University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Get to Know the Next Class of Incoming Gophers
4/9/2020 9:24:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS – A grand total of 26 soon-to-be Gophers highlight the Minnesota swimming and diving program's recruiting class for the 2020-21 season, including 13 newcomers on the men's side. With a talented incoming core hailing from the likes of Virginia to Colorado to Spain, the future is bright for the Maroon and Gold.
"We are thrilled to welcome this very large and impactful class to the University of Minnesota! It's full of swimmers and divers spanning the coasts and across the globe, bringing in amazing diversity both in and out of the pool," said assistant coach Jesse Moore. "Coach Kremer and our staff have a long-term vision for our swimming & diving teams to achieve success at the highest levels in the NCAA, nationally and internationally, and the abilities of this group of student-athletes perfectly reflect that vision! We are even more proud of this group because they reflect the values that are important to our team, staff and the University of Minnesota. The 2020-2021 season will be a special year! Go Gophers!"
Casey Stowe (Minnetonka, Minn. – Wayzata H.S.)
Top Times
100 Fly – 50.79
50 Back – 21.79
100 Back – 48.45
200 Back – 1:48.32
100 IM – 50.85
200 IM – 1:50.02
Prep: As the Section 5AA Swimmer of the Year, Stowe recently wrapped up an excellent senior campaign that saw him garner All-Conference, All-State and All-American (third consecutive season) honors. In the process, Stowe claimed a pair of state titles in the 100 back and 200 medley relay, while finishing second in the state in the 200 IM and fifth in the 400 free relay. Also a 2019 Minnesota Swimmer of the Year finalist, the Minnetonka native is also a four-time All-State and All-Conference standout to go along with a quartet of school records at Wayzata High School in the 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 100 back and 400 free relay. At the MSHSL Class AA State Championships this past February, Stowe claimed gold in the 100 back, as well as taking bronze in the 200 IM. He also won the sectional championship in the 200 IM, while being the runner-up in the 100 back. On top of competing for Wayzata, Stowe is a member of Aquajets Swim Team.
Why Minnesota: "The University of Minnesota offers me the best place to continue my academic and swimming careers. Being close to home is very important to me and there is no better place than the U of M. The coaches, team and facilities offer me exactly what I need to become a better athlete and person. I can't wait to become a Gopher!"
Antonio "Moose" Octaviano (King of Prussia, Penn. – The Haverford School)
Top Times
100 Fly – 50.36
100 Breast – 54.58
200 Breast – 2:03.39
Prep: As a 2018 NISCA All-American, Octaviano finished first in the 100 breast (54.85) at the 2019 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championship. Most recently, Octaviano placed second in the 100 breast at the same meet in 2020, while turning in an eighth place result in the 100 fly. In 2018, Octaviano won the 100 breast at the Speedo Champions Series in Christianburg, Va., while setting his lifetime best mark in the 100 breast (54.58) in the process.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because of the camaraderie within the team. When I visited on my official, I fell in love with how kind the coaches and team were to the recruits and myself."
Kaiser Neverman (Green Bay, Wis. – Preble H.S.)
Top Times
100 Fly – 47.56
200 Fly – 1:47.23
50 Free – 20.79
100 Free – 44.29
200 Free – 1:38.34
100 IM – 49.81
200 IM – 1:47.79
Prep: Neverman comes to the U after four years as a letterwinner at Preble High School. During his career, he earned All-Conference and All-State honors four times apiece, while setting four separate conference records in the process. As a sophomore and junior, Neverman was named an All-American in addition to being the 2019 FRCC Conference Swimmer of the Year. As a senior, he claimed a pair of state titles in the 100 fly (47.74) and 200 IM (1:47.79), swimming new personal best times in both events. At the Wisconsin 13 & Over SCY State Championship this past March, Neverman won five different events in the form of the 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 free, 200 free and 100 IM. Neverman also competes for Green Bay YMCA.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the welcoming atmosphere and culture of the school and team. I felt like I was a part of it right away and couldn't wait to make that a reality. The university also academically offers programs that suit my interests and goals, as well as helping me to excel in my future."
