BY CSTV.com

The University of Missouri women's swimming and diving team held its annual banquet this past weekend, during which time the team's season awards were presented. At the close of the ceremony all but one of the awards had been issued to returning members of the team, a promising sign for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

The Most Valuable Player Award was presented to sophomore Colleen Gordon, who was dominant over the course of the season in both the mid-free and distance free categories. The versatile Texan's talents were really put on display at March's Big 12 Championships, where she tied a school record in taking fourth in the 200 free and raced to a pair of other championship finals berths in the 500 and 1650 free. Gordon was also a member of the runner-up 800 free relay squad that crushed the school mark by more than 11 seconds at conference.

The team's Most Improved Award went to freshman Lauren Lavigna, whose strong efforts throughout 2007-08 culminated with an impressive fourth-place showing in the 200 back at Big 12s. The Canadian currently ranks third in school history in the event and stands in the all-time top-10 in the 100 portion of the race as well.

Classmate Francie Szostak was named the team's Newcomer of the Year as a result of her ability to quickly step in and fill roles in both individual and relay events this season. In addition to ranking among the top five in school history in the 100, 200 and 500 free, the Northbrook, Illinois, native was also a part of the Tiger quartet that laid claim to the 800 free relay record at the conference meet.

Diver of the Year and Top NCAA Performer honors were presented to Canadian sensation Kendra Melnychuk for her stellar season in the diving well in 2007-08. Melnychuk became just the second Tiger All-America diver, and the first in more than 25 years, after finishing 10th on platform and 11th on 3-meter at the NCAA Championships. During the team's trip to Austin for the Big 12 Championships, she also became the first conference diving champ in school history after claiming gold on tower.

The Top Big 12 Performer Award went to senior co-captain Arica Jacinto. In her final conference meet as a Tiger, the Phoenix, Ariz. native clocked a personal best and the second fastest mark in school history to take sixth in the 100 fly.

Freshman Melissa Jamerson was honored with the Bell Memorial Award for her commitment and determination throughout the season. After a slow start to 2007-08 the Jacksonville, Fla., native picked things up down the stretch, capping her efforts with a school record-setting performance in the 200 fly at conference.

For her constant efforts in leading the team to what would be one of its most storied seasons in school history, the coaching staff honored junior co-captain Lori Halvorson with the Captain Appreciation Award.

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