TicketsCINCINNATI— The University of Cincinnati Swimming and Diving program honored 11 student-athletes at its end-of-season banquette and award ceremony on Friday, April 14.
// SEASON REVIEW
Cincinnati's historic 2022-23 season saw a staggering 12 program records fall and 84 all-time top-10 performances recorded over the span of 13 meets.
On the national landscape, the Bearcats closed out the season with 16 NCAA 'B' Cut times, three NCAA Diving Zone Qualifiers, while freshman Joleigh Crye represented the program at the women's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100-yard breaststroke.
In the program's last appearance at the American Athletic Conference Championships before Cincinnati enters the Big 12 next season, the Bearcats captured 24 podium finishes and six event titles.
Leading the charge for the record-breaking season was head coach Mandy Commons-DiSalle, who finished her ninth season at the helm. Since taking over the program, Commons-DiSalle has overseen 532 all-time top-10 performances, 98 new school records, 48 AAC Champions, 233 AAC podium finishes, eight AAC Swimmers of the Year, seven NCAA Qualifiers and four All-Americans.
// SEASON AWARDS
The Cincinnati swimming and diving program handed out six awards – Bearcat Award, Performance of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable and Legacy Award – to a member of the men's and women's teams.
Most Valuable
The Most Valuable Athlete Award is presented to the athlete who consistently performs at a high level, contributing to the overall success of the team in individual points and positively leads the team and is invested in the success of the program.
This season's Most Valuable Award honorees were freshman Joleigh Crye and junior Hunter Gubeno.
Crye had one of the best individual seasons by a freshman in program history. At the end of her first season, Crye's name now appears in the record book 11 times. She currently holds the program records in the 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard medley relay. During the season, she broke the 100-yard breaststroke record three times. Crye also left her legacy in the AAC as she won the 100-yard breaststroke at the AAC Championships with a new meet record of 59.07 seconds. Crye was also the lone representative for the Bearcats at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Gubeno had an outstanding season from start to finish that ended with him being named the 2023 AAC Men's Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year. The Howell, Mich., native claimed two AAC titles in the 100-yard in 47.64 seconds and 200-yard backstroke in 1:41.80. He now holds 13 program all-time top-10 times and owns seven program records, as four were set this season.
"Hunter has had continued growth over the course of his time here, but I would say this season was as close to perfect as possible," Commons-DiSalle said.
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award is presented to an exceptional athlete who, over the course of their career, has significantly impacted the program on a consistent basis that leaves a legacy behind them.
In the first-ever installment of the Legacy Award, this year's recipient was senior Michael Balcerak.
"It is rare that you have an athlete so overwhelmingly dominant in your program who not only makes an impact their first season but repeats that performance year after year," Commons-DiSalle said.
Balcerak's name appears in the record book a staggering 31 times and currently holds six school records. A two-time AAC Swimmer of the Year honoree, he has earned 27 conference championship medals, only not medaling in one race over his four-year career. He ended his career earning 11 AAC championship gold medals and leaves Cincinnati as one of the most decorated swimmers in UC history.
Bearcat Award
The Bearcat Award is presented to the athlete who is a positive role model to the team in all respects, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, character, leadership and is committed and dedicated to the team's development over the season. Lastly, goes above and beyond to reinforce our "ONETEAM" motto and family culture.
This year's Bearcat Award winners were junior Logan Lawhorn and senior Kevin Leibold
"Lawhorn has gone above and beyond for this team," Commons-DiSalle said. "She is extremely selfless and puts the team's needs ahead of her own because she truly cares about each of her teammates. She is not afraid to address the team's concerns or needs and help find solutions. On top of that, she is extremely dedicated to the sport. She puts her best effort in on a daily basis, is passionate about what she is doing and keeps finding ways to improve while encouraging others around her. She is dedicated to the Bearcats and has certainly made an impact on the future of the program."
"Leibold stepped up this season in a big way for the men's team," Commons-DiSalle added. "His sense of responsibility to the team this year made him a very dedicated & effective captain. His maturity level developed in him over the course of his time at UC. That paid off for him in his final year as well as finding success and recording personal best times in the pool this season."
Breakthrough Season
This award is typically given to a sophomore, junior or senior who has shown the most dramatic improvement over the duration of the season while demonstrating leadership, team spirit and embracing the "ONE TEAM" motto.
This year's Breakthrough Season Award winners were sophomores Maddy Hensler and Collin Singler.
"Hensler had quite the year," Commons-DiSalle said. "We have watched her grow a lot personally this year, which I believe really helped develop her confidence throughout the season. She really embraced training in a different way this year, dedicated to improving her stroke and seeing the results come along throughout the year. While she may have been hesitant at times, she trusted the process and believed in herself and posted all best times at our conference meet and establishing herself as one of our dominant distance swimmers."
