April 1, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech junior Gal Nevo has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Male Swimmer of the Year, while Nigel Plummer was tabbed the Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Wednesday. This is the first time in program history for either of these awards which were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.
“We have achieved so much this year and it’s just fitting to end the season with Nigel and Gal winning these awards,” head coach Stu Wilson said. “I want to thank the ACC coaches for recognizing Gal and Nigel with these prestigious awards and congratulate everyone on a fantastic season.”
Nevo was an All-American in both the 200-IM and 400-IM this season. At last week’s NCAA Championships, he finished second in the 400-IM with a mark of 3:38.00. That was the second fastest time in NCAA history and third-best in the world. He also finished fourth at the NCAA meet in the 200-IM with a time of 1:42.79. Both of those marks were Georgia Tech and ACC records.
Nevo also swam the 200-breast at the NCAA Championships and earned a 19th-place finish. His three swims at the NCAA meet helped the Yellow Jackets place 19th overall, their best finish in school history.
In addition, Nevo was a member of two Georgia Tech record-setting relay teams this season. He was on the 800-free relay team with Noah Copeland, Travis Wagner and Matt Tang that set a school record with a time of 6:25.30. In addition, he teamed with Copeland, Wagner and Garrett Robberson to break a school record in the 400-free relay with a time of 2:54.72.
Plummer broke the Georgia Tech record and was an ACC champion in the 50-free this season as he finished in a time of 19.54. He was also a member of the ACC champion 200-free relay team where he joined Robberson, Mauricio Sousa and Copeland to set a new Georgia Tech and ACC record. They touched the wall in 1:17.84.
ACC Swimmer of the Year: Gal Nevo, Georgia Tech
ACC Diver of the Year: Reuben Ross, Miami
ACC Freshman of the Year: Nigel Plummer, Georgia Tech
ACC Coach of the Year: Mark Bernardino, Virginia
