CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is honored to announce the 2020 SUNYAC men's swimming and diving annual awards. Each year the conference coaches vote on the SUNYAC Swimmer of the Year, Diver of the Year, and Rookie of the Year at the completion of the season.
Co-Swimmer of the Year - Mitchell Phelps, Geneseo
Mitchell Phelps (Owego, N.Y.) as a senior leader was a rock for the Knights throughout the 2019-20 season. He was the SUNYAC Swimmer of the Week two times during the season and dominated the pool during the SUNYAC championships. Phelps won the 100 butterfly and 200 backstroke as well as being on four SUNYAC champion relays. His relay times were 1:42.08 leading off in the 800 freestyle relay, 20.59 in the 200 freestyle relay, 49.5 butterfly split in the 400 medley relay and he anchored the winning 400 freestyle relay team. Phelps was one of the most versatile swimmers in the SUNYAC all season finishing in the top five in all his event, leading to Geneseo hoisting its 27th overall SUNYAC team trophy.
Co-Swimmer of the Year - Hunter Bernhardt, Cortland
In his second year with the Cortland Red Dragons, Hunter Bernhardt (Groton, N.Y.) made tremendous strides that resulted in becoming SUNYAC champion in the 500 freestyle and the 1650 freestyle and was sixth in the 200 freestyle. In season his 1000 time of 10:06 was the fastest in the conference, and it was an unrested time. His 4:53 in the 500 freestyle was the fifth fastest, and was also an unrested time. Bernhardt's dominance during the SUNYAC championships in Buffalo led to a second place team finish for the Red Dragons.
Diver of the Year - Corey Wirth, Geneseo
In his sophomore year, Corey Wirth (Lima, N.Y.) was dominant on the boards, winning both the 1 meter and 3 meter at the SUNYAC championships. He also won the 3 meter at the regional meet, qualifying for what would have been his second straight NCAA meet. Corey was a five time SUNYAC Diver of the Week this season and was also named Outstanding Diver of the Meet at SUNYAC championships.
Rookie of the Year - Kaleb Hotaling, Geneseo
As a freshman, Kaleb Hotaling (Clifton Park, N.Y.) took advantage of his opportunities and showed that he can compete at a high level. He won the 100 and 200 breaststroke events at the SUNYAC championships and was second in the 200 individual medley. Hotaling was named to the SUNYAC All-Conference first team.