On Sunday evening, at the Merrill House at Colgate University, the Colgate Swimming and Diving team held their annual banquet.  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 2001 through February 2002.  Special guests included former assistant coach, Jim Parker of Morrisville, Colgate University Athletic Director Mr. Mark Murphy and Nicole Roberts, wife of head coach Bill Roberts.

Following a well-prepared feast, Head Diving Coach Matt Leone highlighted the diving portion of the season as Roberts did likewise with the swimming accomplishments.  Of note, both men’s and women’s team earned grade point averages above 3.00.  Bridget Wagner (3.84) and Mike Gentithes (3.83) were recognized for having the high fall semester GPA.  Emily Pearson (3.56) and Daniel Guttentag (3.59) 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 2001, Colgate swimmers and divers had a historical season, as 140 different additions were included in these lists. 

Colgate swimmers and divers set thirty-three records in 2001-02.  Jen Busby ‘05 set six diving records alone.  Of note, Busby established pool records at Colgate’s Lineberry Natatorium as well as Bucknell University.  Alice Garnett ’04 was part of eight records herself including pool records in the 400 IM at both Lehigh University and Cornell University along with the 200 IM pool record at Bucknell University.  Garnett also broke her own school record in the 200 IM (2:06.87) at the Patriot league Championships in February.  Meghan Binder’05 was part of eleven records.  Most impressive were her swims in the 100 breastroke (1:06.19) and the 100 butterfly (58.43.)  For the men, Lane Ellis ‘05 established three freshmen records in both 1 and 3 diving.  Matt Vuturo ’03, and James Haldey’03, continued their record setting ways with four each in 2002.  Narrowly missing a senior national cut (56.30), Matt broke his own school record in the 100 breastroke (56.36.)  Hadley established the 200-butterfly record twice in one day at the Patriot league Championships in swimming a 1:53.24 in the preliminaries in the morning and then a 1:51.96 in the finals at night.

Random notes.  Forty-four student-athletes earned a varsity letter in 2001-02…..Binder (217.00) and Ellis (196.00) earned high point award for most individual points scored in a season…..Colgate distance swimmers completed 726,620 short course yards through 139 practice sessions and fourteen days of competition…..Iron man/woman (perfect attendance for the season was earned by eight in 2001-02: Jen Brickett’05, Caroline Curtis’05, Katie Finnegan’05, Elizabeth Gaffuri’05, Kay Smith;04, Bridget Wagner’02, Mike Gentithes’05, and Aaron Weddle’05…..Earning first team all Patriot League in 2002 were Binder, Ellis, Garnett and Vuturo.  Ellis also was awarded 2002 Patriot League Diver of the Meet….for the second consecutive semester, both men’s and women’s teams were recognized as Academic All-America by the College Swimming Coach Association of America.

Curtis 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 Weddle each earned the Maroon and White award given to the student who exemplifies the spirit, dedication, & competitive excellence of Colgate Swimming & Diving.  Chris Johnson’02, was the 14^th 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& good cheer.  In Bob Kane’s honor, we commend those students who, like him, are indefatigably glad, giving & resolute in their goals.  Alissa Bell’04 became the first diver to earn 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 & member the class of 1980 who died in a rock-climbing incident June 20 near Basel, Switzerland.  Mike Schierhold’04 and Elizabeth Austin’02 became the first 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 2002-03.  Gaffuri and Kate Martin’03 and Hadley and Vuturo 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 coaches Adam Kennedy and Kendra Smith spent countless hours preparing a tremendous recap to an unforgettable season.  Colgate University swimming and diving returns to action in the fall opening the 2002-03 season at Syracuse University on Saturday October 19^th, 2002.