Tour Earns MVP Honor

April 18, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving team celebrated the end of the season at the team’s awards banquet Saturday April 16. Swimmers, divers, alumni, parents and supporters recognized the 2010-11 team at the Coralville Marriot.

Senior Katarina Tour was named Most Valuable Player of the women’s team for the second straight season. The four-year letterwinner holds the school record in the 100 breast (1:01.45), 100 fly (54.61) and 200 IM (2:01.33). She earned collegiate best times in the 100 free (50.79) at the 2011 Big Ten Championships and 100 back (57.56) against Truman State.

Senior Deidre Freeman and junior Veronica Rydze shared the Nancilea Underwood Women’s Diving MVP. Freeman set school records in the one (338.55) and three-meter (407.40) springboards at the 2011 Big Ten Championships. She also competed on the one and three-meter boards at the 2011 NCAA Championships, where she earned All-America honors in both events.

Rydze, a four-year letterwinner, earned collegiate best scores in the one (296.35) and three-meter (358.45) springboards at the 2011 Big Ten Championships. She then earned All-America honors courtesy of her 13th place finish in the one-meter at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Caitie Polz was honored with the Alison Pennington/Strength of Character Award, which is presented to the women’s team member who exemplifies the qualities of integrity, authenticity, dedication, work ethic, perseverance, loyalty, encouragement and leadership. She recorded collegiate best times in the 50 free (23.73) and 200 free (1:53.51) at the 2011 Big Ten Championships.

Sophomore April Allen received the women’s Strength and Condition Award. She posted collegiate best times in the 100 breast (1:06.44) and 100 fly (58.56) at the Hawkeye Invitational.

2010-11 Women’s Swimming and Diving Awards
Women’s Swimming Team MVP: Katarina Tour
Nancilea Underwood Women’s Diving MVP: Deidre Freeman and Veronica Rydze
Alison Pennington Haddon Strength of Character Award: Caitie Polz
Strength and Conditioning Award: April Allen