UCSB swimming head coach Gregg Wilson and senior Anne Marie May were awarded with a pair of major Big West Conference honors it was announced Wednesday by the league office. Wilson was named the 2010 Men’s Co-Coach of the Year while May was named the 2010 Women’s Swimmer of the Year.
Wilson claimed Coach of the Year honors for the record 15th time after leading the UCSB men to another solid season. The Gaucho men finished second at the Big West Championships with 896.5 points, the most the Gauchos have amassed since a 904-point showing in 2001. After a successful dual season and impressive showings in national meets, UCSB won 11 titles at the Big West Championships, including four relay crowns.
Wilson shared the honor with UC Davis head coach, Peter Motekaitis. Wilson has earned a combined 27 Big West Coach of the Year honors during his career, earning Women’s Coach of the Year honors 12 times.
May, a senior from Carmel, has had an excellent season for UCSB to this point. At the Big West Championships, May won the 50 freestyle by nearly a full second over the second-place finisher. She owned the No. 1 time in the NCAA in the event for a large part of the season and is currently tied for seventh with her season-best time of 22.34. Throughout this season, she led the Big West with both her 50 and 100 free times.
This is May’s second Big West Women’s Swimmer of the Year honor, she also earned the accolade in 2008. Additionally, she was the 2007 Big West Women’s Freshman Swimmer of the Year.
May will represent UCSB at the 2010 NCAA Championships in West Lafayette, Illinois on March 18-20. It will be the senior’s last chance to compete for a national title.
