May 21, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - On April 30th the Missouri men's and women's swimming and diving teams held their annual team banquet to recognize this year's team and individual accomplishments. Several awards were presented to individual swimmers and divers based on their performances throughout the season.

Swimming the 200 butterfly, 500 freestyle and 1,000 freestyle on a consistent basis may seem like a daunting task to many swimmers, but senior Rebecca Wolfe stepped up to the challenge and conquered as she was named the women's team MVP. Wolfe led the team with dual meet victories and even added a first place finish in the 200 butterfly at the Indiana Invite.

To set a school record in the morning and then re-set that same record later that evening is quite an accomplishment for a swimmer, and that's why sophomore Liz Schoborg was named the team's Big 12 Performer. Schoborg re-set the school record in the 100 butterfly, a record she already owned, during the Big 12 Championships. Schoborg's time in the 100 fly was a provisional qualifying cut for the NCAA Championships. Schoborg also went on to place second in the 200 butterfly and 14th in the 50 freestyle during the championships.

Collegiate competition can be very intimidating for even the most experienced athletes, but freshman Amy Charley was able to succeed during her first year on the college level as she was named Mizzou's Most Improved Swimmer. In just her third dual meet, Charley earned her first victory as she won the 200 IM against Kansas. During her freshman season Charley set three new personal bests and is ranked among MU's top-five times in the backstroke.

Having three very talented divers and only one Diver of the Year award made it very difficult to name one definite recipient, but in the end sophomore Nicole Frazier received the nod. Throughout the course of the dual meet season, the women's diving team of Frazier, Anna Massey and Kim Massaro collaborated to outscore every opponent they faced. At the Big 12 Championships, Frazier made a miraculous comeback as she managed to climb from eighth to finish fourth on the platform. Frazier also recorded an eighth place finish on the platform at the NCAA Zone Diving Championships.

The Harry Bell award is handed out annually to a member of the women's team that has overcome difficulties and has been able to succeed despite setbacks. This year's recipient was senior Shannon Hollsten.