June 29, 2009

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Six student-athletes, including four from the Greater Cleveland area, have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Cleveland State men's swimming and diving program beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.

Slated to join the program are Brad Bielak (North Royalton, Ohio), Alex Cohara (Sagamore Hills, Ohio), Pierre DeWaal (Cape Town, South Africa), Justin Hill (Berea, Ohio), Tony Pavlosky (North Olmsted, Ohio) and Graham Thoresen (McFarland, Wis.).

"This class provides our team with some quality individuals, who should make an immediate impact on the Horizon League both in terms of quality and depth, Director of Competitive Aquatics and head coach Wally Morton said. "The thing I like most about these guys is that they are all gifted students and great people. We should have an exciting year ahead."

Bielak was a state qualifier and an eight-time school record holder at North Royalton H.S. The Foxsports Ohio scholarship award winner and a YMCA National Scholar-Athlete recipient, he was one of the top swimmers in Northeast Ohio last season.

"Brad is one of the top swimmers in Northeast Ohio and should provide immediate depth in the fly and free events," Morton said. "He is an honors student who should be a great example in the classroom as well as in the pool."

Cohara was a standout at St. Edward H.S., advancing to the state finals and winning a district title. The all-time point holder at St. Edward, he is a member of the honor roll and was a USA Swimming Academic All-American.

"Alex has improved significantly in the past year and it shows us that his best swimming is ahead of him," Morton said. "His versatility can potentially impact us in any freestyle event, as well as the IMs."

DeWaal will join the program from Turks Sport Combined School in Cape Town, South Africa where he was a national finalist. An honors student who has achieved a top-five percent ranking in his class, DeWaal represented South Africa in the World Cup competitions.

"Pierre brings international-level experience to the Vikings and we look to him to be a standout in his events in the Horizon League next season," Morton said. "He should also help give us a chance to qualify relays for the NCAAs."

Hill was a state qualifier in the sprints at Berea H.S. and will give the Vikings depth in those events.

"Justin has not been swimming for very long and has a lot of raw potential," Morton said. "We expect him to provide immediate depth in the sprints, and perhaps compete for a relay spot at the end of the season."

Pavlosky, a high school teammate of Cohara's at St. Edward H.S., was a state qualifier and honors student for the Eagles.

"Tony will provide us depth in the mid-distance events," Morton said. "He is yet another outstanding student who will help us both in the pool and the classroom."

Thoresen won a high school Division II state title in the 500 freestyle and was part of state title relay teams in the 200 free and 400 free relays at McFarland H.S. He was a sectional and Grand Prix finalist, as well as a National Honor Society member.

"Graham should excel in our distance program and he should be a major contributor for us at the Horizon League Championships," Morton said. "His versatility will be a great asset."