Bernardino, McLean, Shaw Pick Up ACC Accolades
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Head swimming coach Mark Bernardino twice earned Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors for the men and women while first-year Matt McLean was honored as both the men’s ACC Swimmer of the Year and Freshman of the Year. In addition, first-year Liz Shaw was awarded the women’s Freshman of the Year honor. All of the awards, announced Wednesday by the conference office, were determined by a vote of the league’s coaches.
Bernardino was voted men’s Coach of the Year by his peers for the 14th time. The native of Drexel Hill, Pa., led the Cavaliers to their 11th championship crown as Virginia outpaced the competition at the 2008 ACC Championships in February with 833 points for the fourth-highest total in ACC history. In 2008, Bernardino’s squad produced two NCAA All-Americans (Matt McLean and John Snawerdt), one NCAA All-America relay team (800 freestyle), four NCAA All-America Honorable Mention, six ACC individual champions, four ACC championship relay teams, and 11 All-ACC performers.
Bernardino also guided the Cavalier women to their sixth ACC championship title and first since 2004. Under Bernardino in 2008, the Cavaliers boasted one NCAA All-American (Liz Shaw), one NCAA All-America relay team (800 freestyle), two ACC individual champions, three ACC championship relay teams, and 11 All-ACC performers. It was Bernardino’s 10th ACC Coach of the Year honor on the women’s side.
Making his mark in just the first year of competition, McLean became only the second student-athlete in ACC history to be recognized as both ACC Swimmer and Freshman of the Year. A product of Sterling, Va., the freestyler played a pivotal role for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2008, winning the 200 and 500 freestyle events at the league’s championship in February and garnered honors for ACC Most Valuable Swimmer. McLean also competed in three relay races, swimming on the 200 free (1:34.54) and 800 free (6:22.93) squads that set conference and ACC meet records en route to helping the team capture its 11th league championship crown. The rookie made a splash at the NCAA Championships this year, as the All-American turned in a fourth-place showing in the 500 free (fourth) and swam on the 800 free relay team that finished fourth.
Shaw, a unanimous pick, set three conference records in just her first season and was instrumental in helping the Cavalier women capture their sixth ACC championship and first since 2004. At the 2008 NCAA Championship, Shaw established a conference record in the 200 butterfly (1:54.98) en route to a fourth-place finish, earning All-America honors. An all-ACC performer in four events, Shaw was crowed conference champion in the 200 fly and 200 IM events. Shaw also was a member of the 400 medley relay team that shattered the ACC record at the league championship meet in February.
Men’s Award Winners
ACC Swimmer of the Year
Matthew McLean, Virginia
ACC Diver of the Year
Reuben Ross, Miami
ACC Freshman of the Year
Matthew McLean, Virginia
ACC Coach of the Year
Mark Bernardino, Virginia
Women’s Award Winners
ACC Swimmer of the Year
Jessica Botzum, Virginia Tech
ACC Diver of the Year
Brittany Viola, Miami
**unanimous choice
ACC Freshman of the Year
Elizabeth Shaw, Virginia
**unanimous choice
ACC Coach of the Year
Mark Bernardino, Virginia