Chris Nagy (San Diego, Calif. – University City High)
Top Times
200 Free – 1:44.92
500 Free – 4:32.00
1000 Free – 9:18.99
1650 Free – 15:32.74
Prep: As a letterwinner in each of his years at University City High, Nagy took his swimming to the next level this past season. At the CIF Championships, Nagy finished first in the 500 free with a time of 4:32.00. As a junior, he helped University City to a seventh place finish at CIFs, after placing sixth and 11th in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. This past February, Nagy produced a sixth place finish in the 1650 free at the Speedo Champions Series in Carlsbad, Calif. In the classroom, Nagy was named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in September of 2019. Nagy also swims for Team Elite.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because I felt that the swimming and diving program would provide the best situation for me to excel and grow not only as a swimmer, but as a person as well. On top of that, the academic side of the school also offers a fantastic opportunity for me to pursue my interests of engineering and physics."
Cameron Linder (West Des Moines, Iowa – Waukee Senior H.S.)
Top Times
200 Back – 1:51.90
200 Free – 1:43.92
500 Free – 4:30.87
200 IM – 1:50.47
400 IM – 3:53.54
Prep: Linder heads to The Great North following an impressive career at Waukee High School. In 2019, he garnered All-American consideration in the 200 IM and 400 free, while being named the 2019 District Swimmer of the Meet. As an All-State honoree in the 200 IM and 500 free in both 2018 and 2019, Linder set three school records before even beginning his senior campaign (200 IM, 500 free, 400 free relay). As a senior, he placed second in the state in the 500 free (4:30.87), improving on his personal best time by nearly five seconds. The West Des Moines native also finished third in the 200 IM at the state championships, swimming another lifetime best in the process. Linder is a member of Central Iowa Aquatics swim club.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because it checks off all of the boxes for me: great education, awesome athletics program, close to home and so much more. It has always been my dream to compete at the Division I level and Minnesota allows me to fulfill that dream."
Nathan Kim (Middleton, Wis. – Middleton H.S.)
Top Times
100 Fly – 50.16
200 Fly – 1:49.42
100 IM – 52.98
200 IM – 1:50.98
400 IM – 4:02.46
Prep: As a two-year varsity swim captain at Middleton High, Kim heads to the U with a pair of 2019 All-American accolades in the 200 IM and 400 free relay. Kim also set four different school records for the Cardinals, doing so in the 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 100 fly and 400 free relay. In 2019, he was the state runner-up in the 200 IM, while winning the event at both the conference and sectional championships. For an encore in 2020, Kim took third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 fly at states. Kim also swims for Badger Aquatic Club.
Why Minnesota: "I felt so welcomed right from the start by both the team and the amazing coaching staff. I know I can grow as a swimmer and excel as a student here at Minnesota."
Sawyer Grimes (Las Vegas, Nev. – Nevada Connections Academy)
Top Times
200 Fly - 1:50.00
100 Back – 50.04
200 Back – 1:45.88
200 Free – 1:38.96
500 Free – 4:23.04
1000 Free – 8:56.08
1650 Free – 15:05.23
200 IM – 1:53.03
400 IM – 3:50.92
Prep: This past summer, Grimes successfully swam his way to Olympic Trials cuts in three different events: the 400 free, 800 free and 1500 free. In addition to these achievements, Grimes is also a four-time All-American and four-time All-State selection as a distance freestyle specialist. At the King Marlin Swim Club Pro-Am Classic this past December, Grimes swam the 14th fastest time ever in the 1000 free for a 17-18-year-old with his first place finish (8:56.08). Grimes competes for Sandpipers of Nevada.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the team and coaching staff. When I walked onto the campus, I knew I was meant to be a Golden Gopher."
Leo Goldblatt (Annandale, Va. – Falls Church H.S.)
Top Times
100 Fly – 50.15
200 Fly – 1:48.67
200 Free – 1:41.95
500 Free – 4:33.56
1000 Free – 9:28.46
1650 Free – 15:36.18
Prep: As a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in both 2018 and 2019, Goldblatt has proven he can succeed both in and out of the pool. Also a four-year letterwinner at Falls Church, Goldblatt swam his way to All-Conference and All-Met Honorable Mention honors all four seasons. During each and every one of his state meets, the Annandale native was a four-event qualifier and finaled in at least one event every year. At the Virginia 5A State Championship in 2019, Goldblatt finished fifth in the 500 free after achieving the same result in the 100 fly a year prior. Goldblatt will depart Falls Church with school records in the 100 fly, 200 free, 500 free, 200 IM and 200 medley relay. Goldblatt is also a member of Nations Capital Swim Club-MD.
Why Minnesota: "As soon as I arrived on Minnesota's campus, I got the feeling that it was the school for me. The swim team is so funny and positive, and the coaches have been nothing but supportive. The school has fantastic academics and I truly believe the Twin Cities are one of the coolest places in America. I cannot wait to start my time there as a Gopher!"
