Dec 8, 2007 — After donning the orange and black of York Suburban, Harry Foster won't have to change his primary color when he swims for Clemson University next season.

Foster, who won a silver medal in the 200 freestyle, a bronze in the 100 butterfly and was a part of the state champion 400 free relay at the 2007 PIAA Class AA meet, said it came down to Clemson and Penn State.

"I had a hard time turning down Penn State, because it is the home state school," he said. "But Clemson was recruiting me a little more, and I just went with my gut feeling."

Clemson also had a couple of other things going for it, as Foster said the Tigers will graduate their main butterfly swimmers, creating a need he will fill nicely.

Plus, he already knows 2007 PIAA champions David Gordon of Emmaus and Kyle Shoemaker of Saucon Valley, who entered Clemson this fall.

In fact, it was Shoemaker who bested Foster by .01 seconds in the fly at the state meet, meaning Tigers coach Christopher Ip will have a nice gathering of PIAA swimmers to work with.

"Having those two there, it is a lot more comfortable," Foster said. "I went down on a trip and really liked the campus."

The Pennsylvania connection doesn't stop with the swimmers either, as Ip is a Swarthmore native who swam at East Stroudsburg.

"Harry has demonstrated that he can excel during finals in the extremely high pressured PIAA championships and YMCA Nationals," Ip said. "Both his high school and club team

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are rich with traditions of success. Harry is a team player who will adapt to our traditions and team atmosphere."

When Foster joins the Tigers, he will be the second YAIAA standout to head to the Atlantic Coast Conference in as many years, joining Dover grad Jon Rubritz, who is currently swimming at Florida State.

Foster said that his good friend Rubritz will help him prepare for the college swimming grind.

"I realize it is going to be demanding," he said. "That keeps you from slacking off and that challenges you. That is what everybody needs."

Reach Steve Navaroli at 771-2060 or snavaroli@ydr.com.