The Southeastern Conference announced the 2020 Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athletes of the Year in conjunction with the 2020 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships. Alabama senior Zane Waddell and Arkansas senior Anna Hopkin won the awards.
Zane Waddell
Photo Courtesy: Alabama Athletics
Zane Waddell of Alabama was chosen as the 2020 SEC Men’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Waddell is a senior from Bloemfontein, South Africa, working on a double major in management information systems and finance with a 3.763 grade point average. He is ranked first in the nation in the 50 backstroke with a 20.91, making him the only swimmer under 21 in the 50 back this season.
Waddell is first in the SEC and fifth in the nation in the 50 freestyle with a career-best 19.15. He is also second in the SEC and eighth nationally in the 100 backstroke (45.46) and third in the SEC and 16th nationally in the 100 freestyle (42.79).
Waddell is a three-time CSCAA First Team Scholar All-American. He is the 2019 NCAA Champion in the 200 medley relay, the 2019 World Champion in 50m back and the 2019 World University Games Champion in the 50m back. Waddell is the WUG Record Holder in the 50m back. A 15-time All-American, he is the SEC record holder in the 200 medley relay (1:22.19) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:15.43).
Zane Waddell was 2019 SEC champion in the 100 back, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. In 2018, he was the SEC Champion in the 200 free relay. Waddell has been named to the Dean’s List (3.5 or better GPA) and the President’s List (4.0 GPA) throughout his academic career.
Anna Hopkin
Photo Courtesy: Arkansas Athletics
Anna Hopkin of Arkansas was selected as the 2020 Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Hopkin is a senior from Preston, England, pursuing a graduate degree in kinesiology with a 4.0 grade point average. She has registered more than 10 NCAA A-cut times during her collegiate career. In the national rankings, Hopkin is tied for second in the 50 free (21.19) and ranked third in the 100 free (46.56) and eighth in the 200 free (1:44.40).
She placed seventh at the 2019 World Championships in the 50 free. Hopkin is a 2019 NCAA/CSCAA All Academic Scholar Athlete and a 2019 NCAA All American (50 and 100 free). She was named to the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s List (4.0 GPA) all three times. She placed seventh at last summer’s World Championships in the 50m free.
Anna Hopkin has broken four individual school records – 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 100 fly – a total of 15 times in just 17 months. She is the current NCAA Runner-Up in the 100 free. Hopkin has been part of three school-record relays – 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 200 medley relay – which have been broken a total of seven times. She is a team captain and has participated in every community service team project.
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