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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia swimmer Ellen Williamson has been selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Thursday.

At native of Fort Mitchell, Ky., Williamson is the seventh Virginia women’s swimmer to earn the award and the third in the last five years, joining former Cavalier Liz Shaw (2008) and junior Lauren Perdue (2010).

At her first NCAA Championships, Williamson was the ACC’s top finisher in both the 200 backstroke (sixth) and 200 individual medley (14th), earning All-America and honorable mention All-America honors, respectively. She also anchored Virginia’s 800 freestyle relay team that placed ninth at the national meet, again acquiring honorable mention All-America accolades.

Williamson helped the Virginia women to their fifth consecutive and 10th overall ACC title in February. She was an all-conference performer in all three of her individual events, taking second in both the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke behind her Cavalier teammates. Williamson also placed third in the 100 butterfly at the ACC Championships.

In just one season, Williamson already ranks third in the Virginia record books in the 200 individual medley (1:57.67), 200 backstroke (1:53.82) and 100 butterfly (52.87). She also ranks seventh all-time in the 100 backstroke (53.87).

The award recipients were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.

2012 ACC Award Recipients
Men’s Swimmer of the Year

Mateo De Angulo, Florida State

Men’s Diver of the Year
Logan Shinholser, Virginia Tech

Men’s Freshman of the Year
Juan Sequera, Florida State

Men’s Coach of the Year
Ned Skinner, Virginia Tech

Women’s Swimmer of the Year
Stephanie Peacock, North Carolina

Women’s Diver of the Year
Kaylea Arnett, Virginia Tech

Women’s Freshman of the Year
Ellen Williamson, Virginia

Women’s Coach of the Year
Rich DeSelm, North Carolina

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