Providence College Athletics
Swimming and Diving Announce Team Awards
5/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
May 8, 2000
Providence, R.I.---On May 8, 2000, the Providence College men's and women's swimming and diving team announced their team award winners for the 1999-00 season.
Senior Andrea Liporace (Belle Meade, N.J.) received the Sears diving award, named for Patrick Sears '88 and Kevin Sears '93, honors the diver who makes an outstanding contribution to the sport of diving at Providence College. Liporace has been a mainstay for the Friars over the last three years. After walking on to the team her sophomore year, Andrea became an accomplished diver and improved constantly throughout her career.
Sophomore Lauren DeGray (Wethersfield, Conn.) was named by the coaches and her teammates, as the Most Improved Female Athlete. DeGray's emergence as one of the team's top distance freestyle threats was a big factor in the team's success this season. Lauren recorded a career best in both the 500 and 1000 freestyle events.
Sophomore Keith Chobot (Randolph, N.J.) was named the Most Improved Male Athlete. Chobot joined the program this year and helped the Friars by stepping into the breaststroke events, an area hit hard by graduation. His work ethic and steady improvement through the year helped the team with needed depth in the breaststroke.
Junior Lori Cosman (Newburgh, N.Y.) earned the Luciani Award, named for Cindi Luciani '91 this award honors the women's Most Valuable Athlete, as voted by team members and the coaching staff. Cosman became the school's first consecutive winner of the award, leading the team in points scored and playing a big factor in the team's effort at the BIG EAST Championship by anchoring all five relays.
Junior Mike Frenza (Watertown, Conn.) was awarded the Bowden Award, named after Horace Bowden '89, this award honors the men's Most Valuable Athlete, as voted by his teammates and coaches. Frenza led the Friars in scoring, as he competed in a variety of events, and excelled in the middle distance freestyle for the Friars. He also was a member of all five relays at the BIG EAST Championship.
Sophomore Allison Buckley (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Senior Greg Whitney (Lowell, Mass.) received the Hardy Award, named after David Hardy '89, this award recognizes the male and female athlete that show loyalty, dedication, good sportsmanship and outstanding effort both academically and athletically. Buckley was one of the team's top distance threats, also swam the 200 butterfly as well as the 200 backstroke. Whitney was a leader from the outset for the Friars, with a tenacious work ethic, and the desire and ability to swim any event for the squad.
