April 20, 2012

AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass men's and women's swimming and diving teams celebrated their 2011-12 seasons this week with the annual banquet and awards night at the Campus Center. The men won their 14th Atlantic 10 Championship and sixth in a row, and the women finished fourth in the conference.

Women's head coach Bob Newcomb handed out five individual awards to his swimmers, while diving head coach Mandy Hixon awarded two divers. He also recognized Molly Elkins for being selected to the 2012 Academic All-Conference Team.

Newcomb also honored his seniors, Chelsea Downing, Molly Papish, Dorothy Polatin, Elizabeth Sullivan and Sarah Arnott for their tremendous contributions over their careers as a Minutewomen.

Men's head coach Russ Yarworth passed out eight awards to his team, in addition to honoring Chris Inglis, Alex Merkulov and Troy Nichols to the 2012 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team.

Yarworth honored his three seniors, Joey Sbordon, Kyle Jennings and Jason Cook for their outstanding careers with UMass. He also took the time to name Tim O'Neill, Beau Garufi and Inglis captains for the 2012-13 season.

Men's Awards
MVP: Chris Inglis

Minuteman Award: Kyle Jennings

 Most Improved: Beau Garufi

 S.T.U.D Award: Joey Sbordon 

Diver Dude Award: Conor Dunn 

Rookie of the Year: Hao Luong 

Iron Man Award: Eric Zeimetz 

Coaches' Award: Mike Glenn

Women's Awards
MOST VALUABLE
The Most Valuable Award is presented as a result of a vote from the team members and coaches.It is awarded to the swimmer or diver that has done the most for the team by scoring points, being a team leader, setting records and being a positive influence in the success of the program.

Zoe Judd

MOST IMPROVED
The Most Improved Award is presented as a result of a vote from the team members and coaching staff. It is awarded to the swimmer or diver that has improved the most over the course of the season or several seasons. Taken into account should be athletic achievement, attitude or academic success.

Kelsey Hinrichs

MINUTEMAN AWARD
The Minuteman Award is given by the coaching staff. This award recognizes someone who has gone beyond the call to help with the overall success of the team and represents, at a very high level, that which we strive for in the Women's Swimming and Diving Program.

Sarah Arnott

ROOKIE of the YEAR
This award is presented by a vote of the coaching staff. It is presented to the freshman that has made an outstanding contribution in their first year of participation with our program.

Katie Arnott

SPIKE AWARD
The Spike Award is given by the coaching staff. It is presented to the individual who has shown the highest level of workout performance in all aspects of the sport.

Anna Cavanaugh

Women's Diving Awards
Most Valuable Diver: Michaela Butler
Most Improved Diver: Mary Atkinson