WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University head swimming coach Matt Nunnally announced the addition of 13 student-athletes for the 2018-19 season. The Hawks will welcome 18 total newcomers for the fall semester after signing five swimmers this past November.

"We are very excited to welcome this new group of athletes to the swimming program at Monmouth," head coach Matt Nunnally said. "I expect they will make an immediate positive impact on the program both in the classroom and the pool. The depth of talent in this group is undeniable and will strengthen the team in both the dual meet season as well as the MAAC Championships. I look forward to watching them achieve great things during their time at Monmouth."

2018-19 Newcomers

NAME: Kirsten Brasch
POSITION: Free / Fly
HOMETOWN: Warminster, PA
HIGH SCHOOL: William Tennent

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle and butterfly at William Tennent High School for coach Jamie Forlini … served as team captain as a junior and senior … two-time First Team All-Conference selection … two time Third Team All-Conference choice … named team MVP three times … personal best times include 25.87 in the 50-yard freestyle, 56.17 in the 100 free, 1:58.96 in the 200 free, 5:20.91 in the 500 free and 1:01.00 in the 100 Fly … competed for the Central Bucks Swim Team where she was also a team captain … member of the National Honor Society and My Alpha Theta … Distinguished Honors and First Honors student.

Personal: Daughter of Lori and Jack Brasch … plans to major in Biology.

NAME: Alyssa Cherubino
POSITION: Fly / Back
HOMETOWN: Cinnaminson, NJ
HIGH SCHOOL: Cinnaminson

Before Monmouth: Competed in the butterfly and backstroke at Cinnaminson High School for coach Dave Schroeder … personal best times include 25.76 in the 50-yard freestyle, 55.80 in the 100 free, 1:02.63 in the 100 back and 1:00.82 in the 100 Fly … competed for the YBCC Swim Team … Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Susan and Jim Cherubino … plans to major in Biology.

NAME: Marisa Martinez
POSITION: Free / Back / Fly
HOMETOWN: Point Lookout, NY
HIGH SCHOOL: Kellenberg Memorial

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly at Kellenberg Memorial High School for coach Erin Ronan … earned team MVP honors three times … competed for the Long Island Aquatic Club … member of the National Honor Society and My Alpha Theta … Distinguished Honors and First Honors student.

Personal: Daughter of Gina and John Martinez … plans to major in Social Work.

NAME: Erin Ryan
POSITION: Free / Breast
HOMETOWN: Cary, NC
HIGH SCHOOL: Cary

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle and breaststroke at Cary High School for coach Michael Rosenberg … personal best times include 11:19.18 in the 1000-yard freestyle, 19:47.19 in the 1650 free, 1:22.08 in the 100 breast, 2:36.17 in the 200 breast and 4:55.58 in the 400 IM … competed for the Marlins of Raleigh … Academic All-Conference all four years of high school and member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Daughter of Debra & Shawn Ryan … plans to major in Health Studies.

NAME: Dylan Barkhuizen
POSITION: Free / Fly
HOMETOWN: Pretoria, South Africa
HIGH SCHOOL: Cornwall Hill College

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle and butterfly at Cornwall Hill College … competed for the Tuks Swim Team … coached by Rocco Meiring and Linda De Jager … also competed in Rugby.

Personal: Son of Brenda Barkhuizen … plans to major in Business.

NAME: Kevin Del Giorno
POSITION: Back / Fly / Free
HOMETOWN: Medford Lakes, NJ
HIGH SCHOOL: Shawnee

Before Monmouth: Competed in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle at Shawnee High School for coach Eric O'Neill … four-year varsity letterwinner and team captain as a senior … three-time New Jersey state qualifier … earned Third Team All-South Jersey honors in the 50 free as a senior … Second Team All-Conference in the 100 back as a sophomore … qualified for junior nationals and sectionals in the back and free … holds Shawnee High School record in the 400 free relay … personal best times include 21.74 in the 50-yard freestyle, 47.68 in the 100 free, 52.67 in the 100 back and 53.37 in the 100 fly … competed for the Medford Wave Swim Team … Principal's List and Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Kathy & Roger Del Giorno … plans to major in Business.

NAME: Nate Heisey
POSITION: Breast / IM
HOMETOWN: East Petersburg, PA
HIGH SCHOOL: Hempfield

Before Monmouth: Competed in the breaststroke and IM at Hempfield High School for coach Brittany Bertoli … four-year varsity letterwinner … Lancaster-Lebanon All League selection and All-State Honorable Mention … PIAA State qualifier and PIAA District 3 medalist six times … personal best times include 59.45 in the 100-yard breaststroke, 2:12.93 in the 200 breast, 1:58.42 in the 200 IM and 48.99 in the 100 free … team won three Lancaster Lebanon Section Championships and three League titles … team also won the 2016 PIAA District 3 Boys AAA champions … competed for the Five Star Swim Club … Academic All-American and Superior Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Kelly Heisey … plans to major in Business.

