May 8, 2017
With another swimming and diving season in the books, head coach Brett Hawke and the rest of the coaching staff honored the senior class and the top performers and performances from this past season at the annual banquet on Friday night at Auburn Arena.
The 2017 seniors honored were Taylor Copeland, Kyle Darmody, Michael Duderstadt, Natasha Lloyd, Maddie Martin, Alec Morris, Kristen Murslack, Ashley Neidigh, Joe Patching, Genny Pittman, Allyx Purcell and Miranda Telmanik.
The Hammer Award, which is presented to the highest individual point scorer at the NCAA Championships, went to Duderstadt and Neidigh. Duderstadt finished fifth in the 100 breaststroke and ninth in the 200 breaststroke while Neidigh was the eighth-place finisher in the 1650 free, setting the school record in the 1,000 free in the process.
The Most Improved Swimming Award went to sophomore Zach Apple and junior Haley Black. Apple earned the maximum seven All-America honors at the NCAA Championships, set the school record in the 200 free (1:33.36), became the fastest American sprinter in the program history (18.93 - 50 free) and anchored the school record-setting 800 free relay at NCAAs. Black won the consolation final and set the school record in the 100 fly (51.08) at NCAAs and was fourth in the event at SECs after not even making the conference championship team a year ago.
The Most Improved Diving Award went to junior Pete Turnham. He advanced to the NCAA Zone Championships for the third straight season and then advanced to the NCAA Championships on the 3-meter for the first time in his career. He set lifetime bests on both the 3-meter (382.70) and platform (323.60) during the season.
The Stanley Louis Sugar Memorial Scholar Award is given in recognition of athleticism and academics in memory of its namesake, who was killed in an automobile accident along with Bradley Ernest Schade. Although not an elite swimmer while at Auburn, his impact in both the water and classroom was felt throughout the team. He was an honor student and had just received his diploma at the time of his death. Zoe Thatcher and Chris Simmons, both of which have 4.0 GPAs, were this year's honorees.
The Bradley Ernest Schade Freshman Unity Award is given in the memory of Schade, who was killed along with Sugar. Schade, a freshman, had an immediate impact on the team. His hard work both in the classroom and pool was a catalyst for the team, bridging the gap between incoming freshmen and upperclassman. Alison Maillard, a diver, earned the award this season.
Niedigh and Patching were awarded the Auburn Swimming and Diving Award, which is based on scholarship, leadership and athletic performance. The award is presented to athletes who depict what Auburn swimming and diving is all about.
Darmody won the Athlete's Choice Award, which is voted upon by the team.
The Ralph Crocker Spirit of Auburn Award recipient was administrative assistant Debra Hazeldine. Given in memory of former coach Ralph Crocker, it goes to an athlete, coach or support person who exemplifies Crocker's spirit and character as illuminated in the Auburn Creed. Hazeldine has worked with the program since 2008, is the Tiger Splashers advisor and the Auburn Swim Camp Director.