Akerfelds

Magnuson

Kredich

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The Tennessee Lady Vols left their mark on the 2008 SEC swimming and diving championships by claiming three of the league's top awards.

Captain Christine Magnuson, who set an SEC record in one of her three individual victories and swam on one winning and two runner-up relays at the University of Alabama this past weekend, was named SEC Female Swimmer of the Year, the league office announed Monday.

And that's not all. She won the Commissioner's Trophy for scoring the most points for her team.

Matt Kredich, in his second season as coach of the Lady Vols, tied with Florida's Gregg Tory as SEC Women's coach of the year for his team's vast improvement.

UT's Aleksa Akersfeld was chosen Female Freshman Swimmer of the Year because of her runner-up finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle and third-place finishes in the 500 freestyle and 400 individual medley.

Magnuson set an SEC record in the 100 butterfly of 51.00 and in the 200 freestyle when she led off the 800 relay with a time of 1:43.00. She also claimed titles in the 50- and 100-free events, in addition to helping the Lady Vols capture the 200 free relay title.

Magnuson is the first Lady Vol to earn Swimmer of the Year.

"I've never had a swimmer with the kind of performances Christine had at this meet," Kredich said. "Her 200 lead-off leg in the 800 relay is the fastest ever swum (by a UT woman) and her 100 butterfly time is the fourth-fastest ever."

Like Magnuson, Auburn's Cesar Cielo broke two SEC records - winning the 50 freestyle in an amazing 18.91 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 41.78. He also swam on four winning relays for the Tigers, who won their 12th consecutive men's title and 14th in 15 years.

Auburn's Richard Quick was named Male Swim Coach of the Year.

Eleven women's records fell and seven men's.

Women's Golf: With one round left in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, P.R., the 12th-ranked Lady Vols are tied for ninth with a team score of 599. Kent State (586) leads.

UT is led bye Angela Oh, who had two rounds of 2-over-par 74 to tie for 13th.

"We are a little rusty after a long off-season and it is showing up in the details," UT coach Judi Pavon said. "We are playing against quite a few teams that have already competed, so that makes a difference. We are not playing as poorly as our place suggests so I feel good about our chances to have a good round tomorrow."

UT'S Nicole Smith shot 72 after a round of 78 and moved from 62nd to 25th place.

Sophomore Diana Cantu fell from 11th to 19th after shooting 76. Marci Turner shot 78 after an opening 74 for 152 (41st).