University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Announces Recruit Class For 2006-07 Campaign
May 12, 2006 | Men's Swimming & Diving
May 12, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts men's swimming and diving team has announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2006-07 season according to head coach Russ Yarworth. Mike Berthaume (Hampden, Mass.), Justin Brooks (Dedham, Mass.), Chris Howard (Milton, Mass.), Brendan Jones (Holmdel, N.J.), Juan Moliere (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), Tim Smith (North Andover, Mass.), and Andrew Willbrant (Londonderry, N.H.) join Trevor Ziegler (Columbia, Md.) who signed during the Early Signing Period this past fall.
"A great group of motivated student-athletes, this class could well help us realize our goal of bringing the Atlantic 10 Championship back to Amherst," said Yarworth.
Berthaume is the younger brother of rising sophomore Andy Berthaume and was a 2006 High School All-American in the 100-yard butterfly. Berthaume attends Minnechaug Regional High School and was the 2006 Massachusetts State Champion in the 100-yard butterfly. A National Honor Society student-athlete, he has also been accepted into the Commonwealth College for Engineering at UMass.
"Mike has unlimited potential. His academic record and athletic accomplishments predict an awesome college career. We're thrilled to have Mike joining the program."
Brooks, who was a former teammate of A.J. Vozella at Xaverian Brothers High School, was the silver medalist at the Massachusetts State Championships in the 200-yard individual medley and the bronze medalist in the 500-yard freestyle. As a high school senior, Brooks was named a Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Student-Athlete.
"Justin is a very versatile swimmer, capable of training and competing in any event. He'll be joining former high school teammate and current UMass standout A.J. Vozella to help bring the Atlantic 10 title back to Amherst."
Attending Thayer Academy, Howard was named the MVP of his high school team.
"At 6-feet-4 and 190 pounds with only two years of high school swimming under his belt, Chris is raw power and potential. We should see some quick improvement as he trains at the college level."
Jones was named a YMCA All-American in the 800-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard medley relay. Attending Holmdel High School in Holmdel, New Jersey, Jones was a four time MVP and holds the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke school records. As a member of the National Honor Society, Jones has been accepted into the Commonwealth College for Engineering.
"Just like Justin Brooks, Brendan is tremendously versatile and ready to go. He's a big strong kid who can swim distance, IM or anything else asked of him."
Moliere, coming from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, was the 2005 and 2006 Puerto Rico Junior National Champion in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle. Moliere attends Collegio San Ignacio in Puerto Rico and has been named Team MVP in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Moliere also swims for the Loyola Aquatic Club, which is home to many former UMass All-American Water Polo players. He will be attending UMass on an Engineering academic scholarship.
"Juan, simply put, has breakout speed. He's a strong student and good competitor. He'll re-establish the UMass Aquatics tradition of excellent athletes coming from Puerto Rico."
Smith was named the 2006 Cape Ann League Swimmer of the Year. At North Andover High School, Smith is the 50, 200, and 500-yard freestyle record holder as well as the 100-yard backstroke record holder. Smith was the captain of his high school team during his senior year. As a member of the National Honor Society, Smith has been accepted into the Isenberg School of Business at UMass.
"Tim will immediately bring strength and a great training attitude to our distance group. He's all potential and ready to work."
Willbrant was the 2004, 2005, and 2006 New Hampshire State Champion in the 100-yard backstroke and the 2006 State Champion in the 200-yard individual medley. Coming from Londonderry High School, Willbrant was the 2005-2006 Co-Captain and received the 2005-2006 Senior Leader Award.
"Andrew is 6-feet-5 and still growing. He's talented, motivated, and ready to be a huge factor in our drive to the top."