The Big Ten announced the 2018 Big Ten Women’s Swimmer, Diver, Swimming Coach and Diving Coach of the Year awards, as voted on by the conference coaches. Indiana’s Lilly King was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, while Northwestern’s Olivia Rosendahl was selected as Big Ten Diver of the Year. The Wildcats’ Akil Sarkisian earned Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year, while Michigan’s Mike Bottom secured Big Ten Swimming Coach of the Year plaudits.
King took the NCAA gold in the 100-yard breaststroke, winning her third straight NCAA title in the event with a time of 56.25, the fastest time in history. King’s mark set American, NCAA, NCAA Meet, Big Ten, school and pool records. King also successfully defended her title in the 200-yard breaststroke, winning the NCAA championship with the best time in history – 2:02.60. King is the first woman to break the 2:03:00 barrier, setting the American, NCAA, NCAA Meet, U.S. Open, Big Ten, IU school and pool records with her performance. King has now won both breaststroke titles the last three seasons. King matches Rebecca Soni of USC and Kristy Kowal of Georgia with six total breaststroke titles. Her six NCAA titles are the most for any woman in Big Ten history. King has now amassed 12 All-America honors. King’s honor marks the ninth time an Indiana swimmer has earned Swimmer of the Year accolades.
Rosendahl earns Big Ten Diver of the Year after winning her second consecutive NCAA national title in the platform diving event with a score of 346.15. The junior also earned first team All-America honors in the 1-meter event and Honorable Mention All-America honors in the 3-meter event. Rosendahl was named Co-Diver of the Championships after winning the 3-meter event with a school-record final score of 389.95. She also claimed first-team All-Big Ten honors. Rosendahl is the program’s first-ever Big Ten Diver of the Year and the first Wildcat to earn a postseason accolade since Kim Paton was named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Year in 1994.
Sarkisian claimed Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year honors for the first time. His guidance helped Rosendahl earn six All-America honors during her career, including three this season, while becoming the first diving national champion in program history.
Bottom collects Big Ten Swimming Coach of the Year accolades for the first time in his tenure as Michigan’s women’s coach, while also earning it five times for men’s swimming. He led the Wolverines to a first-place finish at the Big Ten Championships for the third year in a row and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
Press release courtesy of the Big Ten.