Dave Boggs, girls and boys swimming coach at Seymour High School, annually presents the most valuable swimmer awards to the top point scorer on each of his teams.
He said the top two scorers on both the boys and girls teams this past season were so close that he elected to name co-most valuable swimmers.
Maren McClure and Sandy Cerino were co-recipients for the girls, while Bryce Miller and Pedro Cerino shared the honors for the boys.
All of them came up with special honors that included sectional titles, state qualifications, and school records.
McClure scored 197 points and Sandy Cerino finished the season with 190 points. Boggs said this is the third time McClure, a junior, has received that award.
McClure was sectional champion in the 100-yard butterfly to earn a trip to the state finals.
Cerino set the school record in the 50-yard freestyle at the sectional with a time of 25.05, and she teamed up with McClure, Samantha Jacobi and Katya Cox to set a new standard in the 400 free relay in 3:43.67.
Miller topped the boys in points with 223 with Pedro Cerino next at 219.
Miller was sectional champ in the 100 freestyle and also advanced to state in the 50 freestyle.
He teamed up with Cerino, Paul Montgomery and Clayton Greenawalt to win the 400 free relay at the sectional to also advance to the state meet at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.
Boggs also announced the most improved, mental attitude, 110% and coaches award winners.
Jacobi was named most improved for the girls, and Montgomery received that award for the boys.
“This award is based on their improvement from day one to the end of the season,” Boggs said.
Cox received the mental attitude award for the girls, while Eduardo Zarate was the recipient for the boys.
“That award goes to someone who displays the best attitude day in and day out,” Boggs said, adding the awards are voted on by the athletes and coaches.
The coach announced Amelita Vasquez as winner of the 110% award for the girls, and Grant Smith was the winner for the boys.
“That award goes to someone who works the hardest day in and day out,” Boggs said, noting several athletes were deserving of most of the special awards.
Nicole Rebber (girls) and Kaleb Brown (boys) received the coach’s awards.
“The coach’s award is based on many things, such as attendance, attitude and desire,” Boggs said.
Sandy Cerino had the fastest times in the 50 and 100 freestyles and 100 breaststroke for the girls, Cox had the fastest times in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke, McClure had the fastest 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley and Alexandra Weaver had the highest diving scores for six and 11 dives.
Hunt, Carmyn Wilson, Jacobi and Vasquez teamed up to swim the fastest 200 free relay, while Cox, Hill, McClure and Cerino posted the fastest 200 medley relay.
Pedro Cerino had the fastest 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley for the boys. Miller turned in the fastest 50 and 100 freestyles and Greenawalt had the fastest 500 free for the boys this season. Also, Kaleb Brown had the highest scores for six and 11 dives.
Aaron Drake, Greenawalt, Miller and Cerino turned in the fastest 200 free relay, and Montgomery, Smith, Cerino and Miller had the fastest 200 medley relay.
Boggs said Sandy Cerino, Montana Crossman, Kirby Hill, August Hunt, Vasquez and Miller were academic all-state. They needed a 3.75 or higher grade-point average to be named academic all-state.
“We stress academics here,” Boggs said.
Boggs said both Rebber and Brown had 100 percent attendance at all practices and meets during the season.
“We were glad to get through the season,” Boggs said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was week to week. In October, I didn’t think we would get through the season. Last year, we had to hold our awards banquet virtual.”
The girls had a record of 12-2 for their 27th consecutive winning season, and the boys were 12-3 and had their 28th consecutive winning season.
“That is something special,” Boggs said.
The girls finished third in the HHC and third in the sectional, while the boys placed fourth in the sectional and fifth in the HHC.
Boggs said the summer swim season begins April 19, and the summer is an important time to work on strength and stroke technique.