EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire swim and dive team announced their team awards recently at their end of the season banquet. All the recipients were voted on by their fellow teammates.
The Most Valuable Performer on the women's side was awarded to Samantha Senczyszyn (Fr. –Grafton, WI) and Kate French (Sr. - Hartland, WI). Senczyszyn had a season filled with personal bests, conference and national championships and setting the NCAA Division III national record in the 200-yard Breaststroke. French led the team in diving and will be a loss for the team as she is one of the graduating captains.
The Most Valuable Performer on the men's team was awarded to Thomas Hensen (Sr. Delafield, WI). Hensen was a national qualifying swimmer and Blugold record holder in the 200-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay, 400-yard medley relay and 200-yard backstroke.
"I'm really proud of both Sam and Thomas," said Head Coach Ryder. "They had a great year and some really impressive swims. Both are incredible talented swimmers but not only that they are really outstanding teammates.
"Kate had a great year and is very well deserving of the most valuable diver award. Kate is a team player and a positive person to have on the team."
The award for most inspirational team members were given to Ben Fisher (Jr.- Roselle, IL) and Maddie Gray (Sr.-Roseville, MN). Both were captains for the team this year.
"The great thing about our team is that we have such a supportive community," said junior sprinter Ben Fisher. "What keeps me motivated to get the team pumped up before meets is knowing they will in return cheer for each other and myself with equal energy."
The Blugold Award was given to Gray for embodying the ideal competitive team spirit of the university and athletics. This award was not voted by the team but chosen by Head Coach Anne Ryder.
"I chose Maddie for the Blugold award because she is the true meaning of what it means to be a Blugold athlete," said Ryder. "She puts the team before herself and is striving to be a better athlete both for herself and for the team. She has a natural way of bringing people together and led the team through an exciting and successful season."
Rookie of the Year was given to Senczyszyn and Andrew Strauch (Fr.- Lakeville). Andrew placed in the top eight in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley.
Most Improved was awarded to Brittany Farr (Fr.- Madison) and Konrad Plomedahl (Jr. – Sun Prarie). Both were members of the 2016 conference team.
New team captains were also announced for the 2016-17 season: Nina Tabatabai, Sara Tainter, Elissa Hermson, Ryan Battist, Logan Coert and returning captain Ryan Young.