Men's Swimming Signs Six
November 25, 2014 | Swimming & Diving
The University of Louisville men's swimming and diving program announced the signing of five swimmers and a diver for the class of 2015 according to head coach Arthur Albiero. The class includes: Jake Miller of El Paso, Ill., Zach Harting of Madison, Ala., Matyi Kovacs of Mishawaka, Ind., Abel Aulbach of Petersburg, Alaska, and Jacob Demercurio of Frisco, Texas, and Daniel Fecteau of Olathe, Kansas.
"We are very excited about this incoming group of young men," said UofL head coach Arthur Albiero. "Our staff canvassed the country to assemble a class that we feel can make an immediate impact at both the ACC and NCAA level. We filled some strategic athletic needs. But what most impresses me about each of these young men is their burning desire to improve themselves athletically and on a personal level. Each of these young men have been handpicked to continue our quest to elevate the University of Louisville Swimming and Diving Program into the upper echelon of the NCAA and Olympic Levels."
Jake Miller - El Paso, Illinois - IM, Free
Jake Miller comes to UofL from El Paso, Illinois. Under the guidance of Coach John Almeida at the Redbird Swim Club, Miller established himself as the No. 1 recruit out of the State of Illinois according to collegeswimming.com. A 2016 Olympic Trial qualifier in the 400 IM, he also holds the Illinois High School State Record in the 200 IM. The four-time NCSA Junior National Champion holds NCSA records on both the 400 IM and the 100 freestyle, and was invited to attend the 2014 USA Swimming National Select Camp at the USOC Olympic Training Center.
Jake on choosing Louisville
"I chose Louisville because of the energy of the talented coaching staff and their focus on building partnerships with each swimmer. Their genuine drive, goals and high ambitions really spoke to me - They have a talented group of swimmers, who are humble but hungry. I'm looking forward to being a part of this team! GO CARDS!"
Miller's Top Times:
200 IM - 1:47.47 SCY / 2:05.13 LCM
400 IM - 3:50.36 SCY / 4:26.04 LCM
100 FR - 45.03 SCY / 50.77 LCM
200 FR - 1:40.94 SCY / 1:55.36 LCM
500 FR - 4:25.38 SCY / 4:04.43 LCM
Zach Harting - Madison, Ala. - Butterfly/ IM
Zach Harting joins the Cards from Madison, Alabama. The No. 1 recruit out of the State of Alabama, according to collegeswimming.com, he represents the Huntsville Swimming Association under the tutelage of Coach Matt Weber. A 2016 Olympic Trial qualifier in the 200 butterfly, Harting shattered the Southeastern Swimming record held by 2008 Olympian Gil Stoval in the yards format of the event this year. The 2014 High School State Champion in the 100-yard butterfly was invited to the USA Swimming National Select Camp at the USOC Olympic Training Center. Harting is also a two- time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Service Club, and the National English Honor Society.
Zach on choosing Louisville
"Louisville is the entire package. The coaching staff, team, facilities, campus, and academic staff all made me feel welcomed and at home... and soon it will be! Go Cards!"
Harting's Top Times: 100 FL - 48.99 SCY / 55.72 LCM
200 FL - 1:46.50 SCY / 2:01.12 LCM
200 IM - 1:51.60 SCY / 2:09.31 LCM
400 IM - 3:58.30 SCY / 4:34.30 LCM
Matyi Kovacs - Mishawaka, Ind. - Freestyle
Matyi Kovacs comes to Louisville from Mishawaka, Indiana. A product of Coach Jess Preston of Penn High School and PRO Swimming, Kovacs was the 2014 Indiana High School Runner-up in the 50 yard freestyle and an All-American in that event. An Honor Student at Penn High School, Kovacs is a USA Swimming Winter Nationals qualifier.
Matyi on choosing Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because it felt like the perfect fit for my goals both in and out of the pool."
Kovac's Top Times:
50 FR - 20.49 SCY / 23.81 LCM
100 FR - 45.47 SCY / 52.53 LCM
200 FR - 1:43.72 SCY
Abel Aulbach - Petersburg, Alaska - Freestyle
Abel Aulbach joins the Cards from Petersburg, Alaska. Aulbach was the Alaska High School State Champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle for 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2014, he broke the State Record in the 100 freestyle (44.90). An Honor Roll student Aulbach is top 12 in his graduating class.
Abel on choosing Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because the coaching staff is really nice, and it is a very cool program."
Aulbach's Top Times:
50 FR - 21.13 SCY
100 FR - 44.90 SCY
Jacob Demercurio - Frisco, Texas - Free/Back
Jacob Demercurio joins the Cards from Frisco, Texas. The Madisonville, Kentucky native returns to his home state after his family relocated during his senior year. A product of the Madisonville YMCA under Coach Kent Waide, and Coach Dan McDonough of Texas Ford Aquatics, Demercurio has won multiple Kentucky State Swimming Championships, and qualified for the USA Swimming Junior Nationals. A two-time Academic All-American, Demercurio carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Beta Club.
Jacob on why he chose the Cards
"Between the academic programs, the coaching staff, and the team I felt that Louisville was the best fit for me. Also growing up in Kentucky, I have always wanted to be a Cardinal. Finally, my parents really like and trust Coach Albiero, and his Staff!"
Demercurio's Top Times:
50 FR - 21.24 SCY
100 BK - 50.87 SCY
Daniel Fecteau - Olathe, Kan. -- Diver
Daniel Fecteau joins the Cardinals from Olathe, Kansas. As a member of iDiveKC under Coach Christian Zarif, Fecteau took home Kansas High School State Championships in both 2013 and 2014 on the 1m Springboard. He also qualified for Nationals this past March at Regionals in Southlake, Texas.
Daniel on choosing Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because by all means, UofL was and will be the top runner: athletically, academically, competitivness, team unity and cooperation, facilities, facility,world famous coaches, and everything else. Louisville was the dream school of mine and I am honored to have this opportunity to represent this swim and dive team which is currently Top Five in the nation. This is a whole new chapter in my life coming from Kansas, where there are limited facilities to practice at. So, I am nowhere close to peaking, and am looking forward to help contribute towards a National Championship for the University of Louisville."
