Courtesy: Iowa Athletics
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa swimming and diving team announced its annual team awards Wednesday night in Iowa City.
Seniors Chris Dawson and Jerzy Twarowski and juniors Kenneth Mende and Jack Smith, along with freshman Anton Hoherz took home top awards on the men’s side, while sophomore Hannah Burvill and freshman Jayah Mathews earned top honors for the women in the 2017-18 season.
Dawson, Twarowski, Mende, and Smith shared the men’s swimming MVP award. Dawson led the squad in three events with NCAA “B” qualifying times — 500 freestyle (4:20.42), 1,650 freestyle (15:07.35), and 400 IM (3:46.80). Twarowski led Iowa in the 100 and 200 fly, posting NCAA “B” qualifying times at the Big Ten Championships, while setting a school record with a time of 46.07 in the 100 fly.
Mende paced the team in the 100 and 200 backstroke. The junior posted an NCAA “B” qualifying time and school record in the 200 back, touching in at 1:42.12 at the Big Ten Championships, while Smith swam to a school record in the 100 free with a time of 42.71 at the Big Ten Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the event. The junior also garnered All-America honors as part of the school record breaking 200-free relay.
Hoherz earned the men’s diving MVP award after setting a school record off the platform with a score of 415.65 at the Big Ten Championships. The Spring, Texas, native also led the team off the 3-meter this season with a zone-standard score of 389.50.
Burvill earned the women’s swimming MVP honor after qualifying for the NCAA Championships in two events — 100 and 200 free. The Pyrford, Great Britain, native swam to an NCAA “B” time in the 100 free on the final day of NCAAs, touching in at 48.94 to break the school record that she previously set at the Minnesota Invitational.
Mathews locked the MVP honor on the women’s diving side after being an NCAA qualifier as a freshman. Mathews dove to an NCAA Zone Standard (315.00) in the first meet of the season against Michigan State and Northern Iowa. The Australia native then bettered her season-best with a score of 315.60 against Western Illinois to lead the Hawkeyes off the 3-meter.
Smith also garnered the Wally Ris Memorial Award for the second consecutive year. The junior had the fastest time in the 100-yard freestyle this season. The England native posted an NCAA “B” qualifying time and broke the school record with a time of 42.71 at the Big Ten Championships. He was an NCAA qualifier for the second time in his career.
Senior Colter Allen received the Jim Marshall Award, handed out to the senior who contributed the best athletic ability. The Minnesota native was second on the team in the 100 fly with a time of 47.07 — ranking third in the UI record books.
Senior Morgan Rafferty was the recipient of the Alison Pennington Haddon Strength of Character Award, presented to the women’s team member who exemplifies the qualities of integrity, authenticity, dedication, work ethic, perseverance, loyalty, encouragement, and leadership.
Senior Logan Samuelson received the Irving B. Weber Leadership Award, which is presented each year to the individual who displays outstanding leadership.
One individual from both the men’s and women’s teams earned the Iron Hawk Strength and Conditioning Award. Senior Mekenna Scheitlin was honored for the women, while junior Will Brenner was the men’s recipient.
Men’s Award Winners
Co-Men’s Swimming MVP Award: Chris Dawson, Jerzy Twarowski, Kenneth Mende, and Jack Smith
Men’s Diving MVP Award: Anton Hoherz
Wally Ris Memorial Award: Jack Smith
Irving B. Weber Leadership Award: Logan Samuelson
Jim Marshall Award: Colter Allen
Strength and Conditioning Award: Will Brenner
Women’s Award Winners
Women’s Swimming MVP Award: Hannah Burvill
Women’s Diving MVP Award: Jayah Mathews
Alison Pennington Haddon Strength of Character Award: Morgan Rafferty
Strength and Conditioning Award: Mekenna Scheitlin