59.85 seconds (100 backstroke) and 2:10.94 (200 IM) … Was a National Honor Society Secretary at Hamburg and a member of the Finance Academy … Daughter of Robert and Lisa Bender.
Blaire Cain – Is a three-time All-Greater Western Ohio Conference honoree … Has qualified for her district championships in each of the past three years … Competes with the WTRC Sharks on club circuit … Was a member of the WTRC sectional team … Has career top times of 4:48.23 (400 IM) and 5:08.90 (500 freestyle).
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because of the great welcoming team members and coaches, the beautiful campus and the all the great educational and swimming opportunities the school has to offer.
Alana Cartwright – Earned All-Ohio honors after finishing 12th at the 2016 Ohio state championships in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.55) … Was a member of her school's 400 medley relay team that finished sixth in the state and also was among the top 25 at the state championships in the 100 butterfly (58.55) … Competed in the Dolfin Junior National Championships Cup last March and set personal bests in 100 free (53.74) and 200 IM (2:13.68) … Also competes for Lake Shore Swim Club … Also competes in track & field.
Cartwright said:
I could not be prouder to announce my commitment to swim Division I for Cleveland State University! For the indecisive person that I am, I couldn't be more confident in this decision. Thank you to my coaches, family and teammates who have supported me and helped me grow as a person and swimmer over the years. I'm so grateful to have such a phenomenal home and team waiting for me for the next four years!
Erica Henrichsen – Has qualified for the Ohio state diving championships in each of her first three seasons at Perkins and finished among the top eight in both 2015 and 2016 … Won the Northwest Ohio District Championship in 2016 and is the district record-holder … Was the district runner-up in 2015 … Named the Sandusky Bay Conference Outstanding Performer and also is a Conference record-holder … Owns school records and Perkins High School pool records for 6-dive and 11-dive events … Competes with Cleveland Area Diving on club circuit … Has competed in USA Diving Junior Region 5 Championships and USA Diving National Zone C meet … Owns career top scores of 272.10 (6-dive) and 462.50 (11-dive) … Named to the Sandusky Bay Conference All-Academic Team … Is a member of the National Honor Society … Daughter of Marc and Brenda Henrichsen.
Why CSU?
I chose Cleveland State because I felt that it would be the best choice for both my athletic career and my academic career. It has a wonderful facility and great coaches. The city of Cleveland also provides many opportunities for students, and I look forward to calling it my home for four years.
Lexie Kostelnik – Is a three-time state qualifier in the 500 freestyle … Has swam the 200 free twice at Pennsylvania state championships … Also competes with Club Mountaineer … Is a two-time YMCA All-American in the 400 freestyle, the 800 free and 1500 free in long course meters … Ranked as one of the top 50 Pennsylvania recruits in her class by CollegeSwimming.
Why CSU?
I chose CSU because it has an excellent reputation for its nursing courses as well as its Division I swim program. I look forward to being a Viking!
Gracyn McQueary – Named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American … Finished sixth at the 2016 Ohio state championships in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.92) and 12th in the 50 freestyle (24.65) … Won the 100 breaststroke at her Ohio sectional in 2015 and placed fourth in the state championships in 1:05.28 … Competes with Anderson Barracudas at the M.E. Lyons YMCA … Competed in four individual events at the 2016 YMCA Long Course National Championships … Placed fifth in the 50-meter breaststroke (33.72) and 19th in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:15.88) at that YMCA event with new personal bests in both events … Also competed at the 2016 Dolfin Junior National Championships Cup and placed fifth in the 50-yard breaststroke (30.17) … Ranked as one of the top 50 Ohio recruits in her class by CollegeSwimming … Also competed in golf and track & field … Plans to major in biological sciences.
Libby Smith – Qualified for the Ohio state championships in 2016 and was among the top 20 in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.78) … Is a Southwestern Conference champion in the 100 breaststroke … Earned all-region honors … Has broken multiple school records … Helped Avon Lake win first team conference title in 15 years in junior season … Is a USA Swimming Futures qualifier … Competes for Lake Shore Swim Club on club circuit … Finished among the top 20 in 50 breaststroke at 2016 Dolfin Junior National Championship Cup … Owns career top times of 1:05.73 (100 breaststroke) and 2:13.41 (200 IM).
Why CSU?
When I went to visit and meet the team, it just felt right, and I knew that this is where I wanted to be for the next four years. The coaches and everyone on the team made me feel so welcomed and right at home. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a Viking.