"Singler was extremely focused on putting a great season together this year," Commons-DiSalle added. "Every time a little adversity hits him, he uses that as fuel to be better. He is dedicated to doing the little things right and determined to make improvements wherever he can. This all came together, and he was able to perform throughout the season consistently. He went into the conference championships with that same determination and not only posted personal best times in his events but found his way to the podium on his final swim."
Performance of the Year
The Performance of the Year Award honors a team member who, through hard work and dedication, achieved a performance throughout the season that was exceptional. This performance put them in an elite standing within the conference and national level.
This year's Performance of the Year Award winners was freshman Lily Jones performance in the 200-yard backstroke and junior Drew Hawthorne's performance in the 50-yard freestyle.
On the final day of the AAC Championships, Jones put on a spectacular performance winning the women's 200-yard backstroke with a program-record time of 1:56.55.
"Watching her continue to set and break goals throughout the season was exciting to witness," Commons-DiSalle said. "Watching her put together a championship performance, personal best, and school record all on the last day of the meet was even more exciting."
Hawthorne's award-winning performance took place at the AAC Championships as well. He swam the second-fastest 50-yard freestyle in school history with a time of 19.82 seconds, earning him a silver medal at the championships.
"While the swim wasn't unexpected, he put the work in consistently throughout the year, it was exciting nonetheless to witness a 19-second 50-yard freestyle that was the second fastest 50 in UC history," Commons-DiSalle added.
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year Award is given to a first-year team member who consistently performs at a high level, consistently shows a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach and is the most valuable rookie in contributing overall points.
This season's Rookie of the Year Award winners are freshmen classmates Grace Gavin and Brogan Robinson.
Gavin posted four lifetime-best throughout the season and broke in the UC all-time top 10 list eight times. She also broke three UC records in the 50-yard backstroke (25.61), 200-yard individual medley (1:59.34), and 200-yard medley relay (1:39.59). The Saint Johns, Fla., native was the highest freshman individual point scorer at this year's AAC Championships and walked away with two medals.
"Gavin made an immediate impact on our program this season," Commons-DiSalle said. "She came in this season, was able to adjust relatively easily and got to work, focused on putting together a great season ahead of her."
Robinson earned the award after an impressive AAC Championship meet. He broke into program's all-time top-10 ranks in six different events, including posting the fourth-fastest 100-yard individual medley.
"A stellar freshman year for Robinson led him to be our male Rookie of the Year, Commons-DiSalle added. "As a freshman, he consistently performed throughout the season. He has grown tremendously as an athlete, I have no doubt he will continue the path that he is on, which will lead to even greater success down the road."
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
To stay up to date with the latest swimming and diving news, photos and videos, follow the teams on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@GoBearcatsSwim).
// SEASON REVIEW
Cincinnati's historic 2022-23 season saw a staggering 12 program records fall and 84 all-time top-10 performances recorded over the span of 13 meets.
On the national landscape, the Bearcats closed out the season with 16 NCAA 'B' Cut times, three NCAA Diving Zone Qualifiers, while freshman Joleigh Crye represented the program at the women's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100-yard breaststroke.
In the program's last appearance at the American Athletic Conference Championships before Cincinnati enters the Big 12 next season, the Bearcats captured 24 podium finishes and six event titles.
Leading the charge for the record-breaking season was head coach Mandy Commons-DiSalle, who finished her ninth season at the helm. Since taking over the program, Commons-DiSalle has overseen 532 all-time top-10 performances, 98 new school records, 48 AAC Champions, 233 AAC podium finishes, eight AAC Swimmers of the Year, seven NCAA Qualifiers and four All-Americans.
// SEASON AWARDS
The Cincinnati swimming and diving program handed out six awards – Bearcat Award, Performance of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable and Legacy Award – to a member of the men's and women's teams.
Most Valuable
The Most Valuable Athlete Award is presented to the athlete who consistently performs at a high level, contributing to the overall success of the team in individual points and positively leads the team and is invested in the success of the program.
This season's Most Valuable Award honorees were freshman Joleigh Crye and junior Hunter Gubeno.
Crye had one of the best individual seasons by a freshman in program history. At the end of her first season, Crye's name now appears in the record book 11 times. She currently holds the program records in the 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard medley relay. During the season, she broke the 100-yard breaststroke record three times. Crye also left her legacy in the AAC as she won the 100-yard breaststroke at the AAC Championships with a new meet record of 59.07 seconds. Crye was also the lone representative for the Bearcats at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Gubeno had an outstanding season from start to finish that ended with him being named the 2023 AAC Men's Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year. The Howell, Mich., native claimed two AAC titles in the 100-yard in 47.64 seconds and 200-yard backstroke in 1:41.80. He now holds 13 program all-time top-10 times and owns seven program records, as four were set this season.
"Hunter has had continued growth over the course of his time here, but I would say this season was as close to perfect as possible," Commons-DiSalle said.
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award is presented to an exceptional athlete who, over the course of their career, has significantly impacted the program on a consistent basis that leaves a legacy behind them.
In the first-ever installment of the Legacy Award, this year's recipient was senior Michael Balcerak.
