SAN DIEGO, April 7. COLUMBIA University's Cristina Teuscher, who won NCAA crown in the 400 meter freestyle (4:04.09) and 400m IM (4:33.81), with the second fastest times in the world this year, has been named the top collegiate woman swimmer for the 1999-2000 school year, according to the results of national balloting among NCAA-member schools.
As the Honda Award winner for swimming and diving, Teuscher, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y. was undefeated in nine dual meets this year. She was the Ivy League champion in the 200 and 400 IM, as well as the 100 free, and was named Outstanding Swimmer of the Ivy League Championships for the fourth consecutive year. She never lost an individual race during her four-year college career.
Teuscher was also an Ivy League All-Academic selection and maintains a 3.4 gpa as a psychology major. She earned an Olympic gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta in the 800 meter freestyle relay.
As a Honda Award winner, Teuscher is automatically nominated for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year honors covering all sports. The winner will be announced at the 24th annual Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year banquet, June 12, in Orlando Florida. No similar awards exist for male swimmers or male athletes in general.