April 10, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA announced its 2008 swimming and diving specialty award winners today, as selected by the conference's head coaches. The Mustangs' Jennifer Blackman is this year's Swimmer of the Year, while Sascha Van den Branden of SMU claimed the Freshman Swimmer of the Year honor.

Blackman, a senior, also claimed Swimmer of the Meet honors at the 2008 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. Blackman's efforts at the league championship helped SMU break 11 meet and pool records to set the new team scoring mark at 926 points. In the NCAA Championships, Blackman achieved All-American status in four events. She finished 10th in the 200 free and was a part of three Mustang relays. The 200 free relay team finished 12th, the 800 free relay took 6th and the 400 free relay also finished in 6th. Blackman holds top three team times in three individual events, including a team-best 4:47.12 in the 500 free.

Van den Branden also helped SMU claim its 12th consecutive league title and earned All-America honors in three relays with the Mustangs at the NCAA Championships. The freshman helped her team to a 12th place finish in the 200 free relay and helped both the 400 and 800 free relays to 6th place finishes.

2008 C-USA SWIMMING & DIVING SPECIALTY AWARDS

Swimmer of the Year
Jennifer Blackman, SMU

Newcomer of the Year
Jenny Johnson, Marshall

Diver of the Year
Ginni van Katwijk, Houston

Freshman Swimmer of the Year
Sascha Van den Branden, SMU

Freshman Diver of the Year
Lacey Truelove, Houston