Courtesy: DSPics.com Alex Meyer

BOSTON – The Harvard men’s swimming and diving team honored the success of the 2008-09 season by handing out the team awards at its annual end-of-season banquet Saturday at the Harvard Club of Boston.

Junior Alex Meyer, who will serve as a team co-captain for the 2009-10 campaign, took home two of the major awards at the banquet.  First, Meyer was bestowed with the Reid Jorgensen Trophy as the team’s most improved junior.  Meyer, who placed 25th at the NCAA Championships in the 1,650 freestyle and won the 1,000 and 1,650 free at the Ivy League Championships, was also awarded the Eugene B. Wyman Trophy, given to the squad’s top scorer in dual meets.  Meyer was a two-time All-Ivy League first-team selection.

Next, the William J. Brooks Trophy, given annually to the swimmer or diver who contributes the most to the success of the team, was given to sophomore diver Zac Ranta.  Ranta placed 11th in the three-meter board at the NCAA Zone A Diving Championships and was fifth in the three-meter at the Ivy League Championships.

Senior Bill Jones, a four-time All-Ivy League selection this season and an Academic All-Ivy choice, took home the Stowell Trophy, presented annually to the senior who, through perseverance, diligence and untiring self-sacrifice, has most improved during his college career.  Jones helped the Crimson to an Ivy title in the 200 medley relay and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100 and 200 butterfly.  He finished 28th in the 100 fly at the NCAA meet.

Finally, senior co-captains David Guernsey and Eric Lynch were awarded the Harold S. Ulen Trophy, given annually to the senior who best demonstrates those qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and team cooperation.  Lynch was named to the All-Ivy League second team in the 1,000 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay, while Guernsey was tabbed to the All-Ivy first team in the 200 medley relay and the second team in the 800 free relay and 400 medley relay.

The awards banquet capped a strong season for the men’s swimming and diving team, which finished 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the Ivy League.  The team was ranked No. 22 in the final national poll and placed second at the Ivy League and ECAC Championships.

2008-09 Harvard Men's Swimming and Diving Team Awards
presented April 4, 2009

The Reid Jorgensen Trophy
Alex Meyer ’10
The Reid Jorgensen Trophy is given annually to the junior who, through perseverance, diligence and untiring self-sacrifice, has most improved during his college career. The trophy was established by a number of valued friends from the Class of 1935 in Jorgensen's honor.

The William J. Brooks Trophy
Zac Ranta ’11
The Brooks Trophy is given annually to the swimmer or diver who contributes the most to the success of the team. The trophies were established by William J. Brooks, Harvard's swimming coach from 1959 through 1971.

The Stowell Trophy
Bill Jones ’09
The Stowell Trophy is given annually to the senior who, through perseverance, diligence, and untiring self-sacrifice, has most improved during his college career. The trophy was established during the 1961-62 season by E. Esty Stowell '34 and Lonsdale F. Stowell '41.

The Eugene B. Wyman Trophy
Alex Meyer ’10
The Wyman Trophy is given annually to the team member who scores the most points in dual meets. The trophy was established after the 1934-35 season by Dr. Eugene B. Wyman 1904, a Harvard Square dentist who had been officiating at Harvard swimming meets since the Indoor Athletic Building opened in 1930.

The Harold S. Ulen Trophy
David Guernsey ’09 and Eric Lynch ’09
The Ulen Trophy is given annually to the senior who best demonstrates those qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and team cooperation as best exemplified by Harold S. Ulen. Ulen was Harvard's head swimming coach from 1930 until 1959, compiling a 219-48 record.