GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota head women's swimming and diving coach Steve Parsons announced today the award winners from this year's annual end of the season awards banquet.
Most Valuable: Veronica Medon (Jr., Huntsville, Ontario)
- Second straight year voted most valuable
"Veronica had a season to remember this year," Parsons said. "She stepped things up not only in the water, but also out of the pool as a team captain. She has shown her abilities every meet and is a racer at heart. It is great to see her win the MVP award a second straight year."
Newcomer of the Year: Rachael Wessman (Fr., Fargo, N.D.)
"Rachael was a big surprise for the coaching staff," Parsons said. "She is still very raw and has a big upside for improving. Rachael was our fastest sprinter and never shied away from a challenge."
Most Improved: Morgan Lynch (So., Elk River, Minn.)
"Morgan had a shortened season last year due to illness, so this was her first complete season," Parsons said. "She really shined for us this year, breaking three varsity records. She definitely proved worthy of this award."
Mike Haase "Rookie of the Year": Cassidy Tangeman (Fr., Shakopee, Minn.)
"Cassidy won the team's heart with her good nature and off the wall comments throughout the season," Parsons said. "She won the Mike Haase award by a big margin."
Diver of the Year: Megan Keidel (Sr., Bismarck, N.D.)
"There was one diver that stood out from the rest all season and that was Megan," Parsons said. "She was a rock all season, including at the conference meet. When we talked about this award, Megan was a unanimous choice."
The Fighting Sioux women finished the season with a dual record of 7-8 and an eighth-place finish at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Swimming and Diving Championships, its first ever conference meet as a member of the WAC. Over the course of the season, 23 UND all-time top 10 times/scores were recorded, and a total of seven records fell.
NOTE: The most valuable awards are decided using points scored throughout the dual meet season, Newcomer of the Year, Diver of the Year, and most improved are voted on by the coaching staff, and the Mike Haase "Rookie of the Year" is voted on by the team members.
- Go Sioux -
