NORMAL, Ill. – Members of the Illinois State swimming and diving team were honored at the annual end-of-the-year team banquet, held at the Hancock Stadium Club, April 10.
Senior Courtney Taylor was named the team's Most Valuable Swimmer, while senior Kelly Sanks was named the Most Valuable Diver. The two seniors scored the most points during the season.
Freshman Molly Hill and sophomore Karley Licking shared the team's Most Improved Award, as decided by the coaching staff. Freshman Savannah Rubocki was named Newcomer of the Year, awarded to the freshman who scored the most points throughout the season.
Rachel Root was the 2016 recipient of the DeDe Woytowych Endowed Scholarship, awarded to the student-athlete who showed the best work ethic, spirit and competitive nature, while having a positive impact on teammates and coaches.
Alyssa Swanson earned the Rebecca Wade Award, which honors the team member who shows the most perseverance and dedication to the sport of swimming, and is named in honor of Wade, a former Redbird swimmer who lost her battle with cancer on Oct. 8, 1999.
Ten Redbirds earned the Scholastic Award, which recognizes student-athletes with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.7 or higher. Those honored included: Maddie Farrell, Molly Hill, Yvette Kruk, Laura Paskoff, Rachel Root, Savannah Rubocki, Kelly Sanks, Molly Schatz, Kelsey Toland and Kristin Verkler.
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