James Freeman (Palapye, Botswana)
Top Times
100 Free – 51.74 (LCM)
200 Free – 1:52.11 (LCM)
400 Free – 3:53.18 (LCM)
800 Free – 8:07.67 (LCM)
1500 Free – 15:38.28 (LCM)
Prep: Freeman has already enjoyed a wealth of success prior to joining the Maroon & Gold, holding a grand total of 11 long course National records for Botswana. On top of that, Freeman was a four-time finalist at the South Africa National Aquatic Championship each of the previous two years. In both 2018 and 2019, he finished within the top-six in the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 1500 free, while winning the 800 free championship with a time of 8:17.30 in 2018. Freeman competes for Tuks Swimming Club in South Africa.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because I feel it's the best place for me to excel in both the pool and in the classroom!"
Josiah Fick (Stillwater, Minn. – Stillwater Area H.S.)
Top Marks
1M (six dives) – 372.05
1M (11 dives) – 545.10
3M - 359.05
Prep: As a springboard specialist, Fick arrives in Gold Country after diving his way to back-to-back MSHSL Class AA State Titles in the 1-meter springboard. Back in 2019, Fick also claimed first place in the 1-meter at the sectional championships, while being the 1-meter champion at the MSHSCA True Team State Championship. At the USA Diving Zone D Championships last year, he finished 24th on the 3-meter and 25th on the 1-meter while competing in the 16-18 Junior Olympics age group.
Why Minnesota: "It's been my goal since I started diving in eighth grade to compete for the University of Minnesota. Both the coaching staff and the facilities are top notch and the team is outstanding as well."
Lucas Farrar (Hartland, Wis. – Arrowhead H.S.)
Top Times
50 Free - 20.00
100 Free - 44.23
200 Free - 1:40.76
Prep: After sitting out the 2019-20 campaign with the Gophers in a redshirt season, Farrar joins a talented group of newcomers set to debut in 2020-21. As an All-American in the 50 free, 100 free and 400 free relay in 2018, Farrar enjoyed a successful career at Arrowhead High School. Also the former Journal Sentinel High School Swimmer of the Year, Farrar set four conference records, three sectionals records and another three school records over the course of his career. Farrar also previously competed for Lake Country Swim Team.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the athletic and academic opportunities presented to me. The team also showed a level of chemistry that I have never seen before from a sports team. I can see myself advancing my skills both in and out of the pool. Row the boat, go Gophs and Ski-U-Mah!"
William Christenson (Olympia, Wash. – Washington State H.S.)
Top Times
100 Fly – 50.83
200 Fly – 1:49.77
200 Free – 1:43.15
500 Free – 4:32.74
1000 Free – 9:30.56
1650 Free – 15:47.64
200 IM – 1:53.23
400 IM – 3:58.11
Prep: Christenson, a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, finaled and medaled at the Washington State Senior Short Course Championships in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Olympia native accomplished the same feat four times from 2016-19 at the Pacific Northwest Swimming Long Course Senior Championships as well, and was most recently a 2019 qualifier for the USA Swimming U.S. Open Championships. Christenson attended the Toyota U.S. Open as well as the Winter Junior National Championships West and the PNS Short Course Championships this past year, where he produced multiple personal best times in the latter two competitions. Christenson is a member of the Evergreen Swim Club.
Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the incredible team atmosphere and chemistry, as well as the rich culture. This was a place that I could not only be successful in the pool and in the classroom, but a place where I could learn and develop as a person."
Brock Aune (Brussels, Wis. – Sturgeon Bay H.S.)
Top Times
100 Breast – 57.60
200 Breast – 2:08.45
50 Free - 21.42
Prep: Aune's commitment to the Maroon and Gold comes on the heels of a stellar high school career at Sturgeon Bay. The Brussels native is a five-time All-State honoree, having accomplished the feat in the 200 medley relay (2018), 200 free relay (2018), 50 free (2019) and in the 100 breast in each of the past two seasons. As a two-sport letterwinner in swimming and golf, Aune is also a former YMCA National Finalist and an Academic Honor Roll recipient. Aune finished third in the 100 breast at Sectionals this past February, followed by another bronze finish at the WIAA Boys Division 2 State Championship. When not swimming for Sturgeon Bay, Aune competes for the Door County YMCA.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because of the unbeatable team environment, as well as the outstanding coaching staff and facilities. I really feel like Minnesota is a great place for me to grow athletically and academically."