The Lake Forest College swimming and diving team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 2 in the Glen Rowan House. After introductory remarks by Head Coach Vadim Tashlitsky, the team enjoyed lunch together. Following the meal, Coaches Tashlitsky and Finn presented the team awards.
One of the first presented was the Most Valuable Performer. The awards were voted for by the team, and senior Helena Blumenau and sophomore Ben Jacob were selected for the honor. Blumenau set the school record for the 200-Backstroke and contributed to the school record-breaking 800-Freestyle and 400-Medley Relays during the Conference Championship. She placed first in the 200-backstroke and was runner-up in the 500-Freestyle and 1650-Free. Jacob was top scorer at Conference for the men's team, earning 47 individual points. He was runner-up in the 500-Free and was fourth in the 200-Free and 200-Butterfly.
The Most Improved Performers for the team this year were freshmen Valeria Welk and junior Luke Bedalov. This distinction was also an award that the team voted on. Welk improved on her times in her primary events, including the 50, 100-, and 200-Free; she also contributed to the school record-breaking 800-Free and 400-Medley Relays. Bedalov improved significantly in his main events as well. He broke the 1:00 barrier in the 100-Breaststroke for the first time and posted best times in his 200-IM and 200-Breaststroke.
The team also votes for who should receive the Forester Award. This award is presented to a male and female athlete who best exemplifies what it means to be a Forester swimmer or diver. Whoever earns this award actively embodies the core values of the swimming and diving program; they are reliable teammates, confident leaders, and respectful competitors. The eighth annual Forester Award was given to senior Ashlyn Pope and junior Luke Bedalov.
Finally, freshmen Amelie Andres and Alexander Wilson were announced as Rookies of the Year. Andres won the 100-Breaststroke in school record-breaking fashion at the Midwest Conference Championship. She also contributed the record-breaking 400-Medley Relay and won the 200-Breaststroke. She placed fourth overall in the 500-Free. Overall, Andres scored significant points for the Foresters at the Conference Championship. Wilson was the top first-year scorer for the men's team. He finished fourth in the 50- and 100-Free and eighth in the 200-Free, all with notable personal best times.
After the coaches finished handing out the team awards, the seniors stood and gave brief but heartfelt speeches about their time on the team; they shared comedic anecdotes and gave advice to the lowerclassmen about how to make the most of their remaining years as Foresters.
The captains then presented some of their own awards to each of their teammates. Team jokes, nicknames, and funny memories from the season were embodied in the awards. This has become an annual tradition and a fun, light-hearted way to end the ceremony. The whole banquet was a great way for the team to be together one last time before the end of the academic year and was a way to put an exclamation point on the end of another successful season.
Summary of Awards
MVP: Helena Blumenau; Ben Jacob
MIP: Valeria Welk; Luke Bedalov
Forester Award: Ashlyn Pope; Luke Bedalov
Team Captains: Violet Anderson, Ashlyn Pope, Justin Fugiel, and Sebastian Wagoner