NOTRE DAME, Ind. —The University of Notre Dame swimming and diving team welcomes 19 new members to the class of 2023. Following National Signing Day (November 14), 16 swimmers and three divers have committed to continue their education and their athletics career as members of the Fighting Irish. They hail from across the country, spanning from California to Massachusetts, representing 16 different states as they come together in Northern Indiana for the next four years.
The 2019-20 freshman class will feature 13 men and six women, including David DeBacker, William Rains and Samantha Gillis who will dive for the team.
The men’s swim roster will welcome William Barao, Nick Chase, Alec Delong, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jack Hoagland, Liam Hutchinson, Charles Korndorffer, Topher Stensby, Luke Thornbrue, Nicholas Torres and Cason Wilburn.
“I am extremely pleased with the quality and depth of our Men’s Recruiting Class,” head coach Mike Litzinger said. “Our staff worked incredibly hard with this class, and I am proud of the results. This class will have an immediate impact in direction of Notre Dame Men’s Swimming and Diving. This group will make its presence known quickly”
The women’s team will include Sarah Boyle, Elizabeth Fry, Coleen Gillilan, Madison Potter and Sydney Winters.
“The Women in our Fall Signing Class have it all,” he added. “They are very talented, nationally recognized, and academically astute. Without a doubt, this group will continue to push Notre Dame Women’s Swimming and Diving forward, and up into the elite of the NCAA.”
The complete group is highlighted by seven USA Swimming Scholastic All-Americans and five USA Swimming Junior National Finalists. Coleen Gillilan was crowned the 2018 USA Swimming Junior National Champion in the 100 fly, recording a career-best long course time of 59.01. On the men’s side, Charles Korndorffer was the 50 meter back national champion.
WOMEN
Coleen Gillilan Events: IM, Fly Breast
Fossil Ridge High School Honors: 2018 USA Swimming Jr. National Team Member
Ft. Collins, CO 2018 USA Swimming Junior National Champion-100Fly
Club: Ft. Collins Area Swim Team National Age Group Record Holder 200 & 400 Medley Relay
Coach: Mike Novell #4 Ranked Recruit Class of 2019
Parents: Kelly and Chi-Yen Gillilan 3 Time Colorado State HS Champion 100 Fly
Major: Pre-Professional Science Best Times: 200 IM: 1:56.25; 100 Fly: 52.00; 200 Fly: 1:56.25;
100 Breast: 59.59; 200 Breast: 2:09.77
“Coleen is one of the premier swimmers in the Class of 2019. She is versatile, has speed in all four disciplines, and will be a huge factor in our relays. She comes in with an NCAA ready resume, helping us continue our rise in the ACC, and nationally. Coleen fell in love with Notre Dame from the very beginning of the process, and we are looking forward to her time her under the Dome!” – Mike Litzinger
Elizabeth Fry Events: Breast, Fly, IM
St. Paul’s School For Girls Honors: 6 Time Maryland State HS Champion 200 IM, 100 Fly, 100 Breast
Towson, MD USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier
Club: Eagle Swim Team Best Times: 100 Breast: 1:01.96; 200 Breast: 2:16.58; 100 Fly: 54.91;
Coach: Scott Ward 200 IM: 2:02.68
Parents: Robert and Sarah Fry
Major: Undecided
“We are excited about Elizabeth’s commitment to Notre Dame. She comes from a very solid club background, and is rapidly improving. She has great strength, and can help our team in multiple events. I am looking forward to coaching Elizabeth, and exploring her potential as a great athlete for us.” – Mike Litzinger
Madison Potter Events: Fly, IM
Blake School Honors: 2 Time Minnesota State Class A Champion 200 IM & 100 Fly
Minneapolis, MN Best Times: 100 Fly: 53.93; 200 Fly: 2:00.50; 200 IM: 2:03.73
Club: Aquajets Swim Team
Coach: Kate Lundsten
Parents: Rob and Jenny Potter
Major: Undecided
