Maggie MacNeil, Bill Dorenkott Take Big Ten Women’s Swimmer & Coach of the Year Awards

Photo Courtesy: Walt Middleton Photography 2019

Maggie MacNeil & Bill Dorenkott highlight end of the year Big Ten women’s swimming and diving awards.

The Big Ten Conference announced the 2020 Big Ten Women’s Swimmer, Diver, Swimming Coach and Diving Coach of the Year awards, as voted on by the conference coaches. Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil earned Swimmer of the Year, Ohio State’s Bill Dorenkott was honored as Swimming Coach of the Year, and Purdue’s Emily Bretscher and Adam Soldati were awarded Diver of the Year and Diving Coach of the Year, respectively.

Maggie MacNeil; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Maggie MacNeil earned Swimmer of the Year accolades after being named Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships in March. During the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships, MacNeil earned gold in the 50-yard freestyle (21.30), 100-yard freestyle (46.57), 100-yard butterfly (49.42), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:11.94), 200-yard medley relay (1:34.21) and 400-yard medley relay (3:27.68). The 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year also received an invitation to the NCAA Championship in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly, while earning College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-America honors in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay.

Emily Bretscher. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Emily Bretscher was voted Diver of the Year, while also garnering All-America plaudits in the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform. In March, the junior was named Big Ten Diver of the Championships after winning the 3-meter (356.75) and placing third on the 1-meter (303.35) at the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships. She also earned a bid for the NCAA Zone Championships in all three diving events.

Bill Dorenkott. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Bill Dorenkott earned Big Ten Swimming Coach of the Year after the Buckeyes captured the Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship in 2020, marking the program’s first title since 1986. Dorenkott collects his first Coach of the Year award with Ohio State, after previously winning the award with Penn State in 2005. At the 2020 Big Ten championships, Dorenkott helped Ohio State collect swimming gold medals in the 500-yard freestyle, 1,650 freestyle, 200-yard freestyle relay. Additionally, Dorenkott’s Buckeyes qualified 14 swimmers to the NCAA Championships and had 19 earn CSCAA All-America honors.

Adam Soldati. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Adam Soldati earned the Diving Coach of the Year award for the third time in his coaching career (2009 and 2014) after multiple Purdue divers scored points at the Big Ten Championships, including Bretscher who went on to be named Diver of the Championships. In 2020, Soldati coached four Boilermakers who were named CSCAA All-Americans and earned bids to the NCAA Zone Championships.

Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Individual Awards:

Swimmer of the Year

Maggie MacNeil, Michigan

Diver of the Year

Emily Bretscher, Purdue

Swimming Coach of the Year

Bill Dorenkott, Ohio State

Diving Coach of the Year

Adam Soldati, Purdue

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use