CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Members of the University of North Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were recognized Saturday, April 16 at the program’s annual banquet held at the Pope Box at Kenan Stadium.
UNC head coach Rich DeSelm led a banquet program, which recognized UNC’s Senior Class of 2016 as well as honoring previously announced award winners (see list at end of release).
Primarily, the evening’s program was centered on the announcement of the team’s own 2015-16 awards. Following is a complete list of Carolina’s 2015-16 team honorees:
Athletic Director’s Scholar-Athlete Awards (The Athletic Director’s Scholar-Athlete Award, begun in 1986, are presented annually by the UNC Athletic Director to the top student-athlete in each of UNC’s 28 varsity sports)
Women-Emma Nunn, Senior, Richmond, Va.; Men-Sam Lewis, Senior, Alpharetta, Ga.
Andrea Erban Memorial Award (The Andrea Erban Memorial Award is given each year to the most dedicated swimmer on the women’s team and honors Andrea Erban, a Tar Heel swimmer who passed away following her sophomore year in 2003)
Abby Fisher, Junior, Kinnelon, N.J.
Bruce Webster Memorial Award (The Bruce Webster Memorial Award us presented annually to the most dedicated member of the men’s team. The award honors former Tar Heel swimmer Bruce Webster, Class of 1981, who passed away in 1983)
Sam Lewis, Senior, Alpharetta, Ga.
Osterneck Family Awards (The Osterneck Family Award is given annually to the teams’ unsung heroes. The award honors long-time Tar Heel swimming benefactors Robert Osterneck, who passed away in 1991, and Rhoda Osterneck, who passed away in 2011, as well as her late mother Minnie Pitkus)
Women-Rachel Canty, Senior, Burke, Va.; Men-Kurt Wohlrab, Senior, Pinehurst, N.C.
Hill Carrow Spirit Awards (The Hill Carrow Spirit Award is presented annually in honor of former Tar Heel swimmer Hill Carrow, Class of 1977, to the swimmer on each team who exhibits the most school spirit)
Women-Annie Harrison, Senior, Oakville, Ontario; Men-Mitch DeForest, Senior, Cary, N.C.
Class of 1940 Blue Dolphin Awards (The Class of 1940 Blue Dolphin Award is given in honor of the Senior Class which founded UNC’s swimming and diving program in 1938-39 and is awarded to an individual who has made exceptional overall contributions to the Carolina swimming program)
Women-Karen Sneed, Administrative Assistant, UNC Swimming & Diving; Men-Paul Connell, UNC Swimming Public Address Announcer
David McInnis Diving Awards (The David McInnis Diving Awards honor David McInnis, Class of 1957, and winner twice of the John A. Futchenberg Award as the ACC’s top diver.)
Most Outstanding Diver: Women-Elissa Dawson, Sophomore, Durham, N.C.; Men-Jack Nyquist, Junior, Alpharetta, Ga.
Most Improved Diver: Women-Maria Lohman, Freshman, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Men-Ozzie Moyer, Senior, Harleysville, Pa.
The Richard E. Jamerson Memorial Awards (The Most Valuable, Most Outstanding and Most Improved Awards for both the men’s and women’s teams are all named for Richard E. Jamerson, who founded the University of North Carolina swimming program in 1938-39)
Most Improved Swimmer: Women-Hellen Moffitt, Junior, Alexandria, Va.; Men-Michael McBryan, Sophomore, Doylestown, Pa.
Most Outstanding Swimmer: Women-Hellen Moffitt, Junior, Alexandria, Va.; Men-Sam Lewis, Senior, Alpharetta, Ga.
Most Valuable Swimmer: Women-Ally Hardesty, Senior, Knoxville, Tenn.; Men-Nic Graesser, Senior, Wayne, Pa.
The Patrick & Mary Louise Earey Service Awards (Given for contributions to community service in honor of UNC swimming coach Pat Earey, who served from 1957 to 1974, and his widow, Mary Louise Earey)
Women-Abby Fisher, Junior, Kinnelon, N.J. & Katie McKay, Junior, Holmdel, N.J; Men-Jack Nyquist, Junior, Alpharetta, Ga.
Previously Announced 2015-16 Accolades
Carolina Baddour Leadership Academy Leaders of Distinction
Mitch DeForest, Annie Goessling, Ally Hardesty, Annie Harrison, Sam Lewis, Ozzie Moyer, Kacy Rhyne, Kendall Surhoff
2015-16 ACC Women’s Diving Coach of the Year
Abel Sanchez
2015-16 ACC Women’s Diver of the Year
Elissa Dawson
2015-16 All-ACC Team
Women: Elissa Dawson, Hellen Moffitt
Men: Henry Campbell, Ben Colley, Sam Lewis, Jack Nyquist
2015-16 NCAA Qualifiers
Women: Caroline Baldwin, Rachel Canty, Elissa Dawson, Lauren Earp, Zhada Fields, Abby Fisher, Ally Hardesty, Annie Harrison, Sarah Hitchens, Sarah Koucheki, Maria Lohman, Hellen Moffitt, Emma Nunn
Men: Henry Campbell, Ben Colley, Mitch DeForest, Nic Graesser, Logan Heck, Sam Lewis, Ozzie Moyer, Jack Nyquist, Lucas Popp, Kurt Wohlrab
2015-16 First-Team All-American Team
Women: Hellen Moffitt
Men: Jack Nyquist
2015-16 Honorable Mention All-Americans
Women: Caroline Baldwin, Rachel Canty, Elissa Dawson, Lauren Earp, Zhada Fields, Ally Hardesty, Annie Harrison, Sarah Hitchens, Hellen Moffitt, Emma Nunn
Men: Nic Graesser, Logan Heck, Sam Lewis, Kurt Wohlrab
2015-16 Graduating Seniors
Women: Maddy Burns, Rachel Canty, Lauren Earp, Annie Goessling, Ally Hardesty (captain), Annie Harrison (captain), Alli Haufler, Emma Nunn, Erin Purdy, Kacy Rhyne, Kendall Surhoff
Men: Ben Colley, Mitch DeForest (captain), Chris Gondek, Nic Graesser, Logan Heck, Matt Kwatyra, Sam Lewis, Ozzie Moyer (captain), Kurt Wohlrab
Swimming news courtesy of UNC Swimming & Diving.
