WLU's Strachan, Hayden, Roberson, Miata Take Home Honors

SALEM, Va. --- Washington and Lee University continued its swimming success after winning the ODAC/Atlantic States Swimming Championships in February by earning nine spots on the All-ODAC award lists.  Four Generals received major honors including junior Lindsey Strachan as the 2008 ODAC Swimmer of the Year.  Tess Hayden was named the Rookie of the Year, and senior Amy Roberson took home her second straight ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor.  Julianne Miata earned the Bonnie Kestner Sportsmanship Award.

The remaining honor went to Sweet Briar College's Alex Kuhn as he was tabbed the ODAC Coach of the Year.  The Vixens, who finished third in this season's championships, placed two swimmers on the all-conference squad in sophomore Hannah Hesser and freshman Melissa Simpson.

Randolph-Macon College, the 2007 ODAC champion, placed six swimmers on the all-conference team to complete the list's 17 student-athlete count.

Strachan came into the 2008 championship meet with seasonal top times in each of the backstroke events.  Her early season work didn't falter as she won 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke swims, posting times of 1:00.05 and 2:08.90, respectively.  She also was a member of two winning relay squads.  She teamed with fellow All-ODAC members Jenna Worsham, Hayden and Roberson to win the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:52.42.  On the first day of competition, Strachan joined Roberson, Sarah Simpson and Susan Mahoney, also both All-ODAC recipients, to win the 400-yard medley relay in 4:06.38.

Hayden was also a multi-event winner, taking top honors in the 200-yard and 1650-yard freestyle events with times of 1:59.42 and 18:21.56.  Hayden teamed with Worsham, Sarah Simpson and fellow freshman All-ODAC swimmer, Jackie Smith, to win the 800-yard free relay in a time of 8:09.96.  She was also a member of the winning 200-yard free relay, posting a new school-record time of 1:41.58 with Sarah Simpson, Roberson and Worsham.

Roberson won her second scholar-athlete award on the coattails of strength both in the classroom and in the pool.  She boasts a 3.905 grade point average while double-majoring in psychology and sociology.  She is now a four-time All-ODAC honoree and is a member of four school-record holding relay teams.  At this season's championships, she was a member of the previously mentioned winning relays while also posting an individual victory in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.04.

The Bonnie Kestner Sportsmanship Award is named in honor of the former long-time Sweet Briar College mentor.  During her tenure, Kestner exhibited the ideals that best represent the notion and strong values of good sportsmanship that are inherent in NCAA Division III athletics.  Washington and Lee's Miata is the third recipient of the award.

Listed below is the entire 2007-08 All-ODAC Swimming Team.  For more information, visit the ODAC-member websites or the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

2007-08 All-ODAC Swimming Team
Meredith Bagenstose, Randolph-Macon
Shafer Busch, Randolph-Macon
Corrine Campbell, Randolph-Macon
Marlene Graff, Randolph-Macon
Tess Hayden, Washington and Lee
Hannah Hesser, Sweet Briar
Susan Mahoney, Washington and Lee
Maureen McLaughlin, Randolph-Macon
Julianne Miata, Washington and Lee
Amy Roberson, Washington and Lee
Jessica Shaw, Washington and Lee
Melissa Simpson, Sweet Briar
Sarah Simpson, Washington and Lee
Jackie Smith, Washington and Lee
Randi Smith, Randolph-Macon
Lindsey Strachan, Washington and Lee
Jenna Worsham, Washington and Lee

Swimmer of the Year: Lindsey Strachan, Washington and Lee
Coach of the Year: Alex Kuhn, Sweet Briar
Rookie of the Year: Tess Hayden, Washington and Lee
ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Amy Roberson, Washington and Lee
Bonnie Kestner Sportsmanship Award: Julianne Miata, Washington and Lee