May 9, 2002
Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College head men's swim coach Larry Van Wagner has announced the signing of Henry Puretz (Poughkeepsie, NY), Kevin Connors (Holmdel, NJ) and Kevin Bobenchik (Rahway, NJ) to National Letters of Intent to swim or the Red Foxes as members of the Class of 2006.
"We are excited to have these three athletes join us for the next four seasons," said Van Wagner. "I look forward to their continued success and the contribution that they will make to the Marist College swimming and diving program."
Puretz has the shortest trip to the Poughkeepsie campus, having swum for Van Wagner as a member of the Marist Swim Club for the last five years. He qualified for the 2000 US Junior National Championship, competing in the 400, 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle events. Puretz, who was a part-time student at Marist this year, was named the Poughkeepsie Journal Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior at Poughkeepsie High School. He placed second at the 2002 New York State High School Championship in the 500-yard freestyle, and is a three-time Section I Champion. Puretz excels in the classroom as well, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Connors is a five-time YMCA National Swimming Championship qualifier in the backstroke, butterfly, and individual medley. He has won six Monmouth County Swimming Championships and is a six-time Shore Conference Swimming Champion. Connors currently attends Christian Brothers Academy, where he was named to the All-Shore team in both his junior and senior seasons.
Bobenchik is the third member of the group, and has qualified for YMCA Nationals in three individual events. He has also helped his Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA team to four relay qualifying times at the YMCA Nationals, placing 12th in the 200-yard medley relay this past spring. Bobenchik currently attends Rahway High School, where he holds school records in four events, and is a two-time Mountain Valley Conference champion and record holder. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and is a National Merit Honor Roll student.
The trio will join the Red Foxes swimming and diving team has captured eighth consecutive conference titles, seven in seven years as members of the eighth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Red Foxes were 10-1 in dual meet action during the 2001-02 campaign and placed second at the ECAC Championship, the programs best finish.
