Swimming and Diving Names 2003-04 Season Award Recipients
Saturday, September 25, 2004 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Florida swimming and diving team announced its 2003-04 season award winners at its annual banquet as part of its 2004 Splash Alumni Weekend festivities on Friday evening at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.
The banquet also honored the program's former Olympians, including 28 in attendance at the event, and marked the official close of the 2003-04 campaign.
The 2003-04 award recipients are as follows:
Carlos Jayme (Goias, Brazil/Annapolis) and Sara McLarty (DeLand, Fla./DeLand) were awarded the Giovanni Linscheer Award, recognizing the individuals who have contributed the most to the overall success of the team and displayed dedication, leadership, positive attitude and performance.
The recipients of the Donald Gibb Award, demonstrating success above and beyond expectations, was awarded to Jan Wolfgarten (Frankfurt, Germany/SG Frankfurt) and Katie McCann (Walpole, Mass./Boston College).
Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek) and Jaime Ellis (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) each received the Skip Foster Award, presented to the team's most valuable swimmer. The recognition marked the second time that Lochte and Ellis captured the award.
The Leadership Award, recognizing the senior Gators whose leadership has been instrumental to the team's overall success, honored Chris Kellam (Mt. Juliet, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy) and Chantal Gibney (Dublin, Ireland).
The trio of Scott Schultz (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Nebraska), Justin Zumsteg (Rochester, Mich/Rochester) and Vipa Bernhardt (Bad Hersfeld, Germany/ Modellschule Obersberg) captured the Academic Award, symbolic of academic excellence.
Based on performances at the Southeastern Conference and NCAA swimming meets, the Tracy Caulkins Freshman Award winner exemplifyies the competitive spirit of its namesake Tracy Caulkins through dedication, tenacity and a great will to win. All-American Leah Retrum (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) received the award.
Nicole Bolt (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) received the Bill Harlan Award, presented to the diver who has brought national recognition to the University of Florida.
The Bill Harlan Spirit Award, given to an individual who most exemplifies a genuine commitment to the University of Florida Swimming Program, was awarded to Jonathan Strauss (Miami, Fla./Ransom Everglades).
Jeff Smith, the current Splash Club President, and Sue Halfacre, a lifetime Splash Club member, as well as the former women's head coach from 1973-76, were recognized as the Tiger Holmes Award recipients for their outstanding support for the UF swimming and diving department. The award is presented to officials, Splash members or volunteers of the swimming and diving program.
The Gators will open the 2004-05 season on Oct. 8, as they travel to Boca Raton for a 4 p.m. meet against Florida Atlantic University.
-UF-
