The East Carolina swimming and diving program handed out its year-end team awards at its annual banquet earlier this week. Overall the Pirates set 16 school records with 69 performances ranking among the ECU all-time top-10.
The season was highlighted by a third straight American Athletic Conference title for the men’s team and a 25th consecutive winning season for the women. ECU captured nine American event championships; posted 47 all-conference finishes and recorded 32 NCAA qualifying marks.
“We had another outstanding year as a program,” ECU Head Coach Rick Kobe said. “Our staff couldn’t be prouder of the team and all they accomplished this season.
“This may have been the toughest year to pick individuals for awards. We had so many great performances and moments throughout the year it really made it tough to choose.”
Junior John Myhre was selected as the team’s Most Outstanding Male Swimmer. He posted the Pirates’ top times in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle and earned all-conference accolades in seven events.
Myhre also received the Performance-of-the-Year award for his three individual triumphs at the American Athletic Conference Championships, winning gold in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle. Newcomer Gustavo Santos shared the award with Myhre for his gold medal performance at the league championships in the 100-yard butterfly.
Senior Marion Abert and junior Julie Lajoie were chosen as co-winners of the Most Outstanding Female Swimmer Award. Abert collected a trio of medals at The American Championships, set four individual varsity records and was a part of two record-setting relay teams. Lajoie earned two medals at the conference championships, posted two NCAA B qualifying times and set the ECU record in the 400 IM.
Abert was also selected as the team’s Most Outstanding Female Newcomer and Lajoie was named the recipient of the Most Improved Female Swimmer Award.
Redshirt junior Alicia Roueche was voted Most Outstanding Diver, qualifying for the NCAA Zone Regional Championship and ranking among the top-5 in The American on platform and the three-meter springboard.
Freshman Blaz Demsar received the team’s Most Outstanding Male Newcomer Award as he posted the squad’s fastest time in the 200-yard butterfly and second-fastest in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle, setting the ECU freshman record in the 200-yard freestyle. He also earned all-conference honors in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard butterfly as well as the 800-yard freestyle relay.
Sophomore Tristan Taylor earned Most Improved Male Swimmer honors on the men’s side. He ranked among the top-3 on the squad in the 50, 100 and 200-yard backstroke as well as the 200-yard IM. Junior Taylor Berkey was selected as the Pirates’ Most Improved Diver for the second straight season.
Junior Vendela Norrman received the ladies’ Performance-of-the-Year award for her record-setting, gold medal victory in the 200-yard breaststroke at The American Championships. She won the event by more than two seconds and received an invitation to compete in the NCAA Championships.
2016-17 ECU Swimming & Diving Award Winners
Most Outstanding Pirate
· Male Swimmer: John Myhre
· Female Swimmer(s): Marion Abert and Julie Lajoie
· Diver: Alicia Roueche
Most Outstanding Newcomer
· Male Swimmer: Blaz Demsar
· Female Swimmer: Marion Abert
Most Improved Pirate
· Male Swimmer: Tristan Taylor
· Female Swimmer: Julie Lajoie
· Diver: Taylor Berkey
Performance-of-the-Year
· Male Swimmer(s): Gustavo Santos – The American 100-yard butterfly; John Myhre – The American Athletic Conference Championship
· Female Swimmer: Vendela Norrman – The American 200-yard breaststroke
The ECU Athletic Department also presents awards to recognize the year’s accomplishments across all sports. Swimming & Diving captured 5 of the 12 athletic Goldspy awards this year, and lead all programs with 14 athletes carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.
GOLDSPY AWARD WINNERS
Moment of the Year: Men’s Swimming & Diving AAC 3-Peat
Team of the Year: Men’s Swimming & Diving
Coach of the Year: Head Coach Rick Kobe
Female Athlete of the Year: Marion Abert
• Abert set program records in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle. She was a part of two ECU record-setting relay teams as well in the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle. At the AAC Conference Championships, she was named All-AAC in the 800 freestyle relay, 500 freestyle and the 1,650 freestyle. ECU’s High scorer at the AAC Championships with 49pts. Scored 237 regular season points, with 23 event wins on the season.
Ms. Pirate: Vendela Norrman
• American Athletic Conference 200 Breaststroke Champion. NCAA Qualifier & Participant in the 100 & 200 Breaststroke. Scored 140 regular season points, with 21 top 3 performances including 11 event wins. Has completed 22hrs Community Service & a leader for her team throughout the entire year.
The coaching staff was very proud of the team this season. When asked what it means to the staff to see the team receive so many awards, Associate Head Coach Matthew Jabs said “It’s a great feeling to see our kids get recognition for all of their hard work. ECU has so many great athletes & coaches, to see our kids chosen out of that elite group is pretty special.”
News courtesy of East Carolina Athletics.
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