Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Women's Swimming/Diving Announces '11 Award Winners, '12 Captains
May 06, 2011 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Rising seniors Meredith Monroe and Kerry Gruendel will serve as co-captains when the Princeton women's swimming and diving team competes for a third straight Ivy League title next year. That announcement, along with the 2010-11 team award recipients, were announced during Thursday night's team banquet.
Both Monroe and Gruendel are 2011 first-team All-Ivy League honorees who helped Princeton to a thrilling wire-to-wire victory at the 2011 championship meet, held at DeNunzio Pool. Monroe was part of the winning 400 free and 400 medley relays, while Gruendel was a winner in the 200 free relay. Monroe, a former All-America in the 800 free relay, also placed second to freshman teammate Lisa Boyce in the 100 back and third in the 200 back; Gruendel also reached two championship finals and placed seventh in the 200 IM.
Below are the 2011 team award winners, along with a full description of each award:
The Jerry Horton Award for Women's Most Valuable Swimmer
Presented to the woman swimmer or swimmers whose consistently outstanding performance contributed most to the team's success. Established by Jerry Horton '42, longtime friend of Princeton Swimming.
Megan Waters did everything that could be asked of her during her senior season, and then some. She was a perfect 7-for-7 at the Ivy League Championships; she won individual titles in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly, and set Princeton records in each. She was also a winner in the 200 and 400 free and 200 and 400 medley relays. Waters was named the Ivy League Championships Swimmer of the Meet and qualified for the NCAA Championships, where she placed as high as 19th in the 50 free.
Friends of Princeton Swimming & Diving Award for Women
To be presented to a member of the women's swimming and diving team whose perseverance in practice and effort in competition have led to greatest improvement in performance overall, during a single year or over a period of years.
Carolyn Littlefield earned this honor after capping her career in brilliant fashion. After not winning a collegiate meet through her first three and a half seasons, she came on with a fury when her team needed it most. She helped complete a sweep of H-Y-P weekend by winning both the 1- and 3-meter competition, and she followed with a win in the 3-meter competition at the Ivy League Championships. That victory gave her first-team All-Ivy League honors and helped her earn the High Career Point award for divers at the championship meet.
The Class of 2000 Susan S. Teeter Award
Presented to the senior swimmer who, during her four-year career,
distinguishes herself as an outstanding student and valuable member of
the women's swimming team.
Senior Ming Ong was the lone member of The Class of 2011 to serve as a captain this season (Monroe was also a co-captain), and her leadership was invaluable as Princeton completed a perfect regular season and held off a talented Harvard squad for the Ivy League title. She led both in and out of the pool, and her fourth-place finishes in the 500, 1000 and 1650 were important performances for Princeton against a strong Ivy League field.
The Class of 1974 Women's Swimming & Diving Award
Awarded to that upperclass woman who has shown consistent dedication to the sport and who has done the most to inspire team unity and enthusiasm. Presented originally by Cathy Corcione and Cece Herron, members of the Class of 1974.
Both Ming Ong and Megan Waters shared this award.
The Women's Freshman Swimming & Diving Award
Presented for outstanding sportsmanship and performance by a freshman. Established by the Friends of Princeton Swimming.
Both Lisa Boyce and Rachel Zambrowicz shared this honor after terrific freshman years for Princeton. Boyce set the Princeton record in the 100 back and won that event at her first Ivy League championship meet. She also placed second in the 100 free and third in the 50, and with the graduation of Waters, she could be Princeton's anchor in multiple relays for next season. Zambrowicz was named the Ivy League Championships Diver of the Meet after winning the 1-meter competition and placing third in the 3-meter competition. Her performance in the 1-meter win was all the more impressive considering the pressure of the moment; one point separated the top three spots.