April 20, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State swimming and diving teams celebrated the 2014-15 season with their annual banquet Sunday, April 12 at the Nittany Lion Inn. The event recognized the season's accomplishments both in and out of the pool with the presentation of the team's major awards.
The major awards that were presented this year were the Ellen Perry and Robert Krimmel Academic Achievement Award, the Nittany Lion Award, the 1855 Award, the L.D. MacNeilll and Elizabeth McCoy Most Outstanding Swimmer Award, the Robert E. Galbraith Award and the Jerome Weinstein Award.
The Ellen Perry & Robert Krimmel Academic Achievement Awards is presented each year to the student-athlete on each the women's and men's team that has attained the highest level of academic excellence throughout the season. The 2014-15 award winners were Megan Siverling and Andrew Scheuhler.
Jonathan Ekstrom and Taylor Cameron were presented with the Nittany Lion Award for their perseverance and effort as the most improved swimmers during the year. Ekstrom, a senior, recorded a lifetime bests in all his events at the Big Ten conference championships. At her Big Ten conference meet, Cameron recorded significant time improvements in her 100 and 200 breaststroke and was a member of the 400 medley relay, where she swam the breaststroke leg.
The 1855 Award is presented to the student-athletes whose improvement, transformation and personal growth mirrors that of Penn State since its founding. The first recipients of this award are Megan Siverling and Nick Ankosko. Siverling leaves Penn State as the school record holder in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle. Ankosko leaves as the school record holder in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle.
Nate Savoy and Carolyn Fittin were named the L.D. MacNeill and Elizabeth McCoy Outstanding Swimmers. The award is one of a kind as it is voted on by the swimming and diving team and is given to the swimmer or swimmers who contribute the most to the team's success by consistently achieving outstanding performances throughout the year. Savoy was a two time All-American honorable mention this year with his consolation finishes of 13th in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 200 backstroke. Fittin achieved All-American status as a member of the school record 800 free relay and became the first Nittany Lion in school history to break 22 seconds with her NCAA championship preliminary swim of 21.98.
T.J. Schenkel was awarded the Robert E. Galbraith Award for his outstanding contributions through performance, loyalty, spirit and leadership by a as Penn State diver. He earned a 14th place finish at the 2015 Big Ten championship on the 1 meter board and a pair of top 15 finishes at the NCAA Zone A Regionals. He was the Nittany Lions' top diver this year with scores of 322.19 on the 1 meter and 349.80 on the 3 meter.
The Jerome Weinstein Award is presented to the team members who are not only the hardest workers, but also those that are sure to give 100 percent to their teammates emotionally and physically through the good and tough times. The 2014-15 recipients were Caitlyn Karr and Nate Savoy. Karr anchored the team record 800 free relay to a 7th place finish with a 1:45.75 and has been a mainstay on the Nittany Lion freestyle relays throughout her career. Savoy has been the do everything for the Nittany Lion men's team with top five all-time times in the 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 200 IM. He is also a member of the school record 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
Captain awards were also presented to Nate Savoy and Larry Virgilio on the men's side and to Carolyn Fittin and Caitlyn Karr on the women's side for their help leading the men's team to a 24th NCAA finish and women's team to a 20th place finish.
The 2015 seniors include Nick Ankoso, Jonathan Ekstrom, Kyle Madley, Ryan Magee,l Nate Savoy, T.J. Schenkel, Larry Virgilio, Jeffrey Young, Carolyn Fittin, Meredith Harbison, Caitlyn Karr, Katelyn Miller and Megan Siverling.
Next up for the Nittany Lions is the 2015 Open Water National Championships April 24th-26th at the Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club in Miromar Lakes, Fla. Casey Francis will be competing in the 5k and 10K. The Championships will serve as the U.S. Trials for the FINA Open Water World Championships, the Pan American Games Open Water Team and the World University Games Open Water Team.