Swimming and Diving Celebrate Year at Awards Banquet

May 12, 2023 | Swimming & Diving

By: Nancy Worley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Louisville swimming and diving team celebrated its historic season at the Cardinals yearly awards banquet Friday evening at the PNC Club.

The awards list is as follows:

Freshman of the Year – This award is voted by the team and awarded annually at the end of the season to the most promising new team member:
Julia Dennis
Guy Brooks

Ralph Wright Most Memorable Performance Award – This award voted by the team and presented annually to the individual OR performance which inspires the team with the most memorable moment.
Paige Hetrick – 200 Free Prelims at NCAA Championships
Abdelrahman Elaraby – 50 Free ACC Champion

Cardinal Spirit Award – This award is given annually to the individual that demonstrates commitment and team spirit to the University and Athletic Department. They are accountable to themselves, their team, family, and community, and have PRIDE in being a Cardinal. They continually encourage their teammates around them to be the best Cardinal that they can be.
Tristen Ulett
Grace Leonard
Aidan Kreiley
Rob Ehrenborg

Underclassmen Unity Award – This award is given annually to the individual swimmer or diver who helps to unify the underclassmen and bridge the gap between upperclassmen. This individual shows future promise as a leader and demonstrates a serious commitment to the vision of the program.
Ella Welch
Tommy Bried

Joseph Mittel Award – This award is presented annually to the graduating senior who has consistently supported the team in the devotion to training and competition.
Abby Hay
Mike Eastman

Relay Award – This award is presented to the swimmer who has taken an individual sport to the highest team level by inspired performances as a member of relay teams. Relay award winners consistently performed at their best when others were depending on them.

W 200 & 400 Free Relay 3^rd at NCAA Championships – Gabi Albiero, Christiana Regenauer, Julia Dennis, Ella Welch

M 200 Medley Relay Top 8 at NCAA Championships - Dalton Lowe, Denis Petrashov, Abdelrahman Elaraby, Michael Eastman

Most Improved – This award is presented to the swimmer or diver who best demonstrated the persistence and dedication in their sport with proven exceptional performance improvement over the course of the season. This individual displayed an attitude of purpose on a daily basis.
Fernanda Celidonio
Luke Shourds
Tommy Bried

Coaches Award – This award is given annually to the swimmer or diver who best demonstrates the true spirit of Louisville Swimming and Diving. It is an award in which the means justify the end. It is given not only for hard work and personal improvement, but for a willingness to enter into a partnership with coach and teammates in an effort to recognize one's full potential. The recipient of this award has participated in the struggle, each and every day, and in the end found victory over personal limitations.
Christiana Regenauer
Lindsay Gizzi
Dalton Lowe

Rick Hill Award – Awarded annually to the swimmer or diver chosen by teammates and coaches as the most valuable member of the squad.
Gabi Albiero
Else Praasterink
Denis Petrashov

Christine Simatacolos Cardinal Supporter Award – Awarded annually to an individual of the swimming and diving community, who actively supports the team, and is a valued member of this organization.
Kate O'Bryan

Igniting Performance - Awarded to the individual(s) who had an igniting performance, setting the tone for the team's performance.
Women's ACC 800 Free Relay – Tristen Ulett, Paige Hetrick, Fernanda Celidonio, Ella Welch

Murilo Sartori – 200 & 100 Free vs. Notre Dame

Perseverance Award – Awarded to the swimmer or diver who shows that with the odds against them, they keep fighting and never give up.
Paige Hetrick
Che Stephens