Spartans Place Two on All-SSC Women's Swimming Team
Sophomore Sophie Long and freshman Makayla Ayers earned spots on the All-SSC Second Team as the conference released the awards Thursday.
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's swimming duo Makayla Ayers and Sophie Long were named to the All-Sunshine State Conference Second Team as announced by the conference office on Thursday. Rebecca Matthews of Lynn University repeats as SSC Swimmer of the Year, while teammate Catalina Berraud-Galea earns Freshman of the Year honors. Mike Blum of Florida Southern College has been voted Coach of the Year.
SSC Swimmer, Freshman and Coach of the Year awards were selected by vote of the league's swimming coaches following the NCAA Division II National Championship. Swimmers who finished top eight in individual points at the 2016 SSC Swimming Championships (Feb. 18-21 at the Orlando YMCA Aquatic Center) were named to the All-SSC Women's Swimming First Team. The next eight swimmers were named All-SSC Second Team.
Matthews is a four-time first team All-American in the four events she swam at NCAA's. She placed first in the 200 Breaststroke, third in the 400 IM, fourth in the 200 IM, and seventh in the 100 Breaststroke. Matthews was Sunshine State Conference Female Swimmer of the Meet and holds three overall SSC Records in the 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, and 200 IM. In addition, Matthews holds the SSC meet records in the same events.
Berraud-Galea won the 1650 at the SSC Championship Meet and qualifying for nationals. Additionally, she placed 3rd in the 1000 Free and 5th in the 500 Free at the SSC's. Throughout the year, she was undefeated in the distance events at dual meets. At NCAA's, Berraud-Galea placed 10th in the 1650 and was not only the only freshman but also the only swimmer in the SSC to place in the top-16 in this event garnering her second team All-American accolades.
Blum is awarded his first SSC women's Swimming Coach of the Year honor in his debut season. He led the Moccasins to their first ever Sunshine State Conference women's championship in February. FSC finished 15th among 37 scoring teams at the national championship.
Alli Crenshaw (Florida Southern) earns All-SSC first team accolades for a fourth consecutive year. Matthews, Malin Westman (Nova Southeastern), and Natalia Garriock (Saint Leo) repeat as first team members from last season. Kelsey Gouge (Florida Southern) was also selected to the first team in 2014 and 2013
2016 All-SSC Women's Swimming First Team
Rebecca Matthews, Lynn
Alli Crenshaw, Florida Southern
Emma Wahlstrom, Nova Southeastern
Natalia Garriock, Saint Leo
Malin Westman, Nova Southeastern
Courtney DeVeny, Nova Southeastern
Kelsey Gouge, Florida Southern
Thalie Carmigniani, Lynn
Swimmer of the Year: Rebecca Matthews, Lynn
Freshman of the Year: Catalina Berraud-Galea, Lynn
Coach of the Year: Mike Blum, Florida Southern
2016 All-SSC Women's Swimming Second Team
Makayla Ayers, Tampa
Morgan Burns, Florida Southern
Catalina Berraud-Galea, Lynn
Georgina Allin, Nova Southeastern
Sophie Long, Tampa
Heather Burns, Florida Southern
Jacinda Whittenburg, Florida Southern
Krystal Karas, Florida Southern
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