SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Farida Maher and Sophie Leo claimed NSIC Swimmer and Freshman of the Year following the final day of competition at the 2023-24 NSIC Swimming and Diving Championship on Saturday. 

"What an outstanding four days for the Golden Bears," commented Head Coach Rachel Busch. " To go from eighth in 2023 to fifth this year is incredible growth. The coaching staff is very proud of all of the women for their hard work, resilience and trust in the process." 

The Golden Bears will return to action next month for the NCAA Division II Championships that will be held on Mar. 13-16 at the SPIRE Aquatics Center in Geneva, Ohio. 
 
MAHER AND LEO NAMED NSIC SWIMMER AND FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
The NSIC announced the conference awards following the conclusion of the final session, and CSP's Farida Maher was named NSIC Swimmer of the Year and Sophie Leo was named NSIC Freshman of the Year. Both of these awards are voted on by each coaching staff across the entire NSIC.
 
Maher became the first swimmer in school history to earn this honor. The junior collected a pair of conference championships in the 200 and 1000 freestyles, along with a pair of second-place NSIC All-Conference finishes in the 500 and 1650 freestyles. Four of her five swimmer throughout the week were NCAA B-Cut times, including her 100 freestyle exhibition swim. She made NSIC history on Thursday night after setting a new NSIC conference record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49.71.
 
Leo became the second CSP swimming and diving program member to be named NSIC Freshman of the Year. The Blaine, Minnesota native had a stellar performance at the meet, collecting an NSIC All-Conference finish in the 50 freestyle with an NCAA B-cut and school record finish. In addition, she reached the podium with a fourth-place finish after breaking the school record in the 100 backstroke.
 
2023-24 NSIC Swimming and Diving Award Recipients
Freshman of the Year: Sophie Leo, Concordia-St. Paul
Diver of the Year: Avery Lommell, Augustana
Swimmer of the Year: Farida Maher, Concordia-St. Paul and Bryn Greenwalt, Augustana
Diving Coach of the Year: Shelby Bartlett, Augustana
Swimming Coach of the Year: Nathan Owens, Minnesota State
 
DAY FOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS
The Golden Bears collected their best finish in program history at the NSIC Championships after claiming fifth place in the team standings with 378 points. CSP made tremendous strides to improve off their best finish of last season, which saw them finish eighth with 131 points. CSP will say goodbye to their first-ever senior Laura Vekony, who made a significant impact on the program through her career at Concordia but will return 14 athletes on their roster next season, seven being true freshmen this season.
 
The Augustana (S.D.) Vikings won their second straight conference championships in dominant fashion with 948.5 points. Rounding out the top four were Minnesota State (865.5), St. Cloud State (646) and Sioux Falls (607).
 
Maher finished her historic NSIC tournament on a high note on Saturday night. The Cairo, Egypt native collected a second-place finish in the 1650 freestyle to earn her fourth meet and 10th career NSIC All-Conference selection. Also, Maher collected the fastest swim in the 100 freestyle prelims with an NSIC B-Cut and school record time of 51.15. However, due to reaching the maximum scoring limit of four events, she was not eligible to score in the finals. Her B-cut time will still be eligible for NCAA qualifying despite not making the finals. To stay up to date with NCAA Division II Championship qualifying marks, visit cspbears.com.
 
Caitlyn Greenwalt continued her success from the diving board on the final day of competition for the Navy and Gold. The sophomore compiled an NCAA qualifying score of 399.10, which was good enough to earn her NSIC All-Conference honors with a second-place finish. The Cottage Grove, Minnesota native has already punched her ticket to the national championship meet next month in both the 3-meter dive and 1-meter dives.
 
Veteran swimmers Chloe Rihon and Charly Horn showed up to the pool on a mission for the final day of action in South Dakota. Each swimmer collected their best career finishes after making the A-finals. Rihon established a new school record in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:05. 77 to finish sixth overall in the event. For Horn, she gathered a new school record in the 200 breaststroke prelims with a time of 2:25.44 before finishing seventh in the finals.
 
Breaking school records in relay action had become a trend throughout the meet. In the final race of the night, the team of Maher, Emma Granovsky, Rebecca Hildebrand and Leo established a new school record in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:32.78. The team of Horn Giulia Cury, Marianna Perna and Sierra Sherry collected a pair of points in the race with an 18th-place finish. TEAM STANDINGS
1. Augustana - 948.5
2. Minnesota State - 865.5
3. St Cloud State - 646 
4. Sioux Falls - 607
5. Concordia-St. Paul - 378  
6. UMary - 301
7. Southwest Minnesota State - 275  
8. Northern State - 268
9. MSU Moorhead - 214                                          RELAY RESULTS
7th: 400 Freestyle Relay (A), 3:32.78 (Farida Maher, Emma Granovsky, Rebecca Hildebrand, Sophie Leo) - 28 Points (School Record)
 
18th: 400 Freestyle Relay (B), 3:47.04 (Charly Horn, Giulia Cury, Marianna Perna, Sierra Sherry) - 2 Points  INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
 *Point Scorers
 
Caitlyn Greenwalt - 17 Points
2nd: 1-Meter Dive, 399.10 (All-Conference, NCAA Qualifying Score, School Record)
 
Charly Horn - 12 Points
5th: 200 Breaststroke (Prelims), 2:25. 44 (School Record)
7th: 200 Breaststroke, 2:26.64
 
Sophie Leo - 7 Points
10th: 100 Freestyle, 52.43
 
Farida Maher - 17 Points
2nd: 1650 Freestyle, 17.27.75
 
Marianna Perna - 1 Point
16th: 1650 Freestyle, 18:38.50
 
Chloe Rihon - 13 Points
6th: 200 Backstroke, 2:05.75 (School Record)
 
Laura Vekony - 3 Points
14th: 1650 Freestyle, 18.22.85