Emory head coach Jon Howell earned a pair of honors on Saturday night after his men’s and women’s teams won their respective team titles at the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships in Shenandoah, Texas. Howell was named Collegiate Swim Coaches’ Association of America (CSCAA) Division III Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year for the Eagles’ performances.
It was the first national championship for the Emory men’s team in program history, and the first time since 1980 that a team not named Kenyon or Denison won the men’s title. The Emory women came home with their eighth consecutive team trophy and tenth overall. With their double win, the Emory men’s and women’s teams accomplished a feat that hadn’t been done since Kenyon last did it in 2009.
Kenyon won the men’s meet with 438 points, 54 more than second-place Kenyon, and 67 more than third-place Denison. The Eagles won four individual events (50 free, 100 breast, 200 breast, and 200 IM) and four of the five relays (4×50 medley, 4×100 medley, 4×50 free, and 4×100 free). They also set five Division III records (not coincidentally, the five events that Andrew Wilson swam: 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, 4×50 medley relay, and 4×100 medley relay).
The women amassed 645.5 points, 200.5 more than second-place Williams. The Eagles won all five relays for the second year in a row, as well as four individual events (100 free, 200 free, 1650 free, and 100 back). They broke Division III records in four of the five relays (all but the 4×50 medley).
Howell has been head coach of Emory since 1998. During his reign, the men’s and women’s teams have finished in the top 10 at NCAAs a combined 37 times, and have won 38 conference team titles.
GOAT
Coach of the Year? how about Coach of the last 3 decades? Way to go Jon and way to go Eagles!