Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Tamas Hajtman receives the Ruth Berry and Thomas A. Newton Athletic Scholarship
03/13/2019 | 4:28:00 | Swimming & Diving
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Tamas Hajtman, a junior from Bekescsaba, Hungary and member of the Saluki Swimming team, received the Ruth Berry and Thomas A. Newton Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Hajtman joined the Salukis after swimming one year at the University of Wyoming.
"Tamas has already made a significant impact on our program," said head swimming and diving coach Rick Walker. "I view him as a diamond in the rough and he has already begun to shine a little bit."
While at Wyoming, Hajtman swam in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly at the 2017 Western Athletic Conference Championship. He also recorded a first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle against Colorado Mesa and recorded eight top-five finishes, one in the 50-yard freestyle, two in the 100-yard freestyle and four in the 100-yard butterfly. In 2018, his first season as a Saluki, Hajtman made the All-MAC second team. He swam the fifth-fastest 100-yard butterfly (48.31) in Saluki history at the MAC Championships and was a member of the 200-yard relay that swam the third-fastest time in Saluki history. Hajtman also placed first in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly against Ouachita Baptist University and again verses Evansville. He won the 50-yard freestyle at the Butler Invite and was part of four Saluki relay teams that set their fastest times on the year.
"I've really enjoyed the short amount of time I've spent here," said Hajtman. "Through the support of my coaches and teammates, I can honestly say I've found a home here at SIU. It feels great to be a Saluki!"
Ruth Berry graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1932 with a bachelor's degree in Education and Human Services. Thomas A. Newton played football for SIU from 1926-1929 and received a bachelor's degree in Education and Human Services. Thomas is known for his good judgment, enthusiasm, and his determination to fight for the school throughout his life. In November 1975, Ruth Berry passed away and in May 1989, Thomas passed away; both Ruth and Thomas were lifetime supporters of Saluki Athletics.
"Tamas is very deserving of this scholarship," said Walker. "His future holds an awful lot. He means a lot to our program right now and I think he'll really solidify that in the years to come."
To see a full list of athletic endowments, click HERE.
"Tamas has already made a significant impact on our program," said head swimming and diving coach Rick Walker. "I view him as a diamond in the rough and he has already begun to shine a little bit."
While at Wyoming, Hajtman swam in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly at the 2017 Western Athletic Conference Championship. He also recorded a first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle against Colorado Mesa and recorded eight top-five finishes, one in the 50-yard freestyle, two in the 100-yard freestyle and four in the 100-yard butterfly. In 2018, his first season as a Saluki, Hajtman made the All-MAC second team. He swam the fifth-fastest 100-yard butterfly (48.31) in Saluki history at the MAC Championships and was a member of the 200-yard relay that swam the third-fastest time in Saluki history. Hajtman also placed first in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly against Ouachita Baptist University and again verses Evansville. He won the 50-yard freestyle at the Butler Invite and was part of four Saluki relay teams that set their fastest times on the year.
"I've really enjoyed the short amount of time I've spent here," said Hajtman. "Through the support of my coaches and teammates, I can honestly say I've found a home here at SIU. It feels great to be a Saluki!"
Ruth Berry graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1932 with a bachelor's degree in Education and Human Services. Thomas A. Newton played football for SIU from 1926-1929 and received a bachelor's degree in Education and Human Services. Thomas is known for his good judgment, enthusiasm, and his determination to fight for the school throughout his life. In November 1975, Ruth Berry passed away and in May 1989, Thomas passed away; both Ruth and Thomas were lifetime supporters of Saluki Athletics.
"Tamas is very deserving of this scholarship," said Walker. "His future holds an awful lot. He means a lot to our program right now and I think he'll really solidify that in the years to come."
To see a full list of athletic endowments, click HERE.
Players Mentioned
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