Swimming and diving head coach awarded

The DU men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach Brian Schrader won the an Award of Excellence given by the American Swimming Coaches Association.

The ASCA annually recognizes those coaches who coach a swimmer to a top-8 finish at one of several USA national-level championships.

Last season Schrader coached senior Blake Worsley  to his second NCAA Championship appearance in only his third season with the program. He has also led the team to 19 new records in this short amount of time.

Swimming and diving announce captains

Both men’s and women’s teams announced the captains for the 2009-10 squad. Senior Cody Stambaugh, a diver and junior Garth Summers, who swims the butterfly and the individual medley have been selected captains for the men’s team. Seniors Amanda McNally, a freestyle swimmer and Olivia Dean, who swims the butterfly, freestyle and individual medley were chosen to lead the women’s team.

“These are our leaders in the pool and in the classroom, and they set the standard for the team,” said head coach Brian Schrader.

Senior volleyball player honored

Junior Emmy Davidsmeyer was named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week by the 13 head coaches in the Sun Belt Conference. Her performance during the Pioneer Classic this past week was what got her the award. This is the second offensive award that the Pioneers have earned this season and Davidsmeyer’s fourth honor of her career.

The Colorado Springs native currently leads the Sun Belt in kills per set, while placing third among the hitting percentage leaders.

Tennis player beats long-time friend

Sophia Bergner, a freshman at DU recently knocked off defending Colorado State Open champion Ute Schnoy. The kicker here is that Sophia and Ute have been friends for a long time.

The two are also teammates at DU and have played against each other since they were playing junior tennis in their home country of Germany.

Bergner has only been in the United States for two weeks and Schnoy has has taken her under her wing and tutored her since her arrival here.

“It was really quiet when we drove [to the match],” said Bergner.

“I don’t like this having to play against her. It was a really strange feeling. You don’t know how to react on the court or what to say before the match.”

Catch both players in action this weekend as they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to compete in the Air Force Invitational.