NEWARK, N.J. — NJIT Men's Swimming and Diving head coach Ron Farina has announced the 12-member recruiting class that will join the Highlander program this Fall.

Continuing their academic and athletic careers at NJIT are: Oxford Bayley, RJ Farina, Ryan Hoger, John Kim, Josh Kim, Zac Kuzak, Michael McGillycuddy, Dylan Ostolaza, Hirad Sharifian, Reilly Vann, Ryan Wilbur, and Keegan Wooding.

PLAYER PROFILES

OXFORD BAYLEY | NELSON, NEW ZEALAND | NELSON COLLEGE HS | TASMAN SWIM CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Nelson College HS and for Tasman Swim Club for head coach Shaun Foley…earned age-group open water and pool national titles during his scholastic career…academically, earned Level II academic and sporting colours, as well as a Board of Trustees Medallion…also participated in rugby, running, triathlon, and rowing…plans to focus on the Mid/Distance Freestyle.

Personal: Oxford Rushton Bayley…son of Sloane & Stephen Bayley…plans to major in Mechanical Engineering

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Oxford is traveling halfway around the world to swim for NJIT. After numerous training interruptions in New Zealand due to COVID-19, Oxford has finally been able to train consistently and is looking for considerable time drops this year. He will help solidify our Mid/Distance Free group, with his specialty being 200/500/1000/1650 Free."


RJ FARINA | EASTON, PA | NOTRE DAME GREEN POND HS | PARKLAND AQUATIC CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Notre Dame Green Pond for head coach Ron Farina and for Parkland Aquatic Club for coach Jacob Thielen…five-time District XI Champion…PIAA state runner up and three-time bronze medalist.

Personal: Ronald Richard Farina, Jr…son of NJIT head coach Ron Farina and Amy Farina…plans to major in Business.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"RJ is the most versatile swimmer in the class of 2026. RJ will come in as one of our top swimmers in the 100/200/500 freestyle, 200/400 IM, and 100/ 200 Breaststroke. The hardest part for RJ will be deciding what three events he would have the best chance to Final at the America East Championships. I obviously can't wait to 'coach' him!"

RYAN HOGER | MARLTON, NJ | CHEROKEE HS | MLY PHOENIX YMCA
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Cherokee for head coach Matt Acciani and for the MLY Phoenix YMCA for coach Chris Brookover…Super Chief Award, two-time team Most Valuable Athlete and Team Captain…YMCA National Qualifier and New Jersey State Finalist.

Personal: Ryan Donald Hoger…son of Sean and Deanne Hoger…plans to major in Engineering.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Ryan is a very raw talent and has a ton of potential. He will be a great addition to our sprint freestyle group and add some depth to our backstroke group and freestyle relays."

JOHN KIM | CLOSTER, NJ | NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL HS AT DEMAREST | WYCKOFF FAMILY YMCA
Prior To NJIT: Competed at NVRHS Demarest for head coach Michael Kilduff and for the Wyckoff Family YMCA for coach Francesca Peta.

Personal: John Hosoo Kim…son of Hyon Park…plans to major in Computer Science.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"John was a late addition to the class, however, his strength in the 100/200 freestyle will be a huge boost to that group. His versatility in the 200 IM and 100 back as well will make him an America East A finalist dark horse."

JOSH KIM | FAIRFAX, VA | TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | NATION'S CAPITAL SWIM CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Trinity Christian for head coach Alyssa Knauf and for Nation's Capital Swim Club for coach Jessica Fry-Mack…VISAA Division II Team State Champion, First Team All-State, All-Conference, and All-District…VCAC and Colonial Swim League Record Holder…DAC and VCAC Swimmer of the Year…TCS Outstanding Player Award.

Personal: Joshua Yoonsae Kim…son of Robert and Sook-Young Kim…plans to major in Computer Science.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Josh comes to NJIT from Nation's Capital Swim Club. After a successful season, Josh is among our top six 100/200 freestylers and we are looking forward to some nice drops this year."

ZAC KUZAK | KIRKLAND, QUEBEC, CANADA | BEACONSFIELD HS/JOHN ABBOTT COLLEGE | POINTE CLAIRE SWIM CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Beaconsfield for head coach Phil Garverick and attended John Abbott in Montreal...Member of the Canadian Youth Team in 2019...Eastern Canadian Championships Relay Gold Medalist in 2022....Top Provincial Champion in 2018...holder of a number of indivdual and relay records for Pointe Claire...competed at the Mel's Zajac international competition...academically, Recipient  of the Governor General Academic Medal of Excellence in 2020...high school Valedictorian in 2020.

