Over 130 athletes, parents, family, friends and alumni gathered on May 24 for the first of what hopes to be a long tradition of team banquets. The theme was “Past, Present and Future” to celebrate all aspects of Bloomsburg University’s swimming’s success.
Highlighting the afternoon were the team awards, several of which were featured for the first time. The team MVP Awards, as voted on by all team members, went to
Allie Reed (Selinsgrove, Selinsgrove) and
Jeremy Frey (Pipersville, Central Bucks East)for their outstanding performances all year. Reed ended her career ranked #2 all-time at BU in the 50 and 100 free, and leaves with two team records and as an NCAA All-American in 2007. Frey set three team records in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 back. He was runner up at the PSAC Championships in the 200 IM and was named All Conference in all three events.
Two new award categories were unveiled this year: the Performance Awards and the Captain’s Awards. The performance awards went to two swimmers who had the most dominating performances of the year. They were named after BU standouts Dave Gibas ’73, and Gwen Cressman Petershon ’85, who were the first national champions on the men’s and women’s side during their careers.
Taking home the Dave Gibas Performance Award was
Juan Castaneda (Shamokin, Shamokin Area) for his dominating victory in the 100 fly at the PSAC championships. His team record 50.03 made him the first individual conference champion for the men in 12 years. The Gwen Cressman Performance Award went to
Madeline Barlow (Yardley, Pennsbury) for her start to finish victory in the 200 IM at the Akron Invitational. Her team record 2:07.19 broke the oldest record in the books for the women, set my none other than Gwen Cressman in 1985.
The Captain’s Awards, as voted on by this year’s team captains, went to two athletes who showed unselfish commitment, dedication, hard work and enthusiasm towards Bloomsburg swimming. The inaugural awards for 2010 went to
Miranda Steel (Hillsborough, NJ, Hillsborough) and
Mike Bierds (Malvern, West Chester East).
Special awards were given to two parents who demonstrated genuine support for the program and encouraged others to do the same. These awards went to Barb Reed and Jo Mancinelli for their years of wonderful support to BU Swimming.
2009-10 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
1 NCAA Qualifier
22 NCAA “B” Cuts
1 PSAC Champion
5 PSAC All Conference
39 PSAC Qualifiers
53 PSAC Finalists
11 Team records
43 New BU All Time Top Ten Swims
24 BU Scholar Athletes
Both teams named NCAA Scholar All American