“I am truly excited about Maddy’s commitment to Notre Dame. She comes from a great club background, she is a fantastic athlete, and her best swimming is ahead of her. She will be a great addition to this class, and someone who will continue to grow with our program.” – Mike Litzinger
Sydney Winters Events: Free, Fly, Breast, IM
Feeding Hills, MA Honors: 4 Time High School All American, 4 Time NEPSAC State Champion
Suffield Academy USA Swimming Scholastic All American, US Open Qualifier
Coach: Andy Lowe Best Times: 50 Free: 23.60; 100 Free: 50.62; 200 IM: 2:01.50; 100 Fly: 54.52
Parents: John and Adelia Winters
Major: Finance
“Sydney fell in love with our program from the get go. She is tremendously versatile and will help us in any event we decide to swim her in. She is getting faster with each major competition she swims in, and I am looking forward to seeing her progress. Sydney will be a factor at Notre Dame throughout her years with us.” – Mike Litzinger
Sarah Boyle Events: Fly, Back
Centreville, VA Honors: NCSA Junior National Finalist 50,100 Fly & 50, 100 Back
Westfield High School USA Swimming Leadership Delegate
Club: Machine Aquatics 4 Time Westfield HS Record Holder
Coach: Dan Jacobs 2018 Washington Post All-Met Team(HM)
Parents: Brian and Christy Boyle Best Times: 100 Back: 55.90; 100 Fly: 55.50; 200 Fly: 2:01.74
Major: Business
“Sarah will be a 3rdgeneration Notre Dame “Domer.” She understands the importance of legacy, and athletic excellence here and that will carry her a long way. I like the way she moves through the water and am excited to have her work with a group that is traditionally strong in her events. I am excited about Sarah’s potential and look forward to her arrival.” – Mike Litzinger
Samantha Gillis Events: Diving
City/State: Greensboro, NC
School: Northwest Guilford High School, Greensboro, NC
Club: Ultimate Air Diving, NC
Parents: Mark and Eileen Gillis
“Samantha is a very talent athlete but has not fully developed into her fullest potential. I think after one or two-year years training at the collegiate level she will be a good competitor at the conference and NCAA level. Samantha is passionate about Notre Dame and ready for the hard work to maximize her personal potential. Samantha joins Notre Dame’s diving team and will give us a fresh power. Notre Dame is Samantha’s top university and feels Notre Dame is great fits her academic and athletic needs.” – Caiming Xie
MEN
Will Barao Events: Freestyle
Hingham, MA Honors: USA Youth Olympic Team Member Buenos Aires 2018, Ranked #13 in the class of 2019
Hingham High School
Club: Bluefish Swim Club Best Times: 200 Free: 1:37.84; 500 Free: 4:24.67; 1000 Free: 9:02.22;
Coach: Chuck Batchelor 1650 Free: 15:41.55
Parents: Tome and Amy Barao
Major: Finance
“Will is a Notre Dame Man through and through. He is focused on excellence in the classroom and in the pool, and will continue adding quality to an already impressive Distance/Mid-Distance Free Group. I would like to welcome Will, his mom Amy and brother Declan to ours at Notre Dame.” – Mike Litzinger
Luke Thornbrue Events: Freestyle
Hillsboro, OR Honors: 2018 USA Swimming National Open Water Select Camp
Century High School 2018 USA Swimming Junior National Finalist
Club: Hillsboro HEAT Oregon State High School Champion 200 & 500 Free
Coach: James Resare Best Times: 100 Free: 45.35; 200 Free: 1:37.47; 500 Free: 4:24.95;
Parents: Matthew and Penny Thornbrue 1000 Free: 9:06.92; 1650 Free: 15:11.07
Major: Undecided
“I am absolutely thrilled to have Luke join us. He, His family and our staff hit it off right away during the recruiting process. He is another amazing talent that we are adding to our group, and he will certainly help take our Freestyle events to another level. While Luke’s light heartedness will keep things loose in practice, I know there is a fierce competitor within him, and that will translate into big thing within the ACC/NCAA.” – Mike Litzinger
Cason Wilburn Events: Free, Fly
Virginia Beach, VA Honors: 3 Time Virginia Swimmer of the Year, 4 Time VA State
