Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Signs Four to National Letters of Intent
12/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Dec. 6, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern Head Coach Bob Groseth and Head Diving Coach Tom Michael have announced the signing of four future Wildcats to National Letters of Intent. Swimmers Adam Beckman (Kearney, Neb./Kearney), Alexander Hostoffer (Gates Mills, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) and Eric Nilsson (Weston, Mass./Weston) will join diver Alexander Kiaie (Fox Point, Wis./Nicolet) in matriculating to NU in 2005.
The most decorated swimmer in Kearney High's history, Beckman became the first Bearcat to win a state championship when he won the 200-yard individual medley in 2003.
In the 2004 state meet, Beckman won the 200-IM for the second straight year and also captured first-place in the 100-yard backstroke. He was also a member of Kearney's runner-up 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.
Hostoffer recorded a pair of top-10 finishes in the 2004 Ohio state meet, finishing sixth in the 100 breast and eighth in the 200 IM. His time of 57.98 in the 100 breast was the ninth-fastest high school time in the country, earning him All-America honors. His time in the 200 IM was an All-America consideration time.
Nilsson is a strong freestyler and took the gold medal in the 400 IM at the 2004 New England Swimming Open Championships. At that meet he also took second in the 500 free and third in the 100 back, 200 free, 200 fly and 200 back.
Nilsson already holds the Weston High School records in the 200 free (1:42.60) and the 500 free (4:36.48).
Kiaie enters his senior year as a two-time all-state honoree. He won his conference and sectional championships and was second in the state during his junior season, also earning All-America accolades. He finished second on the 1-meter and third on the 3-meter boards at the YMCA Winter Nationals in 2004.
"I am very happy to be signing Alex," Michael said. "He will add even more depth to our already strong men's diving program. He has experience in both springboard and platform events. Joining his former club teammate Mike Oxman and current freshman Ryan McIntosh, Alex will help Northwestern Diving have its strongest program ever."
