Rice University Athletics
Swim Team Announces Annual Award Winners
4/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
HOUSTON - Led by senior Casey Clark as the Rice Swimmer of the Year, Owl head swim coach Seth Huston announced the program's individual award winners for 2014-2015 at the team's annual postseason banquet on Monday night (April 27).
For the third time in as many years Clark was the recipient of the Catherine Hannah Award, which has been presented to the program's top swimmer every year since 1979. In 2015 Clark won the C-USA individual championship in the 100-butterfly and she set three new school records during the course of the year. In addition to swimming on two school record-setting relays, the Spring, Texas, native also represented Rice in the NCAA Championships in three events where she finished as high as 25th in the nation in the 100-butterfly.
Joining Clark on the team's 2015 awards list were junior Faith Hirschi as the Most Improved swimmer, sophomore Anniina Ala-Seppälä as the winner of the Kathryn E. Scholl True Blue Spirit Award, freshman Kaitlyn Swinney as the winner of the Natalie Kirchhoff Inspiration Award, freshmen Kiley Beall and Alicia Caldwell as the co-recipients of the Rookie of the Year award, and senior Erin Flanigan as the team's Academic Honoree. Two Owls who were named the C-USA Swimmer of the Week a combined total of four times were also recognized.
Hirschi is in fact the back-to-back recipient of the Most Improved award. Two years ago she was sidelined from competition for more than six months during one stretch, but battled back to make a contribution to the squad. This season the El Paso native improved even more with some of the team's top times in the 200-breasstroke (1:59.73) and 400-individual medley (4:26.47).
Selection for the Scholl True Blue Spirit Award goes beyond excellence in the pool. The award is presented to the Owl who has shown dedication, discipline and leadership, but most importantly consistent hard-work and commitment to the team concept. Ala-Seppälä displayed a passion for swimming in the rugged distance events and scored for the Owls in the mile at the C-USA championships.
Named after the former Owl swimmer, the Natalie Kirchhoff Award went to IM/breaststroke specialist Kaitlyn Swinney for her inspiration to the team. Fellow freshmen Alicia Caldwell and Kiley Beall shared the Rookie honors after each set the new school record in the 100- and 200-backstroke, respectively.
When it comes to achievements in the classroom the Owls are of course second to none. Erin Flanigan was named to the All-Academic Team for her 3.77 grade point average while majoring in kinesiology. The Rice trio of Flanigan, Kylie Burgess and Savanna Golson were named C-USA Academic medalists this season. A total of 22 Rice swimmers were named to the 2015 C-USA Commissioners Academic Honor Roll.
The awards didn't stop there, however. Five of the program's seniors, Casey Clark, Erin Flanigan, Marissa Koincke, Madison Livingston and Rachel Moody passed out their version of accolades with the program's annual "Senior Paper Plate Awards." No Owl underclassman was spared from the senior-razz, but a good time was had as the soon-to-be Rice graduates made their good-nature, final parting jabs at their teammates.
Coach Huston and assistant coach Amanda Caldwell, who was recently named the Rice athletics department's assistant coach of the year, also received gifts from the team members during the festivities.
Players Mentioned