"It is rare that you have an athlete so overwhelmingly dominant in your program who not only makes an impact their first season but repeats that performance year after year," Commons-DiSalle said.
Balcerak's name appears in the record book a staggering 31 times and currently holds six school records. A two-time AAC Swimmer of the Year honoree, he has earned 27 conference championship medals, only not medaling in one race over his four-year career. He ended his career earning 11 AAC championship gold medals and leaves Cincinnati as one of the most decorated swimmers in UC history.
Bearcat Award
The Bearcat Award is presented to the athlete who is a positive role model to the team in all respects, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, character, leadership and is committed and dedicated to the team's development over the season. Lastly, goes above and beyond to reinforce our "ONETEAM" motto and family culture.
This year's Bearcat Award winners were junior Logan Lawhorn and senior Kevin Leibold
"Lawhorn has gone above and beyond for this team," Commons-DiSalle said. "She is extremely selfless and puts the team's needs ahead of her own because she truly cares about each of her teammates. She is not afraid to address the team's concerns or needs and help find solutions. On top of that, she is extremely dedicated to the sport. She puts her best effort in on a daily basis, is passionate about what she is doing and keeps finding ways to improve while encouraging others around her. She is dedicated to the Bearcats and has certainly made an impact on the future of the program."
"Leibold stepped up this season in a big way for the men's team," Commons-DiSalle added. "His sense of responsibility to the team this year made him a very dedicated & effective captain. His maturity level developed in him over the course of his time at UC. That paid off for him in his final year as well as finding success and recording personal best times in the pool this season."
Breakthrough Season
This award is typically given to a sophomore, junior or senior who has shown the most dramatic improvement over the duration of the season while demonstrating leadership, team spirit and embracing the "ONE TEAM" motto.
This year's Breakthrough Season Award winners were sophomores Maddy Hensler and Collin Singler.
"Hensler had quite the year," Commons-DiSalle said. "We have watched her grow a lot personally this year, which I believe really helped develop her confidence throughout the season. She really embraced training in a different way this year, dedicated to improving her stroke and seeing the results come along throughout the year. While she may have been hesitant at times, she trusted the process and believed in herself and posted all best times at our conference meet and establishing herself as one of our dominant distance swimmers."
"Singler was extremely focused on putting a great season together this year," Commons-DiSalle added. "Every time a little adversity hits him, he uses that as fuel to be better. He is dedicated to doing the little things right and determined to make improvements wherever he can. This all came together, and he was able to perform throughout the season consistently. He went into the conference championships with that same determination and not only posted personal best times in his events but found his way to the podium on his final swim."
Performance of the Year
The Performance of the Year Award honors a team member who, through hard work and dedication, achieved a performance throughout the season that was exceptional. This performance put them in an elite standing within the conference and national level.
This year's Performance of the Year Award winners was freshman Lily Jones performance in the 200-yard backstroke and junior Drew Hawthorne's performance in the 50-yard freestyle.
On the final day of the AAC Championships, Jones put on a spectacular performance winning the women's 200-yard backstroke with a program-record time of 1:56.55.
"Watching her continue to set and break goals throughout the season was exciting to witness," Commons-DiSalle said. "Watching her put together a championship performance, personal best, and school record all on the last day of the meet was even more exciting."
Hawthorne's award-winning performance took place at the AAC Championships as well. He swam the second-fastest 50-yard freestyle in school history with a time of 19.82 seconds, earning him a silver medal at the championships.
"While the swim wasn't unexpected, he put the work in consistently throughout the year, it was exciting nonetheless to witness a 19-second 50-yard freestyle that was the second fastest 50 in UC history," Commons-DiSalle added.
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year Award is given to a first-year team member who consistently performs at a high level, consistently shows a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach and is the most valuable rookie in contributing overall points.
This season's Rookie of the Year Award winners are freshmen classmates Grace Gavin and Brogan Robinson.
Gavin posted four lifetime-best throughout the season and broke in the UC all-time top 10 list eight times. She also broke three UC records in the 50-yard backstroke (25.61), 200-yard individual medley (1:59.34), and 200-yard medley relay (1:39.59). The Saint Johns, Fla., native was the highest freshman individual point scorer at this year's AAC Championships and walked away with two medals.
"Gavin made an immediate impact on our program this season," Commons-DiSalle said. "She came in this season, was able to adjust relatively easily and got to work, focused on putting together a great season ahead of her."
Robinson earned the award after an impressive AAC Championship meet. He broke into program's all-time top-10 ranks in six different events, including posting the fourth-fastest 100-yard individual medley.
"A stellar freshman year for Robinson led him to be our male Rookie of the Year, Commons-DiSalle added. "As a freshman, he consistently performed throughout the season. He has grown tremendously as an athlete, I have no doubt he will continue the path that he is on, which will lead to even greater success down the road."
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
To stay up to date with the latest swimming and diving news, photos and videos, follow the teams on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@GoBearcatsSwim).