May 17, 2001
Evanston, Ill. - The 2000-01 Northwestern swimming squad held their annual team banquet this week at which head coach Jimmy Tierney presented the end of the year awards.
With a career performance at the Big Ten Championships, sophomore Rachel Johnson (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) was named Most Valuable. Johnson finished second at Big Ten's in the 200 butterfly with a personal best 2:00.27. She also placed third in the 200 IM and fifth in the 400 IM. For her efforts she was named to the All-Big Ten team. She also earned NCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors as a member of the 800 free relay team.
For the second year in a row, sophomore Megan Keefe (Blowing Rock, N.C./Watauga) was named Most Improved. Keefe held the Wildcats third best time for the season in the 50 free with a 23.78 at the Big Ten Championships. She also set new personal best times in the 100 free (52.24) and 100 breast (1:07.84).
Junior Lauren Moore (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) was given the Kathie Wickstrand Spirit Award. Wickstrand was a former head coach who was known for her "Purple Pride" on the swim deck. This award is given annually to the swimmer who exemplifies school spirit and is a team leader. Moore was given this award for her outgoing personality and her leadership throughout the season.