MSU Swimming And Diving Hands Out Awards At Annual Banquet
4/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
April 22, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's and women's swimming and diving teams announced the team award winners for the 2001-02 season at the annual banquet Saturday night (April 20).
Carly Weiden (Sr., Kentwood/East Kentwood) was named the Most Valuable Performer for the women's team, while Aaron Mahaney (Sr., Easton, Pa./Area) was honored with the same award for the men's team. Weiden reached the NCAA Championships in the 1-meter and 3-meter events, in which she finished 11th-place and 24th- place, respectively. Mahaney swam several top times for the men's team and was one of MSU's highest finishers at the Big Ten Championships (10th-place - 1650 freestlye).
Joe Brennan (Jr., Poway, Calif./Rancho Bernardo) received the Jack Siebold Sparty Award for Leadership. Brennan was MSU's top finisher in the Big Ten Championships with a ninth-place effort in the 200 freestlye. The junior was also instrumental in leading the Spartans outside of the pool all season long.
Ashby Baldock (Sr., Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) took home the Jennifer Parks Sparty Award for Leadership for the women's team. Baldock competed in the 100 and 200 backstroke events and also swam on the 200 freestlye relay team.
The Most Improved Player for the men's team went to Patrick Sheahan-Stahl (So., Mt. Pleasant/Sacred Heart), while Kate Duncombe (Jr., Erie, Pa./McDowell) earned Most Improved Player honors for the women's team. Sheahan-Stahl was a first-year diver after earning a letter on the men's gymnastics team his freshman year. Duncombe made a return trip to the NCAA Championships in 2002 after missing her sophomore season. Duncombe, who qualified for the NCAAs her freshman season, broke the school record in the 100 backstroke at this year's NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas. She also placed 35th nationally in the 200 backstroke.
The 100 Percent Award went to Mike Rigali (So., Naperville, Ill./Central) of the men's team and Stephanie Anisko (Jr., Mississauga, Ont./Philip Pocock) and Ildiko Szekely (Sr., Budapest, Hungary/Mercersburg) of the women's team.
Patrick Saucedo (Fr., Jackson/Jackson) and Alicia Copestick (Fr., East Liverpool, Ohio/East Liverpool) earned Freshman of the Year honors.
Nick DeFauw (Jr., West Bloomfield/West Bloomfield) was the first recipient of the John Munley Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded every year to one swimmer in honor of former Michigan State swimmer John Munley.
2001-02 MICHIGAN STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER:Men: Aaron MahaneyWomen: Carly Weiden
JACK SEIBOLD SPARTY AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP:Joe Brennan
JENNIFER PARKS SPARTY AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP:Ashby Baldock
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:Men: Patrick Sheahan-StahlWomen: Kate Duncombe
100% AWARD:Men: Mike RigaliWomen: Stephanie Anisko, Ildiko Szekely
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:Men: Patrick SaucedoWomen: Alicia Copestick
JOHN MUNLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:Nick DeFauw