April 29, 2008
DALLAS (SMU)--The No. 14 SMU men's swimming and diving team held its annual awards banquet Tuesday night in the Hall of Champions in the Loyd All-Sports Center.
Among those honored were Matt Culbertson, Nate Clark, Alex Hetland and Shane Milu.
Culbertson was given the Newcomer of the Year award. The freshman diver narrowly missed the NCAA cut, but took home silver on both the one-and three-meter boards at the Conference USA invitational in February. Culbertson also placed fourth in the one-meter and sixth in the three-meter board at the Zone D trials.
Clark earned the team's Most Improved award after breaking five personal best times this season. The junior swam career-fastest times in the 200 fly (1:46.08), 400 IM (3:51.34), 100 free (44.86), 200 free (1:36.36) and the 500 free (4:20.99) and earned a spot at the U.S. Olympic trials this summer. Clark also set three new Conference USA records this season, winning the 500 free in a new C-USA time and helping the 400 and 800 free relays to new conference records.
Hetland was named the team's MVP for the second season. The senior is a 12-time conference champion and eight-time All-American. This season, Hetland broke two career-fastest marks in the 100 breast (52.61) and 200 breast (1:58.81). He also helped set a new school record in the 200 medley relay and new conference records in the 200 and 400 medley relays. In addition, Hetland also set C-USA records in both breast events, en route to the Mustangs' 12th-consecutive conference championship and the team's highest NCAA finish in seven years. This season, Hetland was also honored with the prestigious President's Award for excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
Milu was given the Red Barr Memorial Award. Each year a senior is presented with the award, in memory of the legendary SMU coach A.R. Red Barr. The award goes to the athlete who best exhibits the qualities of dedication, loyalty, leadership, humility and compassion. Milu was a walk-on his freshman year and in four years, has progressed to breaking personal bests in each of his events and earning a U.S. Olympic trial spot this summer.
The five seniors, Jani Brackett, Brett Denham, Hetland, Milu and Patrick Raschle presented the team's Senior Award, which is given by the senior class to the person who has helped them the most over their four years. The class of 2008 presented the award to head coach Eddie Sinnott, noting that he had taken four walk-ons and turned them into conference champions, All-Americans and NCAA top-20 finishers.
Hetland then announced the tri-captains of next year's squad. The team elected Clark, Daniel Veale and Chris Ginder to lead the team into another successful season.
The team also honored this year's letterwinners and All-Americans.
