Howard Bison Swimming & Diving Announces Recruiting Class

WASHINGTON, D.C. --  Second year Howard swimming & diving head coach Nicholas Askew has announced the signing of 11 new recruits for the 2015-16 season. These incoming freshmen will look to fill the void of the 10 seniors the program lost last year.

"Overall, this is an extremely strong class of student-athletes," Askew said of the newcomers. "Each one of them come in accomplished academically and athletically so I'm excited to see their transition to the collegiate ranks. They say 'the reward for hard work is more hard work' - we've embraced this in our program and this group is ready to elevate the program to new heights."

Below is a list of the 11 recruits, along with a highlight of their recruitment to Howard:

BISON RECRUITS (6)
- ALEXANDER BARNES / Rockledge, FL / Rockledge HS / Brevard Virtual Secondary School
    The Florida native originally wanted to stay in the Sunshine State but decided on Howard after a relative spoke highly on Howard's academic reputation
- FARION COOPER / Nassau, Bahamas / Queens College
    One of two Caribbean recruits in this class; choose Howard because of team chemistry and leadership
- MENSA EGGLESTON / Greenbelt, MD / Eleanor Roosevelt HS
    Name means "one who follows the sage;" bonded quickly with upperclassmen swimmers during the process
- NICHOLAS HAUGHTON / Kingston, Jamaica / Campion College
    One of two Caribbean recruits in the class; looks forward to having an immediate impact on the up-and-coming,Howard team
- JONATHAN HILL / Vero Beach, FL / Sebastian River HS
    Looking forward to becoming a part of a strong, close-knit family
- MARK MCCLUSKEY / Hope, ME / Camden Hills Regional HS
    Is appreciative for the chance to swim on the Division I level

LADY BISON RECRUITS (5)
- AKEYLA HOLLEY / Fort Washington, MD / Elizabeth Seton HS
    Pursuing her collegiate swimming career after considering not doing so and being pushed by her high school coach
- KASANDRA KAPLAN / Detroit, MI / Lakeview HS
    Her comfortable level with and the positive atmosphere around the Howard program helped her choose the Bison
- MARINA MARKOUS / Stevensville, MD / Kent Island HS
    Instantly felt connected to the program upon meeting the upperclassmen; is a fluent Russian speaker
- LATROYA PINA / Seekonk, MA / Seekonk HS
    Feels confident that swimming at Howard sets her up to achieve her academic and athletic goals
- SUSANNA REESE / Flossmoor, IL / Homewood-Flossmoor HS
    Decided on Howard after noticing the team dynamic resembled her club team in Chicago

Howard Swimming's new recruits and the returning Bison embark on the 2015-16 season on October 17 against George Washington at home in the Burr Gymnasium Pool.

Before official competitions begin, the program will host a pair of exhibition events - the Bison Swim-A-Thon on September 12 at 1 p.m. and the Swimming Alumni Meet on October 2 beginning at 6 p.m. - all are invited to attend.

ABOUT THE CCSA (www.TheCCSA.com)
Founded in 2007, the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) was originally developed by four regional Division I conferences -- the Atlantic Sun Conference, Big South Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southern Conference, to create a centralized home for their members with swimming and diving programs. Now in its ninth season, the CCSA boasts a total a 11 members from six states and the District of Columbia, becoming one of the largest Division I conferences in the country sponsoring swimming and diving. CCSA members represent the District of Columbia (Howard University), Florida (Florida Atlantic, North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast), Georiga (Georgia Southern), Maryland (UMBC), New Jersey (NJIT), North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville, North Carolina A&T), Texas (Incarnate Word) and Virginia (Liberty, Old Dominion, VMI).

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION