University of Georgia Athletics
March 19, 2006 | Swimming & Diving
March 19, 2006
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia's Kara Lynn Joyce and Jack Bauerle were named the National Swimmer of the Year and the National Coach of the Year, respectively, by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America following the NCAA Championships.
Joyce, a junior from Ann Arbor, Mich., won three individual events and was on two victorious relays at the NCAAs as the Lady Bulldogs came in second. Joyce won the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, taking the 50 and the 100 titles for the third straight year.
"Kara Lynn was exceptional," Bauerle said. "I'm so proud of her. She's a tough kid, a tough competitor, a great team kid. This award is an amazing feat for her. She came into the NCAAs wanting to win three events, and that's what she did."
Joyce joins Courtney Shealy and Kristy Kowal, who were co-recipients of the award in 2000, as Georgia's only National Swimmers of the Year.
Bauerle won the National Coach of the Year award for the fifth time in his career. He also earned the honor in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2005. Bauerle led the Lady Bulldogs to their third straight undefeated dual-meet season and his Georgia squad won the Southeastern Conference title.
"I think this award is recognition of our whole staff and our student-athletes," Bauerle said. "I don't take it lightly because it comes from my peers, the other coaches who know the most about our sport. It's a neat honor for Georgia. I enjoyed this team so much this year, and I'll always remember how much fun we had."
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