Following the final day of competition at the Missouri Valley Conference swimming and diving championship, three individuals representing Illinois State were honored with prestigious awards. Julie Cocks was voted Swimmer of the Year, Krystal Featherston was awarded Diver of the Year, and first year diving coach Carly Weiden earned the Diving Coach of the Year award.
The awards were voted on by the conference coaches, and are given based on individual performance throughout the year and at the Valley championship meet. Weiden was very happy to win the award, and quick to give all the credit to her team.
Its a great honor to win the Diving Coach of the Year award my first year, said Weiden. Its a pretty prestigious award, but I owe it all to my divers. They had a fantastic year, and made me look good.
This marks the second Diver of the Year award for Featherston, as she also received the award for her efforts in the 2002-2003 season. Featherston defended her titles in the 1-meter and 3-meter events at this years meet, winning the 1-meter with a score of 251.80, and the 3-meter with a 381.10. Featherston was honored with Diver of the Week accolades from the Valley four times throughout the season, and held the top Valley scores in the 1-meter, 3-meter, and 3-meter 11 dive events for the majority of the season.
Krystal had an outstanding season, and is very deserving of the Diver of the Year award, said Weiden. Its so great to see her rewarded for all of her hard work.
Cocks was awarded Swimmer of the Year after winning three individual events at the Valley championship. She defended her title in the 100 butterfly and won the 100 backstroke, posting a personal best time in the 100 back with a 58.46, and winning the butterfly with a 57.50. She also won the 200 backstroke in another personal best 2.04.63. Cocks still holds the Valley record in the 100 butterfly event with a time of 56.41, which she set at the 2002-2003 championship meet. Cocks was the only competitor at this years championship meet to win three individual events.
Head coach
Steve Paska was extremely pleased with the honors awarded his team members and diving coach.
Julie and Krystal both had fantastic junior seasons, said Paska. For Krystal to come here and repeat as Diver of the Year is a tremendous feat and honor. Julie being voted Swimmer of the Year is a very prestigious honor, shes a very focused individual and came in here with a lot of energy, I know she loves swimming in this meet. Those two were very consistent and shined this weekend, they were a highlight of this years championship meet.
The depth of our diving program under Carlys guidance has been absolutely phenomenal, Paska continued. For her to be voted Diving Coach of the Year in her first year coaching is fanstastic. She has so much to do with the success of this diving team and has been great to work with this year. Her future in this profession is bright.
