April 1, 2003
Contact: Mike Zimmerman
Phone: 315-228-6761
Fax: 315-228-7977
E-mail: mzimmerman@mail.colgate.edu
Hamilton, NY — The Colgate University swimming and diving teams held their annual awards banquet on Sunday, March 30. Similar to previous years, the banquet serves as a celebration of the achievements of the Colgate student-athletes for the twelve-month period from March 2002 through February 2003.
Following a well-prepared feast at the Poolville Country Store, Colgate sophomore Michael Aphibal highlighted the diving portion of the season as Coach Bill Roberts did likewise with the swimming accomplishments. Of note, the women’s team earned a grade point average above 3.00 for the fall semester. Erin Shope ’06 (3.75) and Levi Benson ’06 (3.92) were recognized for having the high fall semester GPA. Elizabeth Gaffuri (3.67) and Greg Jachno (3.84) were honored for having the highest overall grade point average.
The Colgate Swimming and Diving Top Ten. Four separate lists comprise the Colgate Top Ten: All Time Performers for men and women, all time performances for both men and women. Similar to 2002, Colgate swimmers and divers had a historical season, as 141 different additions were included in these lists.
Colgate swimmers and divers set twenty-eight records in 2002-03. Leading the way for the women were Alice Garnett ’04 and Chrissy Zaika ’06. Zaika, from Syracuse, New York, made a name for herself and the program in setting nine records. Chrissy set the freshmen and Varsity record for the 50 free twice in one day at the league meet. Additionally, she was a member of one first-year and four varsity relay records. Alice was part of four varsity records including the 200 Medley Relay (twice), along with the 400 Medley and Free Relays. She also set three pool records highlighted by her swim at the league meet where she won the 400 IM (4:27.74.) Meghan Binder ’05 was part of five records. Most impressive was her swim in the 200 breaststroke (2:23.89.) For the men, James Hadley ’03 continued his record setting ways with five in 2003. Like Zaika, James reset the 50 free record twice on the first day of competition going from a 21.06 to a 20.89. Narrowly missing a senior national cut (56.29), Matt Vuturo ’03 broke his own school record in the 100 breastroke (56.32.) Rich Derrick ’05, from Liverpool, NY, broke a 25 year old record in the 500 free with a time of 4:39.37. Mike Schierhold ’04, broke Colgate swimming great Kevin Rusch’s 100 backstroke record with a time of 52.69.
Random notes. Fifty-four student-athletes earned a varsity letter in 2002-03′..Zaika (311.00) and Hadley (291.00) earned high point award for most individual points scored in a season’..Colgate swimmers completed 662,784 short course yards through 148 practice sessions and fourteen days of competition’..Iron man/woman (perfect attendance for the season was earned by eighteen in 2002-03: Sheri Bontrager ’05, Megan Boyer ’06, Jen Brickett ’05, Amy Cole ’06, Caroline Curtis ’05, Katherine Del Prato ’06, Garnett, Brittany Wopperer ’06, Zaika, Mike Gentithes ’05, Mike Graham ’06, Chris Kinsella ’05, Brett Nichols ’05, Tom Noel ’06, Brad Oastler ’06, James Silas ’06, Ned Thrasher ’06, Aaron Weddle ’05.‘..Earning first team all Patriot League in 2003 were Binder, Garnett, Zaika, Derrick, Hadley & Vuturo.
Bontrager and Gentithes each received the Ironman/Woman award given in recognition to a male and female student athlete whose dedication, work ethic and unselfish commitment distinguished themselves amongst their swimming & diving peers. Garnett and Derrick each earned the Maroon and White award given to the student who exemplifies the spirit, dedication, & competitive excellence of Colgate Swimming & Diving. Hadley was the 15th recipient of the Bob Kane Award given to either a male or female who is indefatigable, glad, giving & resolute in his or her goals. ‘He gave great gifts of time: He gave no thought to himself.’ Boundless was his fellow feeling and good cheer. In Bob Kane’s honor, we commend those students who, like him, are indefatigably glad, giving & resolute in their goals. Meredith Erickson ’03 earned the Donna Carter Memorial Award. This award has been established to recognize athletic and academic achievement in its women swimmers. The annual award is named for an outstanding swimmer and member of the class of 1980 who died in a rock-climbing incident June 20 near Basel, Switzerland. Caitlin Craumer ’05 & Greg Jachno ’05 were the recipients of the Excelsior Award given in recognition to a male and female student athlete whose promise and persistent hard work lead to extraordinary improvement. Finally, new team captains were introduced for 2003-04. Garnett and Abi O’Connell, Mike Schierhold and Andrew Wright were elected by their peers to lead their teams respectively.
To conclude the celebration, a slide show presentation set to music was shown. Colgate assistant coach Adam Kennedy spent countless hours preparing a tremendous recap to an unforgettable season. Colgate University swimming and diving opens the 2003-04 season at home versus Syracuse University on Saturday, October 18th, 2003.