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CSUB Men?s Swimming Signs Six To National Letter Of Intent

General CSU Bakersfield Athletic Communications

CSUB Men?s Swimming Signs Six To National Letter Of Intent

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.---CSU Bakersfield Head Men's Swimming Coach Chris Hansen has announced the signing of six athletes to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Roadrunners next season.

Gabriel Bertrand hails from Tibro, Sweden where he competed in the short sprints for Nykopingssimg Gymnasium.

"Gabriel's conversion times put his 100 and 200 Free in CSUB's all-time top five," Hansen said. "He is going to be a huge help in competing against the tougher schools entering the MPSF.

Alex Brown is a sophomore from Reno, Nev. As a freshman a year ago, Brown posted an NCAA Division II "B" Cut time in the 100 butterfly (:51.29) for Lake Erie College (Pa.). Brown won the consolation finals in the 100 butterfly of the GLIAC Championships. He competed in the 50, 100, and 200 free, the 100 back, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 breastroke, and the 200 IM for Lake Erie.

"Alex has a whole bunch of talent that I can not wait to get out of him," Brown said. "He is going to be someone to watch.

Dennis Cassidy enteres the CSUB program after graduating from La Serna High School in Whittier, Calif. where helped lead the Lancers to four Del Rio League Championships. He served as the team captain as a senior and was named first team Whittier Daily News Boys Swim Team.

"We battled some great schools to get Dennis to CSUB," Hansen said. "He is a much needed addtion to our distance core."

Fran Cverle is a sophomore who is originally from Zagreb, Croatia. Cverle spent the 2010-11 season at NCAA Division II Limestone College. A 2010 graudate of Birothnika High School, Cverle helped his relay team to the LCM National Junior Record and Junior Championship winner in the 800 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay in 2007. He earned the outstanding winner medal for the Junior National Championship in the 400 freestyle relay, and a third place at the National Championships. Cverle received a third place medal in the 200 freestyle relay, second place in the 400 freestyle relay and a fourth place in the 800 freestyle race respectively at the high National Championship level in 2010.

"Fran is coming in with times in 50, 100 and 200 Free that would be in the top five in CSUB history," Hansen said. "He  is going to be great for our relays after losing Matt Parsonage to graduation.

Alex Daneke is a junior who comes to the CSUB program after beginning his career at UC Davis. Daneke sat out last season after UC Davis dropped men's swimming as a varsity sport in 2009. As a sophomore, Daneke helped UC Davis to a NCAA "B" cut time in the 400 freestyle relay. He was a part of Aggies' 800 free relay that won the Big West title and posted a "B" cut time. During his freshman season, Daneke advanced to finals in 200 and 500 free at Big West Championships, finishing third in both events for UC Davis. He placed 13th in 100 free for a point total of 40. Daneke swam the second leg of Big West Conference 800 free relay team.

"Alex is one of CSUB's top recruits in the history of the program," Hansen said. "He comes in with the fastest 200 Free in school history and top five times in four other events. He could be the first Division I qualifier for CSUB."

Troy Neklason is a 2011 graduate of Aviation High School in Seattle, Wash. where he won a state diving championship in 2010. He was selected All-District from 2008-11 and chosen All-League from 2008-11. Neklason holds Aviation's diving record.
"Troy is going to score big points for us," Hansen said. "He could be a threat to win both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving competion at the MPSF as a freshman. I am looking forward to this new class helping us compete in the division one world."

CSUB will announce the remainder of the 2011-12 roster in June.  The Roadrunners won the inaugural MPSF Championship in 2011. The MPSF will be adding Air Force, BYU, Denver, Hawaii, UNLV, and Wyoming to the league for next season.
~www.GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Matt Parsonage

Matt Parsonage

Fly/Free/Breast
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Matt Parsonage

Matt Parsonage

5' 10"
Junior
Fly/Free/Breast
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