Four Named to Swimming All-ODAC Teams; Smith Tabbed as Coach of the Year

FOREST, Va. – After arguably the best season in program history, the Bridgewater Eagles swim team had four swimmers named to the All-ODAC team on Friday while head coach Fran Smith earned ODAC Coach of the Year honors for the first time.

Smith enjoys her first top coaching honor in her sixth season guiding the Bridgewater swimmers.  The Eagles' third place finish and 412 team points mark Bridgewater's best finish in the conference championship meet since establishing the program in the 2007-08 season.  Bridgewater went 7-1 in dual meets this season, with its only loss coming to Washington and Lee.

Junior Carrie Crowther led the way for the Eagles on the all-conference teams with the program's lone second-team selection. Bridgewater had three swimmers earn third team honors, with sophomore Annalee Gallagher, senior Jennifer Lutz and senior Jeni Zeiler being tabbed to the third team.

Crowther's selection to the All-ODAC second team marks the second time in her three-year career that the Burgess, Va. native has earned second team honors after picking up the same recognition following the 2010-11 season. At the championship meet, Crowther took home a fourth place finish and a pair of fifth places during a stellar weekend. The junior earned second-team honors for her fourth place performance in the 200 yard freestyle event. Crowther also swam a leg on Bridgewater's 200 yard freestyle, 400 yard medley and 800 yard freestyle relays which each set school records.

Gallagher picked up third team honors to mark the first time in her career that she was named to the All-ODAC team. The Bristow, Va. native picked up third team honors off of a pair of sixth place finishes at the championship meet. Gallagher finished sixth in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle races and also aided the Eagles to record-setting efforts in the 200 yard freestyle, 200 yard medley and 400 yard freestyle relays.

Lutz's selection to the third team marks the first time in her career that she was named to the All-ODAC team. The senior earned third team honors after a fifth place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke. Lutz set a new school record in the event and also aided the Eagles to setting a school record in the 200 yard freestyle relay.

Finally, Zeiler wrapped up a strong career with the Eagles by earning third team All-ODAC honors. With her sixth place effort in the 100 yard breaststroke, Zeiler earned All-ODAC recognition for the first time in her career. Zeiler also aided the Eagles in setting school records in the 200 and 400 yard medley relays.

Bridgewater's third-place showing at the ODAC Championships in Greensboro wrapped up the 2013 season.

2012-13 ALL-ODAC SWIMMING TEAMS

ODAC Swimmer of the Year: Caroline Hamp, So., Washington and Lee
ODAC Coach of the Year: Fran Smith, Bridgewater
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Emma Swabb, Washington and Lee
ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Delaney Rolfe, Sr., Washington and Lee
Bonnie Kestner Sportsmanship Award: Michelle Douglas, Jr., Hollins