CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State swimming and diving head coach Hannah Burandt has announced the addition of 17 new student-athletes to the program next season.
"We're excited to bring these new student-athletes into our 'One Team One Family,'" said head coach Hannah Burandt. "This is a diverse group from all over the world and we truly feel this group will continue to progress and prosper in our program. These students will continue our teams' rise in the Horizon League, as well as nationally, and we're excited to see them achieve outside of the pool in the classroom and be great representatives of Cleveland State University!"
FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETES
GAIA STERRE MIROTTI
Gaia Sterre Mirotti comes to Cleveland State by way of the Netherlands. A recent graduate of RSG Pantarjin Wagenigen, Mirotti has racked up numerous accolades, which includes multiple Dutch National Youth Champion titles and a Dutch National Youth record in the 4x100 IM. The intended international relations major is a native of Milano, Italy and has swam for ZPC Amersfoort and Nuoto Riccione.
Why Cleveland State?
"The loving and energetic atmosphere of the team is one main reason why I chose Cleveland State. From the first Zoom call I had with the coaches, I already felt part of the Viking family." – Gia Sterre Mirotti
MADISON TAKER
Recent John McCrae Secondary School graduate Madison Taker joins the Green and White as an incoming freshman for this upcoming season. Taker, who was team MVP for four straight years, was also a member of the school's honor roll. The newest Viking swam for Nepean Kanata Barracudas with her main events being 200 fly, 100 fly and the 400/800 free. Although a native of Ottawa, Canada, Taker's favorite professional team is the Cleveland Browns.
Why Cleveland State?
"The coaching staff. In the recruiting process, I spoke with many, many coaches, but never made the same type of connection to other coaches, than I did with the ones here at Cleveland State. I felt like I was looked at as a swimmer, and as a person, rather than looked at as a number, or a time." – Madison Taker
HOLLY WHITE
Liverpool, England, native Holly White comes to Cleveland State by way of Archbishop Blanche High School and the City of Liverpool Swim Club. White has tallied numerous accolades during her high school and club years, including being a five-time English national qualifier, four-time British national qualifier, two-time British Championships qualifier, National Biathlon Champion (2014) and a National short course finalist (2019). The newest member of the Viking family plans to study exercise science.
Why Cleveland State?
"I choose Cleveland State because Cleveland, as a city, reminds me of home. I felt like the team and coaches were the right fit for me and where I would feel the most at home." – Holly White
BROOKE EICHEL
Brooke Eichel joins Coach Hannah Burandt's program as an incoming freshman, having recently graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in Buffalo, New York. Eichel graduated in the top 10% of her class academically, while qualifying for the state meet each year. The Grand Islands, New York, native, competed for the Wings Diving club team and intends to major in sociology.
Why Cleveland State?
"I wanted to come to Cleveland State because it was so clear to me that there's such a fun and healthy team environment. I wanted to be surrounded by people who will push me, but also make a healthy team dynamic and fun atmosphere a top priority as well." – Brooke Eichel
AMANDA PAXSON
Amanda Paxson, a Cincinnati, Ohio, native comes to Cleveland State's swimming and diving program as an incoming freshman who plans on studying biology. A graduate of Ursuline Academy and Blue Ash YMCA club swimming, Paxson was a state qualifier, YMCA national qualifier, and member of her high school's National Honor Society and earned First Honors every year of her high school career.
Why Cleveland State?
"The amazing coaches and the family environment." – Amanda Paxson
MACKENZIE LIPNICK
Recent Oswego High School graduate Mackenzie Lipnick joins the Viking swimming and diving program as an incoming freshman. Lipnick comes to Cleveland State after a decorated high school career, both in and out of the pool, as the Pontiac, Michigan, native was a four-year varsity swimmer, IHSA state qualifier, NCSA qualifier, all-state selection in the 500 freestyle and a member of the Academic Honor Roll. The former Delta Aquatics swimmer intends to study research and technical writing.
Why Cleveland State?
"The amazing coaches, the team atmosphere and the location!" – Mackenzie Lipnick
REAGAN ST. CLAIR
Two-time GCAA Swimmer of the Year Reagan St. Clair comes to the Vikings following a decorated career at Hoover High School. The newest member of the program was a four-year letterman at Hoover, in addition to being named the 2020-21 Star County Swimmer of the Year. St. Clair, whose role model is her sister, intends to study nursing at Cleveland State.
Why Cleveland State?
"The coaching staff was extremely genuine and I love the feeling of being in a city!" – Reagan St. Clair
VALENTINA RENGIFO
Valentina Rengifo comes to Cleveland State as a transfer from Maine. The Rochester Hills, Michigan, native joins the Green and White as a Scholar-Athlete, All-League and All-State swimmer, AP Scholar-Athlete, Scholar of Highest Distinction winner and recipient of the Michigan Seal of Bi-literacy. An alumna of Rochester Adams High School and Utica Shelby Swim Club, Rengifo plans on studying biology at Cleveland State.
