June 12, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay swimming and diving coach Jim Merner has officially announced that seven prep standouts will join the Phoenix men's squad for the 2008-09 season. The group includes swimmers Riley Egger (Marshfield, Wis.), Cameron Forsythe (Green Bay, Wis.), Alex Hallam (Wausau, Wis.), Rick Kellogg (Green Bay, Wis.) and Leonardo Natale (Garca, Brazil), as well as divers Danny Pogue (Chisholm, Minn.) and Chris Van Den Elzen (Pulaski, Wis.).

"This is an outstanding class of recruits who meet our needs and fit into the character mold of exceptional young men that we look for," Merner said. "Our men's team just took a huge step forward with this class."

Egger placed fifth in the 100-yard freestyle at the Wisconsin state high school championships with a personal-best time of 47.57. He was a YMCA Long Course national finalist in the 200-yard individual medley and 200- and 400-yard medley relays. He is the Marshfield High School record holder in the 100 free, 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley.

"Riley brings versatility to the speed-oriented races," Merner said. "He is fast in the 100 and 200 freestyles, 200 IM and in both fly and back races. I am very pleased that his talents are coming to Green Bay."

Forsythe was a four-year letterman for Bay Port High School and was team captain his senior year. He was a WIAA state qualifier in the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay in 2008. The conference champion in the 200 free, he earned 52 medals during his prep career. Forsythe also holds four individual and seven relay records at Bay Port.

"This young man is up-and-coming with the heart of a champion," Merner said. "Cameron is just beginning to see how good he can become. He will help this team in the future with his backstroke and freestyle talents."

Hallam was a three-time all-conference swimmer who set league records in the 200-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley. In 2008, he led his 200-yard medley relay squad to a Division 1 state championship and All-America honors. Hallam helped Wausau East to a pair of top-5 finishes at the state meet, including a third-place landing his junior year.

"An extremely versatile swimmer, Alex brings talent and ability to all the distance free events, long IM and long backstroke races," Merner said. "He is an excellent addition to our program."

Kellogg graduated from Notre Dame Academy. He did not participate on a high school swim team, but was a member of the prestigious Green Bay Swim Club.

"Walking on to this team, Rick is going to surprise many," Merner said. "He's very tall and has a limited background in training, but Rick is going to become very good in the near future."

Natale, who hails from Brazil, was a foreign exchange student at Platteville (Wis.) High School this past season. He won the WIAA Division 2 title in the 100-yard butterfly.

"This young man is a very gifted butterflier who brings a load of talent and success to this team. I am excited about his desire to be with us as well as his desire to succeed at a high level," Merner said.

Pogue was the 2008 Minnesota State Class A runner-up on the 1-meter diving board after winning the sectional competition. It was his second straight medal at state, as he placed third at the state diving meet as a junior. He also was an NISCA/Speedo Boys 1-Meter Diving All-American.

"Having the number two diver in Minnesota walking on to our program is a huge plus for us," Merner said. "He is very talented and could become one of the best in the Horizon League as he transitions into a collegiate diver."

Van Den Elzen was a four-time Wisconsin state qualifier on the 1-meter board. He placed third at the 2008 WIAA meet after taking eighth as a junior. Van Den Elzen was an all-state and all-conference performer who also was named team MVP and captain. He holds the Pulaski High School diving point record and was named the Athlete of the Week by WBAY-TV in February of 2008.

"Chris is an outstanding diving prospect with a huge upside. He has seen success, but his best days are yet to come. He is extremely athletic and should grace our diving boards well," Merner said.

--www.uwgbathletics.com--