Completed Event: Swimming and Diving versus Big 12 Duals on January 16, 2026 , , 5th, 781 points
Final
Swimming and Diving
Big 12 Duals
5th, 781 points
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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Hand Out Season Awards
04.10.2011 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State swimming and diving team held its annual awards banquet Sunday afternoon at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center.
Sophomore Dani Harris was named Iowa State's Most Valuable Swimmer. Harris led the squad with 21 event victories and had Iowa State's top time in the 100 and 200 back and 200 IM along with being a member of the Cyclones' fastest 200 and 400 medley relay teams and 200 free relay team.
Junior Sarah Nelson earned Most Valuable Diver honors. Nelson was Iowa State's top scorer on 1-meter and platform this season when she earned qualification to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. Back in January, Nelson earned Big 12 Diver of the Week honors for her efforts at the Tennessee Diving Invitational.
Meredith Doran was bestowed as the most improved swimmer. Doran made the transition to focusing more on the distance freestyle races during the 2010-11 season, culminating in leading the Cyclones in the 1000 free while ranking second in the 1650 free and third in the 500 free, where she went under the five-minute mark for the first time in her career.
Senior Justine Anders was named the most improved diver. Anders closed the season out with a strong finish, posting the best scores of her Iowa State career in the last few months of it. Anders posted her best 1-meter (248.48) and 3-meter (264.52) scores against Nebraska in January.
Emily Wiltsie took the honors as newcomer of the year. The Mason City native earned seven event wins during the season and led Iowa State in the 200 breast and 400 IM. Wiltsie scored points for the Cyclones in the 100 and 200 breast and 400 IM at the Big 12 Championships.
The Melissa Fender award went to Jenny Vondenkamp. The award goes to the student-athlete that is most proud of her school, proud to wear the school colors and proud to be a member of the swimming and diving team.
The Cyclone Relay Swimmer award went to Jeli Nixt. Nixt was a member of Iowa State's top 200 and 400 medley relay and 200 free relay teams during the season and finished her Iowa State career as a member of the school record holding 200 and 400 medley relay squads.
The Kerry O'Brien award, which goes to the Cyclone who demonstrates the commitment to improve to a national championship level, went to Harris. Harris recorded NCAA 'B' cuts in the 100 and 200 back and as a member of the 200 medley relay team. She also just missed the 'B' cut in the 200 IM by .06 seconds.
Kalyn Amundsen and Jessica Nicholson won the Cyclone Strength and Conditioning Awards. The award goes to the student-athlete who dedicates themselves in dry-land training and the weight room to achieve the strength and endurance to compete at a championship level.
Doran, Liz Holman and Sarah Nelson were named the captains for the 2011-12 season.
Sophomore Dani Harris was named Iowa State's Most Valuable Swimmer. Harris led the squad with 21 event victories and had Iowa State's top time in the 100 and 200 back and 200 IM along with being a member of the Cyclones' fastest 200 and 400 medley relay teams and 200 free relay team.
Junior Sarah Nelson earned Most Valuable Diver honors. Nelson was Iowa State's top scorer on 1-meter and platform this season when she earned qualification to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. Back in January, Nelson earned Big 12 Diver of the Week honors for her efforts at the Tennessee Diving Invitational.
Meredith Doran was bestowed as the most improved swimmer. Doran made the transition to focusing more on the distance freestyle races during the 2010-11 season, culminating in leading the Cyclones in the 1000 free while ranking second in the 1650 free and third in the 500 free, where she went under the five-minute mark for the first time in her career.
Senior Justine Anders was named the most improved diver. Anders closed the season out with a strong finish, posting the best scores of her Iowa State career in the last few months of it. Anders posted her best 1-meter (248.48) and 3-meter (264.52) scores against Nebraska in January.
Emily Wiltsie took the honors as newcomer of the year. The Mason City native earned seven event wins during the season and led Iowa State in the 200 breast and 400 IM. Wiltsie scored points for the Cyclones in the 100 and 200 breast and 400 IM at the Big 12 Championships.
The Melissa Fender award went to Jenny Vondenkamp. The award goes to the student-athlete that is most proud of her school, proud to wear the school colors and proud to be a member of the swimming and diving team.
The Cyclone Relay Swimmer award went to Jeli Nixt. Nixt was a member of Iowa State's top 200 and 400 medley relay and 200 free relay teams during the season and finished her Iowa State career as a member of the school record holding 200 and 400 medley relay squads.
The Kerry O'Brien award, which goes to the Cyclone who demonstrates the commitment to improve to a national championship level, went to Harris. Harris recorded NCAA 'B' cuts in the 100 and 200 back and as a member of the 200 medley relay team. She also just missed the 'B' cut in the 200 IM by .06 seconds.
Kalyn Amundsen and Jessica Nicholson won the Cyclone Strength and Conditioning Awards. The award goes to the student-athlete who dedicates themselves in dry-land training and the weight room to achieve the strength and endurance to compete at a championship level.
Doran, Liz Holman and Sarah Nelson were named the captains for the 2011-12 season.
Players Mentioned
Breast/Sprint
/ Swimming and DivingBreast/Sprint
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and DivingDiving
/ Swimming and Diving
Middle Distance
/ Swimming and DivingMiddle Distance
/ Swimming and Diving
Back/IM/Breast
/ Swimming and DivingBack/IM/Breast
/ Swimming and Diving
Backstroke
/ Swimming and DivingBackstroke
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and DivingDiving
/ Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming and DivingBreast/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Distance
/ Swimming and DivingBack/Free
/ Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming and DivingThursday, July 22
Monday, January 27
Wednesday, December 19
Monday, December 10
