Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks celebrate season at banquet
4/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
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Seniors Tom Gilbert and Betsy Balaguer earned the program’s highest honor as they were recipients of the Scholar-Athlete award. Given to the student-athlete who in the eyes of his/her teammates exemplifies the ideal of the scholar-athlete, Gilbert, the 2007 Patriot League Men’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year, holds a 3.47 grade point average as an accounting major. Balaguer, like Gilbert is an accounting major, and holds a 3.05 GPA, while earning all-league honors three times.
Both Gilbert and Balaguer were multi-award winners on the evening. Gilbert added the Athlete of the Year award, is presented to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. The female Athlete of the Year award was given to sophomore Melanie Rolish. The
Balaguer also won the Coaches Award, presented to the individuals who made significant contributions to the well being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement, or special leadership. On the men’s side, this award went to sophomore Dan Johnson. With three top-four finishes at the Patriot League Championships, Johnson emerged as one of the top swimmers for Lehigh in 2007 and will be looked upon for added leadership heading into his final two seasons.
The swimming and diving program also handed out additional awards for the male and female Diver of the Year, Freshman of the Year and the Most Improved Swimmer.
Junior Clark Cohen earned male Diver of the Year honors for the second year in a row. A second-team All-League selection, Cohen placed fifth in the three meter dive and sixth in the one meter at the Patriot League Championships. The female Diver of the Year was freshman Erin Tormey, who finished tenth in the one meter and 14th in the three meter at the championship meet.
The Freshmen of the Year awards went to All-League selections Kevin McGrath and Allison Rolish. McGrath reached the finals in the 200 breast and also won the consolation final of the 400 IM. Rolish placed fourth in the 1650 free and added an eleventh place finish in the 500 free.
Freshmen Mark Ostapenko and Julie Sicherman earned Most Improved Swimmer honors. Sicherman reached the finals in the 100 fly and was also a member of the school record setting 400 yard medley relay team.
