May 27, 2008
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist Director of Aquatics Larry VanWagner has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the men's swimming and diving program for the 2008-09 season. Tim Parkes (Niskayuna, N.Y.), Patrick Shea (Peabody, Mass.), and Kevin Shoemaker (Saucon Valley, Pa.) all signed National Leters of Intent and will come to Marist beginning in the fall of 2008.
Tim Parkes - Niskayuna, N.Y. - Niskayuna High School
Tim Parkes comes to Poughkeepsie after earning three varsity letters at Niskayuna High School. An honors student, Parkes is a three-time Speedo Sectional Athlete and a two-time New York State Championship qualifier. He also served as a volunteer at the Special Olympics and Maters Swimming program throughout high school.
Patrick Shea - Peabody, Mass. - Landmark High School
A competitive swimmer and member of USA Swimming and YMCA Swimming since 1996, Patrick Shea holds all the distance freestyle records for one of the largest YMCA teams in the country (North Shore Sharks). He was an All-American in the 1650-yard freestyle, 800-meter freestyle relay, and 800-meter freestyle, and was a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. He started his high school swimming career at Peabody High School. As a freshman he was named All-New England, and MIAA Division I Swimming and Diving for the 500-yard freestyle. Shea enrolled in Landmark High School following his freshman year and was a two-year captain, and a two-time champion in the 500-yard freestyle. He is also a Top 20 record holder in the New England Preparatory School Swimming Association.
Kevin Shoemaker - Saucon Valley, Pa. - Saucon Valley High School
Kevin Shoemaker was named the Express Times Swimmer of the Year in 2008 and is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American (2006 and 2007). A member of the National Honors Society, Kevin won five district Gold Medals from 2006-08 and holds two district records. He was the Dennis McGinley Swimmer of the Meet at the 2008 District 11 Championships, and won the Gold Medial in the 100-yard butterfly in the 2008 PIAA State Championships. In his high school career, he was a state qualifier all four years and had five top eight finishes.
The Marist men are coming off their fourth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship in 2008. The Red Foxes graduated six seniors and all the newcomers will be looked upon to contribute early on during their time at Marist.
