The Cornell women's swimming and diving team had their end of year banquet recently and announced their yearly award winners as well as electing the 2010-11 captains.
The team's diving awards included most valuable player which was given to senior Jennifer Park and the hardest worker award which went to classmate Katy Aden. Park has seen steady improvement in her four years on the team, and she placed 15th overall in the 1-meter dive event at the Ivy championships. A three-year letterwinner, Aden's presence was immediately felt in the diving program, and she has won the team's hardest worker award an amazing three years in a row. She had a fantastic 1-meter dive at the 2009 Ivy championships which was sixth best in Cornell history. Both Aden and Park also scored points for the team in the bonus final of the 3-meter diving competition.
The most valuable player for the swimmers was sophomore Chiara Spinazzola, while freshman Kim Summers won the hardest worker award. A first-team All-Ivy performer in the 100 back and second-team All-Ivy performer in the 100 fly, Spinazzola set five school records at the Ivy championships. Her conference title in the 100 back was an Ivy and meet record mark as well as an NCAA B cut time. The first Ivy champion for the women's squad since 2005-06, Spinazzola also helped the 200 medley relay squad to a third place finish and pool record in the event and the 400 medley relay team to a fourth-place finish overall in a school-record time. Highlights for Summers in her rookie season included wins in the 1000 free vs. Brown and the 200 free vs. Binghamton.
Co-winners of the team overall achievement and leadership award were seniors Laura Acchione and Emily Caras. Both have served the Big Red well, receiving four letters for their careers and having served as captains in their senior season. Acchione contributed valuable points at the Ivy championships this year, scoring in the consoles of the 200 fly. And, Caras had a blazing 51.51 in the consolation finals of the 100 free and then turned around and won the 200 breast consolation final as well.
The Big Red also awarded the team spirit award which went to senior Jill Berlin. After being sidelined with an illness for a portion of her first year, Berlin came back with a renewed purpose in the following seasons and has been a consistent contributor on the team.
The team also elected captains for the 2010-11 season at the banquet, and chosen for that honor were Christina DiMaria and Meg Farrington.
