TSC NCAA 2011-2012 Mid-Season Awards: SEC

The next set of mid-season awards will go out to the SEC. Much as we discussed in the Big 12, these awards have to be taken with the context that Florida didn’t go anywhere near a rest meet, and thus will have a chance to be much more frequently-highlighted at year’s-end. The Gators did, however, start off their season very well (better than normal), especially their men’s freshmen.

There are a lot of subversively good programs in the SEC, and it seems as though almost everyone in the conference is getting better. With the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri (another improving program) next year, this will be bar-none the most exciting conference championship meet in the country (with all due respect to the Pac-12).

Let’s take a look at the midseason update for the SEC:

Women’s Swimmer of the Semester – Anna Vanderpool-Wallace, Auburn – Anna Vanderpool-Wallace continued to turn heads in the sprint world when, at the Georgia Invite, she swam a 46.99 in the women’s 100 free, which is by far the fastest in-season time ever done by a college swimmer (for those curious, the next-best is A&M’s Triin Aljand from the 2008 Art Adamson Invitational). For those who don’t think that AVW can be an Olympic medalist (she’s better short course than long, partially because of her height) – believe it. This swim shows she’s a sprint medal contender in London.
Honorable Mentions: Amanda Kendall, LSU; Melanie Margalis, Georgia; Elisabeth Beisel, Florida; Megan Romano, Georgia

Men’s Swimmer of the Semester – Kyle Owens, Auburn – Battles for this award are usually pretty tight within conferences, but in this year’s SEC Owens has clearly stood out among the competition. That includes leading the conference in the 100/200 backstrokes and the 200 IM, as well as sitting 3rd in the 100 fly (which is the big hole in the Auburn roster). The 100 back is where he could do something really special – he currently sits 5th in the country, and the national backstroke field is not as deep as it’s been.
Honorable Mentions: Martin Grodzki, Georgia; Marcelo Chierighini, Auburn; Alex Coci, Alabama

Women’s Coach of the Semester – Jack Bauerle, Georgia – It’s fun to give awards to the lesser-known coaches, but sometimes the masters need their recognition too. Bauerle is doing some of the best work of his career right now – both in his recruiting, and in the development of the freshman class. Sure, Amber McDermott was the #1 recruit in the country. But the way that swimmers like Jordan Mattern, Lauren Harrington, Maddie Locus, and many others have developed right alongside her will make a big impact on the class of 2013 (cough, Missy Franklin). By next fall, with Allison Schmitt back for her final season, the Bulldogs will be right back in the hunt for National Championships.
Honorable Mentions: Dave Geyer, LSU; Gregg Troy, Florida

Men’s Coach of the Semester – Eric McIlquham, Alabama – High school swimming in Alabama is thin, at best. Every now-and-then, a great swimmer or two pops up, but nothing sustainable. A lot of heads have always been scratched about how Auburn fits into that statebut what’s even harder to explain is that there are now TWO good swim programs in the state. What the Crimson Tide are doing might escape you if you’re just perusing the times databases for the season, but scope out their results from Winter Nationals in long course. Alex Coci took 3rd in the 100 fly (52.96) in the 100 fly; and Anestis Arampatzis took 4th in the 200 fly in 2:00.04. BJ Hornikel was 16th in the 100 free. They’ve got a great freshman diver Tito Ebersole. The Tide are going to surprise some people at SEC’s.
Honorable Mentions: Brett Hawke, Auburn; Dave Geyer, LSU

Women’s Freshman of the Semester – Amber McDermott, Georgia – This was a pretty easy decision. Her 4:34.55 is already the fastest a freshman has ever been in the event. She’s also been very good in the mile – breaking 16 minutes for the first time career, and sitting second in the conference only behind the three-time champ Wendy Trott. She’ll probably tack on the 400 IM at NCAA’s, where a great triad with Melanie Margalis and Jana Mangimelli (MMM!).
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Mattern, Georgia; Kaylin Burchell, Alabama; Lauren Herrington, Georgia

Men’s Freshman of the Semester – Jared Markham, Georgia – Markham is taking over the mantle for former Bulldog Bill Cregar atop the conference in the 400 IM. In fact, he’s the fastest freshman in the country this year in the event. He’s also gone great times in the 200 back (1:45.17), 100 back, and 200 IM. Honorable-mention honors go to teammate Nic Fink who has given the Bulldogs the breaststroker that they so badly needed at just the write time.
Honorable Mentions: Nic Fink, Georgia; Matthew Elliott, Florida; Frank Greef, LSU; 

Women’s Favorite to Win – Georgia Bulldogs – The Georgia women are looking for an SEC threepeat, and there doesn’t seem to be another SEC team with enough depth to compete with them at the conference level. The Auburn women are going to win a few relays (probably the 200 free at least, and perhaps the 200 medley or 400 free relay as well), but not enough to make up for how well the Bulldog freshmen are swimming. The Florida Gators were the runners-up last year, and if you were just comparing returning points, they’d probably be the favorite. But I’d bet that most of their top swimmers will train through SEC’s, whereas (if history serves) Baurle will give his freshmen some significant rest for the meet.

Men’s Favorite to Win – Auburn Tigers – As of now, the Tigers appear to be in the driver’s seat to continue their streak of SEC titles. Their sprinters are too good and too deep for anyone to knock them off. The battle for 2nd and 3rd, however, could be extremely interesting.

Women’s Breakout Swimmer – Olivia Scott, Auburn – Auburn sophomore Olivia Scott broke the Auburn School Record in the 100 fly in 51.87 – and she seems to have more left to give. If you combine her on the back-half of those medley relays with Vanderpool-Wallace, they’ll have every relay in the country nervous at NCAA’s.
Honorable Mention: Kelsey Gaid, Georgia; Sara Haley, LSU

Men’s Breakout Swimmer of the Semester – Andrei Tuomola, LSU – His best times this season (53.99 in the 100 breast -1st in the conference, and 43.78 in the 100 free) aren’t notable as best times. Each is about a tenth off of his lifetime best. They’re notable because of prior-year comparisons. In the past two seasons, his in-season times in these events have been rather pedestrian – a 55 in the 100 breaststroke and a 45 in the 100 free. Imagine if he cuts those same 2 seconds off of his mid-season times this year. Even if he knocks down a single second, the results will be spectacular.
Honorable Mentions: Renato Promo, Tennessee;  Alex Coci, Tennessee

Don’t Forget About in the Second Half – Amanda Ruqtvist, South Carolina – Last year, as only a freshman from low-profile South Carolina, Ruqtvist crushed the SEC record in the 200 breast by a full second. She only sits 4th in that event this season – at a 2:11 – and it’s easy to let her slip out of your mind because she’s not at one of the powerhouse programs. But look out, because she’ could be relevant in the national title battle in this event come the end of the season.