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Out of the Pool

Once a year Connecticut swimmers leave their suits and goggles behind, dry their hair and journey to the  Connecticut Swimming Awards Banquet. It is at this annual banquet that the Connecticut Swimming community comes together to honor its athletes, coaches and volunteers. Over three hundred athletes were recognized as Top 16 individual event finalists and/or Scholar-Athletes along with outstanding coaches and dedicated volunteers.  Click Here for pictures.

Awards Banquet

Swimmer of the Year
Ben Michaelson

The highest honor an athlete can receive went to Ben Michaelson of SCSU and SOCO.  Ben made his first Junior National cut the summer of 1998 at the Connecticut  Senior Championships. At Junior Championships, in Buffalo, he finished first alternate, almost last in the event.  Through scratches, he swam in the bonus final and swam a respectable 58.5 in the 100 Meter Butterfly. Since then, the sport of swimming has changed drastically for Ben. This year, as a freshman in college, he set three school records a Southern Connecticut State University:  100 Y Free (46.37), 200 Y Fly (1:52.87) and the 100 Y Fly  ( 49.10).  He also set three Metropolitan Conference Records and was named Metropolitan Conference Swimmer of the Year. In March of this year, Ben finished third  in the 100 yard butterfly at the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championships while setting the pool record earlier in the day during prelims.  His time of 49.10 was the fastest time in the event and also qualified him for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis in August of this year. Seeded 48^th out of 90 going into Olympic Trials, Ben swam a great back half to win his heat and finish 20^th overall.. He was one of only of six athletes under age 18 to qualify for that event. His time of 55.03 placed him third in the USA National Top 16 and thirteenth all-time for 17-18 year olds in the U.S. He holds two Connecticut Senior and four Connecticut Age Group Records.          -Submitted by Tim Quill.

Ben is currently coached by Tim Quill, Head Coach of SCSU and SOCO.  Ben began swimming at age six and swam with Cliff Johnston (WAC), Frank Keefe (OMNI) and most recently with Mike Diverniero (Mic-Dev) at ARAC.  Read Ben's Acceptance Speech.

Ben is pictured here with Coach Tim Quill.

Awards Banquet

Outstanding Achievement Award
Dana Albrycht

Dana Albrycht (OAK) was named to the 2000 Paralympic Team this past June after his performance at the USA Disability Championships.  Dana won the 100 meter fly and took the American Record in that event as well.  Dana competed in 4 individual events plus relays this past October at the Paralympic Games in Sydney. 

Awards Banquet

Outstanding Achievement Award
Deborah Gruen

American Record holder, Deborah Gruen (HNHS) was honored with the Outstanding Achievement award for her outstanding swims at the USA Disability Championships, taking seven medals, including three golds and a silver .  Deborah is the current American Record holder for the women's 100 fly (S7) and has since, unofficially, broken her own record.    

Awards Banquet

Phillips 66 Service Award
Mary Anne Condon

This year's recipient, Mary Anne Condon, has dedicated almost fifteen years to Connecticut Swimming, as a member of the board, its committees, and on the club level.  She began her volunteer service as an official in 1987 and a year later joined the Age Group Committee.  After three years as a committee member, Mary Anne chaired the committee for four years and then went on to chair Program Development. The next year, Mary Anne was elected General Chair and served in that capacity for five years.  Currently, Mary Anne serves on the board as Past General Chairman. While Mary Anne's achievements are many, the following lists some of her major accomplishments: She started the USS Camps program in Connecticut in 1991 and worked National Age Group Camps and Racing Camps for several years.  Mary Anne set up and coordinated the two elite training camps at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  She established the Scholar-Athlete Program and Coaches Educational Incentive Program and promoted the development of improved budgeting and financial reporting.  As well has  her Connecticut Swimming commitments, Mary Anne also serves on the USA Swimming Age Group Committee. 

  Awards Banquet

Senior Coach of the Year
Ellen Johnston

Ellen Johnston, selected for this award by her peers, is the Senior Coach for the Westport/Weston Water Rat Swim Team (WRAT) and has many years of coaching experience behind her.  Ellen has coached numerous YMCA National finalists, including two champions in the 1650 freestyle, Junior Championship qualifiers and National Championship qualifiers.  Most recently, two of her swimmers qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials.  

Awards Banquet

Age Group Coach of the Year
Ed Steinnagel

Ed began his coaching career fifteen years ago with LEHY when his daughter joined the team.  With a background in teaching, Ed educated himself by attending clinics, asking many questions, and coaching under the guidance of LEHY Head Coach, Herb Aas.  Since assuming the head coach position in 1993, he has built the LEHY program into a tremendous developmental program winning age group team titles in the 11/12 Girls and 10/U boys this past year. 

Awards Banquet

Volunteer Recognition

Five-year:  Bonnie Fisher, Pam Libertiny and George Miles
Ten-year:  Mary Anne Condon
Fifteen-year:  Bill Krumm and Mary Lynch
Twenty-year:  Barbara Ehmer and Judy Snow

Awards Banquet

Athlete-Scholar

Carrie Abildgaard (HNHS) Three-consecutive years!

* USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Team

Awards Banquet

Individual High Point Awards

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