Blaney, Morrison, Betz and Stevens Staff Take Top Honors
The Empire 8 Athletic Conference has announced the Swimmer, Diver Rookie and Coach of the Year awards for the 2014-15 men’s swimming and diving season. The conference coaches vote on the awards.
Hartwick senior Miles Blaney has been named the Swimmer of the Year and Ithaca senior Matt Morrison was tabbed the Diver of the Year. Stevens Institute of Technology freshman James Betz has been voted the Rookie of the Year while the Stevens staff is the Coaching Staff of the Year.
Blaney became an honorable mention All-American with a ninth place finish in the 200-freestyle at the National Championship. His time of 1:38.54 set a new Empire 8 record. He also participated in the 500-freestyle placing 27
th and the 100-freestyle placing 39
th. In mid-February, Blaney was selected the E8 co-Swimmer of the Meet at the Empire 8 Championships. He won the 200-free (1:40.49), set a new championship and conference record in the 500 free (4:28.54) and placed fourth in the 100-free (46.10).
Morrison competed in his third national championship and earned a pair of All-America finishes as he ended his career as a six-time All-American. He recorded a score of 517.75 in the 1-meter dive to finish fourth overall and scored a 561.00 in the 3-meter dive to rank third.
Morrison earned Male Diver of the Meet at the Upper New York State/Empire 8 Championships for the third straight year as he won both diving events. He scored a 588.40 on the 3-meter board and 562.80 on the 1-meter board.
Betz helped lead Stevens to its second straight UNYSCSA/Empire 8 title. He won the 1650-freestyle in an NCAA B-cut time of 15:53.09. Betz took second in the 500-free, clocking a B-cut on the back of his 4:34.48 and placed fifth in the 200-free (1:43.31).
Stevens head coach Brad Thornton and his staff guided the Ducks to a team standing of 40
th at the NCAA Championship. The Ducks won both the UNYSCSA and E8 crowns for the third time in as many years as they totaled 1,567.5 points. At the Empire 8 Championship, the Duck men earned 14 all-conference selections for individual events, including seven first team honorees and seven second-team honorees. Stevens swept three events, taking first and second team honors in the 1,650 free, 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. The Ducks also took first in all five relay events. The staff mentored junior Ravi Sun to his second straight NCAA Division III Championship where he turned in a personal best in the 200-IM, earned honorable mention in the 100-backstroke and first team All-America honors in the 200-backstroke.