WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING

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UB Women's Swimming and Diving Announces Awards

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s swimming and diving squad announced its team awards for the 2007-08 season. Head coach Andy Bashor made the following presentations: Jessie Koltz (Chenengo Bridge, NY/Chenengo Valley) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Sam Eckert (Eden, NY/Eden) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Meghan Lafferty (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) received the Coaches’ Award; and Andrea Lehner (Lockport, NY/Orchard Park) was named Most Outstanding.

Jessie Koltz

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Koltz won the consolation final of the 50-yard freestyle at the Mid-American Conference Championships, in a lifetime-best time of 23.61.She also was third in the consolation final of the 100-yard freestyle in 51.96, setting another lifetime best. Koltz was also part of three record-setting relays at the league meet, including swimming the opening leg of UB's 200-yard freestyle relay.

Sam Eckert

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Eckert finished sixth in the 100-yard butterfly at the MAC Championships, posting a lifetime-best time of 55.91. She also set a lifetime-best in the 200-yard butterfly (2:11.74) at the meet. Eckert also swam the butterfly portion of UB's record-setting 400-yard medley relay.

Meghan Lafferty

The Coaches’ Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Lafferty anchored UB's 200-yard freestyle relay to a record time of 1:34.52 at the MAC Championships. She also posted lifetime bests in both her individual events at the MAC Championships. She turned in a 53.12 in the 100-yard freestyle and a 1:56.77 in the 200-yard freestyle.

Andrea Lehner

The Most Outstanding Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Lehner, in her first season at UB after competing her freshman year at Maryland, became the first UB women’s swimmer to earn a MAC championship since 2005 as she won the 100-yard backstroke, setting a school record (55.74). Lehner also reached the championship finals of the 200-yard backstroke and the 500-yard freestyle, setting new school records in both. In all, Lehner set four individual school records and was part of three of UB’s four record setting relay teams at the MAC Championships, earning First Team All-MAC honors. She also earned an honorable mention on Collegeswimming.com's All-American list.

The Bulls completed their season with a 6-5 overall record and were 3-4 in MAC competition. The Bulls placed fifth at the MAC Championships, held at UB's Alumni Arena Natatorium. The finish was the team's highest placing since 2002.