OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University swimming and diving head coach Samantha Pitter has announced the addition of six transfer student-athletes to her program ahead of the 2025-26 season.

"We are thrilled to have so many talented transfers join our program this fall," said Pitter. "Not only are they great additions to the pool, but they are committed to the development of our team culture and helping us continue on the tradition of graduating champions here at Miami."

Sarah Pophal, Hendrik Bechtel, Noam Kulbak, Michal Piela, Jacob Ratkovich and Pablo Silva will join the RedHawks this fall. Each of these athletes has the potential to make significant impact at the MVC and MAC Championships in February.


Sarah Pophal, Swimmer, Cleveland, Ohio (Hawken High School/Purdue)
Prior to Miami:

• Holds personal bests in the 500 (4:53.77) and the 1650 (17:04.21) free that would have placed her in the top eight of both events at the 2025 MAC Championships
• Team captain as a senior in high school
• Division 2 Ohio State Champ in the 500 free during her junior and senior year of high school
• All-American in the 500 free as a junior and senior in high school

Hendrik Bechtel, Cologne, North-Rhine Westfalia, Germany (Wirtschaftsgymnasium Südstadt/Missouri-St. Louis)
Prior to Miami:

• His best times in the 200 (1:39.74), 500 (4:25.91) and 1650 (15:37.86) freestyle would have placed 12th, second and third respectively at the 2025 MVC Championships
• Holds the school record at Missouri-St. Louis in the 500 free and 1000 free
• German National Championship finalist and medalist as a senior in high school

Noam Kulbak, Diver, Highland Park, Ill. (Highland Park High School/Louisville)
Prior to Miami:

• Noam is the 2024 Illinois State Diving Champion 
• Team captain as a senior in high school
• Junior National Championship Semi-Finalist
• Highland Park High School 6 & 11 dive record holder

Michal Piela, Swimmer, Oswiecim, Poland (Chemik/Pittsburgh)
Prior to Miami:

• Comes in with times that would have won the 400 IM (3:43.75) and 500 free (4:21.32) at the 2025 MVC Championships
• Also recorded times that would put him as a top-three finisher in three other events ranging from the 200 IM (1:45.25), 200 Fly (1:45.16) and 1650 free (15:36.02)
• 11 Time Polish National Champion and the 2022 European Junior Champion in the 400 IM

Jacob Ratkovich, Swimmer, Magnolia, Texas (Magnolia West High School/Cincinnati)
Prior to Miami:

• Jacob comes in the with one of the top 100 fly times (48.78) on the team and will add much needed depth to sprint freestyle events
• Holds records at Magnolia West High School in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay

Pablo Silva, Swimmer, Henrico, Virginia (Godwin High School/Virginia Tech)
Prior to Miami:

• His best times in the 100 (54.78) and 200 (1:57.07) yard breaststroke would have placed him as a top-eight finisher at the 2025 MVC championships (his 200 breast best would have won the conference last year)
• Pablo would have been a top-12 finisher in the 200 IM (1:48.72) at the 2025 MVC championships
• Holds high school records in the 100 breast and 200 IM