First Colonial High School Champion 50 & 100 Free, Holds every swimming record
Club: East Coast Aquatic Team at First Colonial HS, 2018 Black Heritage/History High
Coach: Eric Landon & Steve Cassell Point Winner, National Honor Society
Parents: Keenan and Cassondre Wilburn Best Times: 50 Free: 20.42; 100 Free: 44.22; 200 Free: 1:37.22;
Major: Environmental Engineering 100 Fly: 48.19
“Cason is an amazing young man, he has the total package and we are fortunate to have him committed to Notre Dame. He is a talented athlete, #1 in his class, and an incredible musician. His range of events is from the 50 to the 500, from the 100 Fly to the 400 IM, which in this day and age is impressive. Cason’s support from home, and the fundamentals laid down by his coaches will serve him very well at Notre Dame.” – Mike Litzinger
Christopher “Topher” Stensby Events: Freestyle
Lincolnshire, IL Honors: 3 Time Illinois State HS Champion, USA Swimming Jr Adelai Stevenson
Club: Patriot Aquatic Club High School, National Finalist, NISCA All-American
Coach: Kevin Zakrzewski Scholastic All-American, USA Swimming National Select Camp
Parents: Scott and Tami Stensby. Best Times: 50 Free: 20.00; 100 Free: 44.10; 200 Free: 1:40.98
Major: Business
“Topher brings size and major speed to our program. Nationally he is among the fastest prospects in the class of 2019, and will be a factor both individually and on relays for Notre Dame. Topher and his family recognize the unique opportunity Notre Dame affords, and where we are headed in the swimming world. It will be fantastic to be working with him and this young freestyle group moving forward.” – Mike Litzinger
Jack Hoagland Event: Freestyle, IM
Albuquerque, NM Honors: 2 Time USA Swimming Scholastic All American,
La Cueva High School NISCA All American, New Mexico State HS Champion
Club: Charger Aquatics USA Swimming Junior National Finalist
Coach: Tom Cyprus Best Times: 200 Free: 1:36.87; 500 Free: 4:23.19; 1000 Free 9:11.34
Parents: Dan and Gena Hoagland
Major: Business/Engineering
“We are thrilled that Jack will be joining us at Notre Dame. He has great skills and will be included in this group of freestylers that will make a huge impact within the ACC. He is very tall, and can move around to the IM’s as well. Jack and his family took to Notre Dame right away, and there is no doubt that he will find success here.” – Mike Litzinger
Liam Hutchinson Event: Freestyle
Glen Ellyn, IL Honors: NCSA Champion 400M Freestyle, Illinois State Record Holder,
Fenwick High School 5-time Illinois State Champion
Club: Wheaton Swim Club Best Times: 100 Free: 45.81; 200 Free: 1:38.99; 500 Free: 4:26.56
Coach: Bob Strube
Parents: Ian and Tina Hutchinson
Major: Business
“Liam is another fantastic freestyler that we have added to this class. Even though he has won a Junior National Championship, his potential is yet to be realized. Liam is a fantastic student, and his family background fits Notre Dame perfectly. I am excited about Liam’s future in our program, and his ability to excel as student athlete at Notre Dame.” – Mike Litzinger
Jack Fitzpatrick Events: IM, Back Free
Pittsburgh, PA Honors: 2 Time Pennsylvania AA State Finalist, 2018 Speedo Upper St. Clair
Club: Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics High School Sectional Champion 400 IM, 100 Back,
Coach: John Nemeth NISCA All-American
Parents: Tom and Casey Fitzpatrick Best Times: 100 Back: 48.81; 200 Back: 1:47.84; 200 IM: 1:50.00; 400 IM: 3:55.70
Major: Prep-Professional Medicine
“Having Jack join us at Notre Dame will be exciting. He has great size, four good strokes, and will fit into our IM/Stroke group very well. Jack is just beginning to hit his stride in the sport, and is poised for a fantastic Senior season. I believe he will be very competitive not only in the ACC, but nationally as well.” – Mike Litzinger
Nick Torres Events: Free, Back, IM
Eastchester, NY Honors: USA Swimming Jr National Finalist, USA Swimming Academic All-Fordham-Prep-
