The 2016 NCS Awards Banquet was held on Saturday night, Oct 1, at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville, NC. A crowd of over 300 athletes, parents, coaches, and officials were on hand. Olympic Gold medalist and TV swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines was the special guest speaker and had the crowd thoroughly engaged with his inspiring words and his Olympic trivia game. YOTA coach and National Disability Coach of the Year, Tom Hazelett, introduced one of his team members, Hannah Aspden, who spoke about her journey to becoming a medalist at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. The audience was also treated to a video from long-time NCS age group swimmer, current Cal Berkeley swimmer, and Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, Kathleen Baker. Special thanks to Jonathan Watson, who did his usual “masterful” job as Master of Ceremonies.
Award caps and towels were presented to NCS Top Five swimmers and NCS All Star swimmers in attendance. Listed below are several special awards that were also presented.
Age Group Swimmer of the Year (Highest National Ranking by NCS Athlete) | |||
11-12 | Female | Claire Curzan | RSA |
11-12 | Male | Braeden Haughey | TAC |
13-14 | Female | Ashley McCauley | MOR |
13-14 | Male | Ross Dant | YSST |
15-16 | Female | Madison Homovich | MOR |
15-16 | Male | Zach Brown | MOR |
17-18 | Female | Courtney Caldwell | NCS |
17-18 | Male | Justin Ress | MOR/NCS |
Open Water Swimmer of the Year | |||
Female | Ana Pozder | TAC | |
Male | Chip Peterson | NCAC | |
Willis Casey Award (Top International Ranking by NCS athlete) | |||
Anthony Ervin | SwimMAC | ||
Andy Craver Determination Award | |||
Aj Johnson | WNCY | ||
Age Group Coach of the Year | |||
Jonathan Watson | MOR | ||
Franke Bell Senior Coach of the Year | |||
Jon Jolley | YSST | ||
NCS Team of the Year | |||
SwimMAC Carolina | |||
Phillips 66 Service Award | |||
Amy Faulk | |||