July 15, 2003

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure men's swimming coach Sean McNamee has put the finishing touches on another heralded freshman class, three of whom earned high school All-America honors. McNamee signed a total of 10 student-athletes, eight of whom are swimmers and two who are divers.

McNamee expects that Chris Ekimoff (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder), Dan Freeland (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena), Ceyhan Guler (Edime, Turkey/Tallassee [Ala.]), Jared Poniatowski (Erie, Pa./McDowell), James Rankin (Butler Pa./Knoch) and David Schnitzer (Bronxville, N.Y./Fordham Preparatory) will all contribute as rookies.

The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association named Ekimoff, Freeland and Poniatowski High School All-Americans for 2002-03.

Divers Matt Dickinson (Bath, N.Y./Haverling) and Jeff Salgado (Glen Rock, Pa./Southwestern) and swimmers Matt Malone (Cranberry, Pa./Seneca Valley) and Patrick Seastedt (Frewsburg, N.Y./Frewsburg) complete the 10-man class.

"On paper with their physical accomplishments, this could challenge for one of our best recruiting classes ever," McNamee said. "But, the true test will be their willingness to become a part of our team and tradition."

Poniatowski won the 50-freestyle at the 2003 Pennsylvania State Championships in a time of 20.73, a time that ranked 11th best in the country in the 2002-03 season. His senior year, Poniatowski posted victories in the 50 free at every McDowell meet and broke school records in the 50 free and 100 free. The 2003 Erie Metro Swimmer of the Year, Poniatowski was also an All-State selection in water polo. His older brother, Jason, swam for the Bonnies from 1998-2002.

"Jared came on the scene his senior year with his strong performances at the state championship," McNamee said. "He established himself as one of the country's top high school sprinters. His time in the 50 free would have won Atlantic 10 Championship this year."

An All-American selection in the 500 freestyle, Ekimoff finished 11th in the 500 free at the 2003 New York State Championships and finished second in the same event at the 2002 Section V Championships. Ekimoff is a three-time All-Monroe County team member. Over his four years at Webster Schroeder, Ekimoff set school records in the 200 free, 500 free and as a part of two relays. A National Honor Society member, Ekimoff also participated in the USS Speedo Championship.

"Chris will add much-needed quality depth in the middle and long distance events," McNamee said. "Most importantly are his strong character and leadership qualities that he brings."

Freeland's time of 52:26 in the 100 backstroke ranked 57th nationally this past season, earning him All-America status. The 6-foot-4 Rochester native competed in the New York State Championship three times, topped by a third place showing in the 100 back this past season.

"Dan is another tall, strong swimmer who should help us right away," evaluated McNamee. "He's competed at a high level in pressure-packed situations and delivered."

Guler is the final piece of the freshman class, signed this month. A native of Turkey, he comes to St. Bonaventure after one year at Tallassee High School in Alabama, where he was a YMCA All-American. The 6-foot-2 backstroke specialist was a member of the Turkish Junior National Team for three years. McNamee said that Guler has the potential to win A-10 titles in his primary events, the 100 and 200 backstrokes.

"His transition to college should be eased by the fact he has been in the U.S. as an exhange student," McNamee said of Guler. "We graduated two of our top backstrokers, so Ceyhan and his incoming classmates will address that area of need."

Rankin placed 10th in both the 50 and 100 free at the 2003 Pennsylvania State Championship. At the 2003 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League meet, he won gold in the 50 free and finished fourth in the 100 free.

"James is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6," McNamee said. "Even though he has only competed for a short time, we believe he can develop into a major contributor."

Another backstroker, Schnitzer has been a fixture at the New York State Championships. A four-time Westchester County All-Star, Schnitzer led Fordham Prep to a first place finish at the 2003 New York State Catholic Championships. Individually, he finished sixth in the 100 back at the 2003 New York State Federated Championships. Schnitzer also competes for the Badger Swim Club.

"David comes from a renowned club team with a nationally recognized coach in John Collins," McNamee said. "He will add much-needed help in the back events."

St. Bonaventure placed second at the 2003 Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championship. Four swimmers and one diver graduated from that team.