Courtesy: Vermont Athletics
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Vermont swimming & diving program handed out its year-end 2019-20 season awards in a virtual banquet last Saturday.
Junior captain Emily Murphy earned Athlete of the Year honors and three additional Catamounts earned major team awards.
Murphy claimed third on the three-meter board at the 2020 America East Championship, earning the second All-Conference honor of her career. She also placed seventh on the one-meter board at the conference championship and earned conference diver of the week honors four times in 2019-20.
Senior Sophia Smith was named the recipient of the 2020 Les Leggett Award for the second straight season, named after the longtime coach and honoring a member who displayed leadership, loyalty, humility, and sportsmanship. The Westwood, Massachusetts native was also named the 2020 Coaches’ Award recipient, honoring a member of the team who made a significant impact on the team’s success. The two-year captain finished 10th in the mile and 12th in the 200 free at this year’s conference championship.
Smith also earned a spot on the 2020 America East All-Academic team for the second straight season. The senior currently holds a 3.92 GPA as an Elementary Education K-6 major at Vermont after being named the 2019 America East Elite 18 Award winner last spring.
Freshman Cailin Campbell earned the 2020 Joe Fischer Award, named after the long-time coach and given annually to an athlete who has displayed dedication, sacrifice, and humility. The Greentown, Pennsylvania native earned three top-10 finishes at the 2020 America East Championship: finishing fourth in the 200 free, sixth in the 200 IM, and seventh in the 100 free. Campbell also posted the second fasted 200 IM time in program history, clocking in at 2:05.59 at the 2020 America Eat Championship.
Olenka Duncan was named the team’s Most Improved Diver after her first season in Burlington. The Canandaigua, New York native had a stellar America East Championship, qualifying for the finals on the three-meter board and claiming eighth place at the conference championship.
The Catamounts finished third at this year’s America East Championship for the eighth straight year. The 200 free relay team of Isabelle Magbie, Vivian Nguyen, Kira Parker, and Sierra Sexton won the event to earn All-Conference and Champion honors. Sexton also placed second in the 50 free for an individual All-Conference accolade.
The swimming & diving seniors will be honored again during the 16th annual Rally Awards, held virtually this year from May 11-15. Click here for more information on UVM’s all-sports celebration.