NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It was another highly successful season for the Yale men's and women's swimming and diving teams. The men finished third at the Ivy League Championship, an improvement of three places over last year, and had three qualifiers for the NCAA Championship. The women captured the Ivy League dual meet title after an undefeated regular season, including a victory at the HYP meet, and had diver Paige Lai qualify for the NCAA Championship.
 
The teams recently gathered for a postseason banquet to celebrate those accomplishments and announce the team awards.
 
The winners were:
 
Jecko IM Award: Olivia Paoletti, Ava Franks, Alexander Hazlett            
Trophy is given annually for outstanding performances in Individual Medley. Tim Jecko was a member of the 1956 United States Olympic Team. He won many National championships and held many records at Yale in the free, fly, and IM. The award was established in 2004 by Tim's Class if 1959. 
 
Davies Breast Award: Jessey Li & Alex Deng     
This prize was donated by the family of Melindi Davies, Class of 1998. It is awarded each year for outstanding performance in breaststroke swimming. 
             
Mather Backstroke: Lindsey Wagner & Greg Kalin
S. LIVINGSTON MATHER (1950). S. Livingston Mather, B.A. 1905. For outstanding performance in backstroke swimming.
 
Heaton High Point:  Alex Massey & Noah Millard         
JOHN EDWARD HEATON HIGH POINT AWARD (1924). John Edward Heaton, a former resident of New Haven. Awarded to that swimmer or diver who has scored the highest possible number of points for the team in dual meet competition for the past season. (Given to one man and one woman).
 
Jeliffe Improved Senior: Raime Jones & Evan Schott
WILLIAM LEEMING JELLIFFE MEMORIAL (1925). Dr. and Mrs. Smith Ely Jelliffe in memory of their son, William L. Jelliffe, Ph.B. 1923. Awarded annually to two seniors, a man and a woman, who have shown the greatest progress and development in swimming ability and outstanding leadership during college years.
 
MacLeish Sportsmanship & Loyalty: Alex Massey & Jami Rzepecki
MacLeish Memorial Swimming Trophy was dedicated in 1936 by Halstead B. VanderPoel. MacLeish was a member of the Class of 1918, he had left school in 1917 to fight in WWI. He was one of the original 28 volunteers to serve in the first Yale Unit of the Navy. This award is given to two team members, one male and one female. Through their efforts, high ideals in sportsmanship, and loyalty to Yale, they best exemplify the spirit of Kenneth MacLeish.
 
Burke Underclassperson MVP: Paige Lai & Noah Millard
HARRY BURKE AWARD (1966). Established by the Yale Swimming & Diving Association to honor Yale's retired freshman coach. Awarded for outstanding contribution to Yale swimming by an underclassman. 
 
Yale Diving Award: Paige Lai & Jean Paul Ditto
For outstanding performance and spirit in diving.
 
ELEANOR "BOBBY" DAWSON AWARD: Olivia Paoletti
Bobby Dawson was a national figure in swimming circles and a Yale Swimming associate from 1948 until 1978. She was an elected official for the Olympic Games in Rome, Tokyo, Mexico City, and Munich. This award is given to member of the women's team who has contributed immeasurably to Yale swimming & diving by her dedication and personal achievements.
 
PHILIP MORIARTY AWARD: Joseph Page
(1969) Established by the Yale Swimming & Diving Association in honor of Yale coach & US Olympic Coach Philip Moriarty. Awarded annually to that senior member of the team who has contributed immeasurably to the Yale swimming tradition by his dedication and personal achievement.