Club: Badger Swim Club American, 2-time National Age Group Record Holder, National Honor Society
Coach: John Collins Best Times: 200 Free: 1:39.82; 100 Back: 50.21; 200 Back 1:49.44;
Parents: Randy and Rosann Torres 200 IM: 1:49.27
Major: Undecided
“Nick is a great get for us. He swims around the board, and will only continue to get better. Coming from Badger Swim Club, he knows how to work hard, and work the right way. As a Notre Dame legacy, he values our culture and what the future will hold. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Nick.” – Mike Litzinger
Nick Chase Events: Back, Free
Waukee, IA Honors: Iowa State HS Champions 100 Back, USA Swimming Academic Dowling
Club: Des Moines Swimming Federation High School All-American, NISCA High School All-American
Coach: Greg Temple Best Times: 200 Free: 1:41.00; 100 Back: 49.48
Parents: Jon and Loralee Chase
Major: Business
“Nick is a quickly improving athlete, with good size, and speed. I am impressed with his work ethic, and desire to excel at the next level. Coming from a storied swimming program, and ready to tackle college head on, I feel Nick will ge a great addition to our team at Notre Dame.” – Mike Litzinger
Alec DeLong Events: Free
Carmel, IN Honors: Indiana State High School Finalist 200 Free, USA Swim Scholastic All-American
Carmel High School
Club: Carmel Swim Club Best Times: 100 Free: 46.61; 200 Free: 1:40.89; 500 Free: 4:41.18
Coach: Chris Pumb
Parents: Tim and Mindy Delong
“I am very pleased that Alec has chosen the University of Notre Dame. It is a great fit for him both in the pool and the classroom. Coming from Coach Plumb’s program he is familiar with success, and will continue that trend here with us. Alec’s best swimming is in the future, and we welcome him to our pool deck.” – Mike Litzinger
Charles Korndorffer Events: Fly, Back
New Orleans, LA Honors: 2018 LA State Swimmer of the Year, 2018 NSCA, National Champion
Jesuit High School 50M Back, NISCA All-American, Louisiana State Record Holder
Club: NuWave Swim Club
Coach: Ross Hedrick Best Times: 50 Back: 22.51; 100 Back: 49.22; 100 Fly: 48.09;
Parents: James and Melanie Korndorffer 200 Fly: 1:48.87
Major: Computer Engineering
“What I like best about Charles is that he brings “sneaky” speed to Notre Dame. He is a relay guy, he loves leading off a Medley, and he can take his game up to the 200. Charles is incredibly driven in the classroom, and this is the combination that makes him special. Charles will definitely be in the middle of all competition for Notre Dame.” – Mike Litzinger
David Debacker Events: 1-Meter, 3-Meter, Platform
City/State: Ypsilanti, MI
School: Catholic Central High School, Novi, MI 2018 best 1-M score: 419.75 (11 dives)
Club: Legacy Dive Club. MI 2018 best 3-M score: 465.25 (11 dives)
Parents: Mike and Laura DeBacker 2018 best platform score 370.90 (10 dives)
“We are excited to have David as a Frighting Irish Diver. David is a talented diver, is well developed diver and will continue to improve. He has good fundamental skills and will be a good addition to our program. David loves Notre Dame and feels that Notre Dame fits his personality, academics and athletic ambitions. He thinks Notre Dame will be the best academic and diving program for his college career.” – Caiming Xie
William Rains Events: 1-Meter, 3-Meter, Platform
City/State: Los Angeles, CA
School: Harvard-Westlake High School 2018 best 1-M score: 367.70.95 (11 dives)
Club: Arrow Dive Club, CA 2018 best 3-M score: 444.85 (11 dives)
Parents: Rick and Alexis Rains 2018 best platform score 390.50 (10 dives)
2018 USA Junior National Championship 3-meter and platform qualifier
“We are glad to have signed William to Notre Dame. William is an enthusiastic young man who is ready for the hard work ahead and willing to learn new dives and techniques to maximize his personal potential. William’s addition to the Notre Dame swimming and diving team will help the Irish squad compete and score in big moments.” – Caiming Xie
–ND–