Receiving special honors at the Seymour swimming and diving awards program were, front from left, Addy Castetter, Nicole Rebber, Katya Cox, Emily Windley and Gracie Adams, and back from left, Chaze Combs, Kaleb Brown, Paul Montgomery, Larry Simons and Cole Simmons.
Arv Koontz | The Tribune
Seniors Paul Montgomery and Katya Cox scored some big points in postseason meets for the Seymour swim teams this winter.
Montgomery was a sectional champion in the 50 freestyle at the Floyd Central boys sectional and set the school record in the 100 freestyle in placing second to also qualify for state in that event.
He also was second in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free at the Hoosier Hills Conference meet, and he swam on relays that earned points in the conference and sectional meets.
Cox earned HHC honorable mention by placing second in the 50 and 100 freestyles, and she anchored the 200 and 400 freestyle relays that placed second.
At the sectional, Cox placed third in the 200 free and sixth in the 50 free and was part of the 200 free relay that placed third and helped the 400 free relay place fourth.
Both earned academic All-American honors, both topped their respective teams in points and head coach Dave Boggs named them most valuable swimmers at the awards program Tuesday night in the school cafeteria.
Cox had previously been announced as a Lilly Endowment scholarship winner.
Boggs announced that Kate Connell, Grace Lewis and Nicole Rebber also were academic all-Americans. He said that gives the school 39 female academic all-Americans and 28 male academic all-Americans.
Cox scored 245 points, and Addy Castetter was second for the girls with 151 points. Montgomery topped the boys with 278.25 points, and Lane Mellencamp was second for the boys with 186.5 points.
Boggs also announced the most improved, mental attitude, 110% and coaches award winners for both the boys and girls.
The mental attitude awards went to Larry Simons and Emily Windley.
“This award goes to someone who displays the best attitude day in and day out, in practice, during competition,” Boggs said.
Nicole Rebber and Kaleb Brown received the coaches award. Boggs said that award is presented to athletes who work hard throughout practices and meets.
Gracie Adams and Cole Simmons were named the most improved swimmers.
“This is the hardest one to pick,” Boggs said. “This is given to someone who improves the most from Day 1 to the end of the season.”
Castetter and Chaze Combs were announced as the 110% award winners.
“This award is based on who works the hardest day in and day out, in the water and dry land,” Boggs said.
There were 31 girls and 17 boys who swam and/or dove this winter. The girls ended up with a record of 14-2, and the boys were 12-4. Boggs said this is the 29th consecutive winning season for the girls and the 30th straight winning record of the boys.
The girls placed third in the Hoosier Hills Conference meet, while the boys placed fifth.
The girls placed third in the sectional, while the boys were second. Boggs said both the boys and girls had 21 out of a possible 24 best swims of the season in that meet.
Boggs encouraged the returning swimmers to swim competitively during the spring and summer. He said the summer season begins April 18.