Boston College Athletics
Swimming Hands Out 2001-02 Postseason Awards
April 11, 2002 | Swimming
April 11, 2002
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College head men's and women's swimming and diving coach Tom Groden held his annual banquet awards dinner Thursday evening at The Heights Room on Boston College's campus.
The 2001-02 most valuable performer award went to senior Lauren Schwartz (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and sophomore Caitlin Healey (Needham, Mass.) for the women's team, and freshman Brandon Twichell (Fayetteville, N.Y.) was given the distinguished honor on the men's team. This award has been around since 1973, which was the first season of Boston College swimming. The winner is determined by the team members, and the criteria is "who do you feel was the most valuable (swimmer of diver) to the team in 2001-02?"
Sophomores Lisa DelSignore (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Andy Naumann (Tucson, Ariz.) were honored with the prestigious Kevin Conway Award. This award is named for Kevin Conway ('94), who was both a swimmer and a diver at Boston College. At the end of the year while celebrating the finish of exams at Rockport, Conway was swept off the jetties into the ocean and drowned. To be eligible for the award, the nominee has to be a sophomore. Coach Groden chooses the recipient based on 'promises fulfilled', which means the swimmer or diver made the most of what was available to him or her.
Junior Matthew Baker (Lakewood, Wash.) and Caitlin Healey were named the Harold M. Groden M.D. Award winners, which is given to a swimmer or diver for the outstanding individual performance of the season - in a situation where he or she 'rose to the occasion' for the benefit of the team. This award is named after Tom Groden's father, who was a Boston College hockey player ('35). Dr. Groden recognized the importance of competition and striving for excellence in athletics as well as academics.
Junior Nina Suryoutomo (Fremont, Calif.) and senior Steve Hunter (Chester, N.Y.) were honored with the Mary Pawlak Award. This award originated in 1988 as The Coach's Award. In 1992, Pawlak ('88) joined the team as a coach and after one season succumbed to Hodgkins Disease. She made a big contribution when she returned to Boston College as an assistant coach. This special recognition award goes to a male and female swimmers who will help fill the void of those athletes who do not get the recognition they deserve.
