JOE FISCHER AWARD: Stefi Geiger
The Joe Fischer Award honors a student-athlete who has displayed dedication, sacrifice and humility. Geiger finished 10th in the 100 butterfly and 15th in the 50 freestyle at the 2016 America East Championships in Worcester, helping the Catamounts finish third overall for the fourth straight year. She was one of five Catamounts who were selected to the 2016 America East All-Academic Team. Geiger owns a 3.92 GPA as a biological sciences major.LES LEGGETT AWARD: Elena Melloni
The Les Leggett Award honors a student-athlete who has displayed leadership, loyalty, humility and sportsmanship. Melloni was honored on the America East All-Academic Team for the third time in her career. The senior placed eighth in the 200 backstroke and 12th in the 100 back at the America East Championships to close her UVM career. The three-time America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection has a near-perfect 3.94 GPA as an electrical engineering major.MOST IMPROVED DIVER AWARD: Maggie Preston
The Most Improved Diver Award honors a diver that has showed the most progress throughout the season. Preston won the 1-meter diving competition and finished as the runner-up in the 3-meter diving event at the championship meet to earn All-Conference honors in both events. Preston was a five-time America East Diver of the Week this season, including three weeks in a row during November, and has been named to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll on three occasions. She boasts a 3.52 GPA in elementary education.COACH’S AWARD: Kelly Lennon
The Coach’s Award honors a student-athlete who has made a significant impact to the team’s success. Lennon was a key contributor as she earned four separate top-10 finishes during the America East Championships. She placed third in the 800 free relay, was fourth in the 500 free, finished sixth in the 200 free, and came in eighth in the 1650 free. The sophomore posted victories in both the 200 and 500 free at four different meets against Siena, Maine, Central Connecticut State, and Bryant.ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Sarah Mantz
The Athlete of the Year Award was handed out to Mantz, who was an America East All-Conference performer in three individual events this season. Mantz was recognized with the America East Elite 18 Award at the league championship meet for her combined accomplishments in the pool and the classroom. She earned All-Conference honors in four different events at the America East Championships, including a team title in the 200 free relay. A two-time member of the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll, the junior carries a 3.58 GPA in business administration.
Swimming news courtesy of Vermont Swimming & Diving.
