University of Denver student-athletes Kyle Milberg and Samantha Corea became the first NCAA Division I swimmers to be named Swimmers of the Year in three different conferences after picking up their third straight conference honors at The Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships on Feb. 22.
“Both of these athletes have competed at three different Division I conferences in their careers here at DU, and they have both responded so competitively,” head swimming coach Brian Schrader said. “Not only do they excel in prelims and finals for individual events, but they also add four relays to the mix. It really does take a great deal of focus and toughness, and they both do a great job of getting prepared. Interestingly enough, they are both undefeated in the 200 back over their careers at the conference level. They both seem to thrive on breaking records and finding a way to get faster. It would be hard to ask more of either of them, although both I think would respond to the challenge.”
At the Summit League Championships Feb. 19–22, Corea posted three individual event wins and was a part of five top relay times, while Milberg claimed three individual event wins and was a member of three No. 1 relay teams.
In spring 2013, Milberg received first team awards for his performances in the 100 butterfly, the 100 backstroke and the 200 backstroke, and he was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Swimmer of the Year after the conference championships. As a swimmer in the Western Athletic Conference last season, Corea received the Swimmer of the Year award after setting conference records in the 100 backstroke and the 200 backstroke.
During the 2011–12 season, Milberg and Corea helped the Pioneers to Sun Belt Conference titles. Corea posted top times in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the conference championships, while Milberg took first in the 100 and 200 backstroke. These strong performances led to both garnering Swimmer of the Year Awards.
The 2013–14 Women’s Swimming and Diving NCAA Championships will be held in Minneapolis March 20–22, and the Men’s Swimming and Diving NCAA Championships take place March 27–29 in Austin, Texas.