LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock swimming and swimming continued to grow and flourish this season with a 6-2 record in dual meets — the best record in program history. On top of that, the Trojans broke 20 school records to improve on the previous season's total of 14.
"This is a direct representation of the hard work that was put in in and out of the water this year," head coach
Amy Burgess said. "Stepping up the level of training and having a group that rose to the challenge made all the difference."
Little Rock had 27 members on its roster for the 2016-17 season — the most in program history.
"With such a large roster, we were able to increase the depth we needed to better compete in dual meets and score points as well as generate more competition on a daily basis in practice. The freshmen came in ready to work and helped pushed the veterans and each other. I learned there are a few different dynamics managing a roster of 27 versus 18, but also that is it even more exciting to coach. Every year I get to learn more about my student-athletes and who they are outside of the pool and classroom."
Five Trojans took home All-MVC honors as
Tori Fryar was named a First Team performer while
Samantha Gray,
Courtney Coe,
Laura Ruiz Astorga and
Emma Doll were named Honorable Mentions. Gray was named the Missouri Valley Conference's Diver of the Week on three separate occasions during the season — bringing her career total to six weekly awards. Freshman
Isabelle Finzen became the third freshman in program history to earn a Swimmer of the Week award after winning two events in her first-ever home meet.
On the academic side, Little Rock was awarded Scholar All-America honors by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America for the seventh consecutive semester. The Trojans ended the fall semester with a 3.52 grade point average — 28th out of 165 Division I teams honored and third-best in the Missouri Valley Conference. Eleven Trojans earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete Team. Earning honors were Ruiz Astorga,
KateLin Carsrud, Coe, Doll,
Vasiliki Falaina, Fryar, Gray,
Kayla Grimm,
Ann Kharlamova,
Nuria Gallego Murcia and
Charis Won. For the 2015-16 season, the Trojans had six named to the team.
"This season helped build a lot of confidence and brought a whole new level of training to our program," Burgess said. "We are losing some key players in our seniors, but they left a mark that will never be forgotten. We look forward to seeing their inspirations continue to grow and develop with this team."
The Trojans' vast improvements across the program have been two years in the making as the team received a gift of $250,000 before the 2015-16 season. In that time, the team has put the money to good use through scholarship and operational support for the program.
"Gaining more support from the university, alumni and the Little Rock swimming community has made the biggest impact," Burgess said. "Being able to carry a larger team would not be possible without our generous donors and supporters. We have an amazing group of student-athletes, and their continued growth and success is going to take this program to new heights."