NAME: Will Lukens
POSITION: Free / Fly / Back
HOMETOWN: Mantua, NJ
HIGH SCHOOL: Clearview Regional

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke at Clearview Regional High School for coach Lisa Marandola … four-year varsity letterwinner … earned Second Team All-South Jersey honors in the 200 free as a senior … First Team All-Conference in the 100 fly in 2017 and 2018 … two-time Second Team All-Conference (400 free relay, 200 free relay, 100 back) … personal best times include 22.05 in the 50-yard freestyle, 47.47 in the 100 free, 1:42.42 in the 200 free, 4:46.34 in the 500 free, 53.25 in the 100 fly and 55.31 in the 100 back … earned the R.W. Mills Post 452 Outstanding Athletic Award in 2017-18.

Personal: Son of Eileen Lukens … plans to major in Business.

NAME: Luke McDonald
POSITION: Free / Fly
HOMETOWN: Brielle, NJ
HIGH SCHOOL: Manasquan

Before Monmouth: Competed in the freestyle and butterfly at Manasquan High School for coach Craig Murin … First Team All-Shore Conference in the 200 free relay as a senior … team won 2017-2018 Boys Swimming Central Group B Championship … team held a 47-0 regular season record … personal best times include 22.95 in the 50-yard freestyle, 50.20 in the 100 free, 59.27 in the 100 back, 1:06.06 in the 100 breast and 53.70 in the 100 Fly … competed for the Tac Riptide Swim Team.

Personal: Son of Lisa Finan and Edward McDonald … major is undecided.

NAME: Jack Rogers
POSITION: Breast / IM
HOMETOWN: Virginia Beach, VA
HIGH SCHOOL: Frank W. Cox

Before Monmouth: Competed in the breaststroke and IM at Frank W. Cox High School for coach Sarah Pierce … four-year varsity letterwinner … named to the Conference and Regional Team all four years of high school …. All-State Team choice on three occasions … held a spot on the A relay as a junior and senior (200 medley) … Speedo Sectionals qualifier … high school team won conference and regional titles all four years … personal best times include 1:00.66 in the 100  breast, 2:12.04 in the 200 breast, 1:59.82 in the 200 IM, 4:19.02 in the 400 IM and 54.03 in the 100 back … competed for TIDE Swimming … Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Laurie and Deane Rogers … major is undecided.

NAME: Callan Smith
POSITION: Back
HOMETOWN: Hillarys, Australia
HIGH SCHOOL: St. Marks Anglican

Before Monmouth: Competed in the backstroke and freestyle at St. Marks Anglican Community School for coach Bud McAllister… All-State Team all four years of high school … three-time National Finalist … personal best times include 52.95 in the 100 free (LCM), 1:56.56 in the 200 free (LCM), 58.56 in the 100 back (LCM) and 2:06.12 in the 200 back (LCM) … competed for the Breakers Swim Club … also was a member of Australian Football League and Surf Life Saving … earned a number of academic honors, including Award of Academic Excellence 2015-2016, Principal Award 2012-2016, Maths extension 2013-2014, Full House Colours Swimming, Full House Colours Athletics and was a member of School Sports Honour Board from 2012-17.

Personal: Son of Eric Smith and Jennifer Jones … plans to major in International Business.

NAME: Ricky Thomas
POSITION: Fly / Free
HOMETOWN: Macungie, PA
HIGH SCHOOL: Emmaus

Before Monmouth: Competed in the butterfly and freestyle at Emmaus High School for coach Tim O'Connor … four-year varsity letterwinner … team won four District Championships and four East Penn Conference titles … personal best times include 22.28 as a 50-yard fly relay split, 47.03 in the 100 free, 46.74 as a 100 free relay split and 51.68 in the 100 fly.

Personal: Son of Richard and Lisa Thomas… plans to major in Business.

NAME: Valance Washington
POSITION: Free / Fly
HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC
HIGH SCHOOL: South Mecklenburg

Before Monmouth: Competed in the butterfly and freestyle at South Mecklenburg High School for coach Leslie Berens … personal best times include 24.64 in the 50 free (LCM), 54.89 in the 100 free (LCM), 1:02.00 in the 100 fly (LCM) … competed for SwimMac Swim Team.

Personal: Son of Anthony Valance Washington … plans to major in Political Science.