After claiming both the men’s and women’s Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championship titles in February, the Texas Longhorns lead the way for the 2015-16 Big 12 Swimming and Diving postseason honors. As voted on by fellow conference coaches, UT collected eight of the 10 accolades, while Kansas took the final two.
MEN’S SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
Joseph Schooling, Texas, So., Singapore
Schooling set NCAA, Big 12 and Texas records in both the 100 fly and 200 fly, en route to two NCAA titles in both events. The sophomore played an integral part in the 800 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay, all which captured national titles, setting NCAA, Big 12 and school records in the process. The Singapore native was also named 2016 CSCAA NCAA Division 1 Men’s Swimmer of the Year.
WOMEN’S SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
Chelsie Miller, Kansas, Sr., Houston, Texas
Miller set school records in the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle and 200 fly. The senior qualified for her third straight NCAA Championship, swimming in the 200 fly, along with the 200 and 400 individual medley. The Jayhawk earned All-America accolades after placing eighth in the 400 IM at the NCAA Championships, marking the first KU student-athlete to place in the top eight since 1993.
MEN’S DIVER OF THE YEAR
Mark Anderson, Texas, Jr., Lake Forest, Calif.
For the second consecutive year, Anderson proved to be the only Big 12 diver to score on all three boards at the NCAA Championships. The junior earned All-America honors in the one-meter and platform events and honorable mention All-America honors on the three-meter. Additionally, Anderson won the three-meter and platform dive at the Big 12 Championship in February.
WOMEN’S DIVER OF THE YEAR
Meghan Houston, Texas, Sr., Austin, Texas
Houston placed 18th on the one-meter dive at the NCAA Championships, marking the highest finish by a Big 12 diver this season. The senior took the conference crown on the one-meter and three-meter dive at the Big 12 Championship and was named Women’s Diver of the Meet.
MEN’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Townley Haas, Texas, Fr., Richmond, Va.
Haas made a clean sweep of the record books, setting American, NCAA, NCAA Championship, U.S. Open, pool, Big 12 and school records in the 200 freestyle, taking the national title in the event, along with the 500 freestyle. The freshman also played an important role on the 800 freestyle relay that won a NCAA crown. Haas took first in the 500 freestyle and the 200 freestyle at the Big 12 Championship and was selected as the Men’s Newcomer of the meet.
WOMEN’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Joanna Evans, Texas, Fr., The Bahamas
Evans earned Big 12 titles in the 500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle at the conference championship, being named Women’s Swimmer of the Meet. At the NCAA Championships, the freshman finished 17th in the 500 freestyle, while also competing in the 200 freestyle and the 1,650 freestyle. The Bahamas native became the first Longhorn in 24 years to eclipse the 4:40 mark in the 500 freestyle, swimming a 4:39.97 at the Big 12 Championship.
MEN’S SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR
Eddie Reese, Texas, 38th Season
Texas head coach Eddie Reese guided the Longhorns to their 20th consecutive Big 12 Championship title and 12th overall NCAA National Championship during the 2015-16 season. UT won the NCAA championship with a total 541.5 points, nearly 100 points ahead of second place California. The win this season marked the Longhorns’ third straight top three finish and marked their 37th consecutive top 10 finish at the NCAA Championship.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR
Clark Campbell, Kansas, 14th Season
Kansas head coach Clark Campbell helped guide the Jayhawks to a second place finish at the 2016 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championship, the team’s highest since the 2013-14 season. KU tallied a team score of 650.5, highest score in school history at a Big 12 Championship.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S DIVING COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Scoggin, Texas, 22nd Season
In his 24th season as the Texas head diving coach, Matt Scoggin earned his fifth consecutive men’s diving coach of the year honor. He placed multiple divers in the NCAA Championship and helped the Longhorns secure multiple top performances at both the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Championships.
Above is a press release courtesy of the Big 12.