Why Cleveland State?
"There's just this great energy from the coaching staff and team, in addition to strong academics and an amazing location." – Valentina Rengifo
GRACE BUTCHER
Grace Butcher returns to her home state of Ohio after beginning her collegiate swimming career at the University of Houston. An Ohio State Champion in the 100 breaststroke, Butcher holds both school and district records in the 100 breaststroke, in addition to being a two-time state championship finalist and runner-up in the 200 breaststroke and 200 IM and 100 butterfly record holder. The newest Viking is a USA Scholastic All-American and NISCA All-American and intends to study criminology.
Why Cleveland State?
"I chose Cleveland State University because of the welcoming team, supportive coaches and beautiful campus."
LAUREN LEWIS
Lauren Lewis joins Cleveland State as a transfer from Washington State University. A native of Woodbury, Minnesota, Lewis attended East Ridge High School where the newest Viking holds the record in the 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, while being a four-year Academic Letter Award winner. Lewis swam club for Riptide, placing 8th at the Futures Championships in the 200 backstroke in 2018. The newest member of the Cleveland State swimming and diving program intends to study criminology.
Why Cleveland State?
"I chose Cleveland State because of the welcome team, supportive coaches and, of course, the beautiful campus!"
MALE STUDENT-ATHLETES
PADDY JOHNSTON
Five-time national champion Paddy Johnston is set to begin his freshman season at Cleveland State this fall. The Belfast, Northern Ireland, native is a recent graduate of Campbell College and has swum for club Ards ASC. Johnston has broken three short-course Irish records, all in butterfly events, and was recently selected to compete at the 2021 LEN European Aquatics Championships. The newest Viking plans on studying general business.
Why Cleveland State?
"The entire University really made me feel special by continuing to reach out and keeping close contact." – Paddy Johnston
CONNOR GREEN
Connor Green comes to Cleveland State University by way of Rutherford B. Hayes High School in Delaware, Ohio. The Columbus, Ohio, native swam for LYST and is a four-time YMCA national qualifier. Green plans on studying mechanical engineering as a Viking.
Why Cleveland State?
"The team culture, the coaches and the area of study were the perfect fit for everything I was looking for in a swim program and university." - Connor Green
ANDREW ARSLANIAN
Former Strongsville High School and SwimUnited swimmer Andrew Arslanian enters his freshman season at Cleveland State. The Cleveland, Ohio, native is a four-time state qualifier on relays, three-year captain of the Mustangs swimming and diving team, GCC All-Conference member and GCC Scholar-Athlete. Arslanian, whose favorite professional sport team is his hometown Cleveland Browns, plans to study exercise science.
Why Cleveland State?
"The culture of the team and the coaches." – Andrew Arslanian
LUKE FAULISI
2019 Athlete of the Year at Benedictine High School Luke Faulisi is set to join Hannah Burandt's swimming and diving program this fall. A native of Euclid, Ohio, the newest Viking is no stranger to the Busbey Natatorium, as his club, Cleveland Area Diving, uses the facility for training. Faulisi plans to study mechanical engineering as a student-athlete at Cleveland State.
Why Cleveland State
"The familiarity with the facility, as well as the incredible coaches and teammates, made Cleveland State an easy choice!" – Luke Faulsi
JACKSON NESTER
Jackson Nester joins the incoming swimming and diving freshman class fresh off of an Olympic Trials appearance. Nester, who hails from Blacksburg, Virginia, is a recent graduate of Carroll County High School where he was a three-time state champion, recorded a fourth-place finish at the spring 2021 NCSA nationals in the 400 IM, in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society. The future electrical engineering major swam for club H2okie Aquatics.
Why Cleveland State?
"I chose Cleveland State because of the awesome coaches and it felt like a place where I could excel both academically and athletically." – Jackson Nester
JOSH MERCHBAKER
Erie, Pennsylvania, native Josh Merchbaker comes to Cleveland State from Cochranton Jr./Sr. High School. The newest member of the Green and White family has achieved both in and out of the pool, accumulating accolades such as four-time YMCA state champion, YMCA national qualifier, PIAA state finalist, National Honor Society member, high school valedictorian and NTMA robotics champion. Merchbaker swam club for the Franklin YMCA Flyers plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.
Why Cleveland State?
"I loved the campus, the location, and the coaching staff." – Josh Merchbaker
COREY VERZAK
Corey Verzak joins the Green and White following a decorated career at Carl Sandburg High School. The Joliet, Illinois, native finished seventh place in the state his senior season and top 12 his junior campaign. In addition, Verzak notched a first place finish at the sectional/conference meet. A diver, whose biggest role model his is father, plans to study criminology at Cleveland State.
Why Cleveland State?
"The coaching staff is incredible and I loved the urban campus feel. Not only is Cleveland State a great place to thrive athletically, but also academically." – Corey Verzak