Personal: Zachary Kuzak…son of Julie Jackson…plans to major in Financial Technology.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Zac will help solidify our freestyle events. He is a hard worker and has the potential to score in the A final at America East in 50/100/200 free and be a huge contributor to our 200/400/800 freestyle relays."


MIKE MCGILLYCUDDY | NANUET, NY | CLARKSTOWN SOUTH HS | CONDORS SWIM CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Clarkstown South for head coach Theo Tomlajanovich and Condors Swim Club for coach Jim Wargo…All-Section Team last two seasons (2020-22)...New York State Championship Qualifier (2019-22).

Personal: Michael Kevin McGillycuddy…son of Claire and Kevin McGillycuddy…plans to major in Computer Science.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Mike will add some nice depth to our freestyle, backstroke and IM groups."


DYLAN OSTOLAZA | PARSIPPANY, NJ | PARSIPPANY HILLS HS | LAKELAND HILLS FAMILY YMCA KIERA CRUZ
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Par Hills for head coach William Soden and Lakeland Hills Family YMCA for coach Kiera Cruz…All-Conference performer

Personal: Dylan Sebastian Ostolaza…son of Michele and Sebastian Ostolaza…plans to major in Business

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Dylan will have an immediate impact in our program. He has the potential to be an America East finalist in the 50 free, 100 back and 200 back and will add some versatility to our relays and IM events."


HIRAD SHARIFIAN | NEW PROVIDENCE NJ | GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HS | SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD YMCA
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Governor Livingston for head coach David Closs and Scotch Plains-Fanwood YMCA for coach Chris Karelus…scholastic awards include Most Valuable Swimmer, County Record holder, four-time county champion…set over 20 records over club career.

Personal: Hirad Sharifian…son of Farzaneh Daliriyazdi and Saeed Sharifian…plans to major in Biomedical Engineering…Born in Tehran, Iran.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Hirad has only begun to tap into his potential. He should have an immediate impact on our team and the America East Conference in multiple events. As a multiple YMCA National finalist, his focus this year in the pool will be the 50/100/200 free and 100 fly."


REILLY VANN | DUBLIN, OHIO | HILLIARD DAVIDSON HIGH SCHOOL | UNITED SWIM ASSOCIATION
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Hilliard Davidson for head coach Lynn Bowers and United Swim Association for coach Chris Hadden…State Championship Qualifier in 500 freestyle…Open Water State champion

Personal: Reilly Parker Vann…son of Richard and KC Vann…plans to major in Chemical Engineering…mother KC Vann swam at the Ohio State University…brother Brady Vann swims at Gardner-Webb University.

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Reilly will be a nice addition to our freestyle lane and will add some versatility in the IM and backstroke events."


RYAN WILBUR | FLEMINGTON, NJ | NORTH HUNTERDON HS | GREATER SOMERSET COUNTY YMCA
Prior To NJIT: Competed at North Hunterdon for head coach Michael Schuetz and Greater Somerset County YMCA for coach Mary Korey…Four- Year Varsity letterwinner…Senior Year Team MVP

Personal: Ryan Donald Wilbur…son of Erin and Kevin Wilbur…plans to major in Biomedical Engineering

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Ryan is one of our three additions to our distance freestyle group this year. Ryan has potential to be an America East A finalist in the 1650 free and add valuable points in the 500 free and 400 IM."


KEEGAN WOODING | NORTH CHILI, NY | CHURCHVILLE CHILI SENIOR HS | VICTOR SWIM CLUB
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Churchville Chili Senior for head coach Chelsea Whitney and Victor Swim Club for coach Michael Murray…two-time team MVP…All Greater Rochester and All Monroe County selection…NYS Meet Finalist in the 500 free…USA Swimming Futures Qualifier…academically, graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Personal: Keegan Robert Wooding…son of Amy and Andrew Wooding…plans to major in Computer Science

QUOTE FROM COACH FARINA
"Keegan will be a huge boost to our Mid- Distance group with America East A final potential in both the 500/1650. Plus his versatility in the 400 IM and 200 Fly will add much needed depth for us in these events."