Tom Hodgson gets MIAC coaching honors

February 17, 2008

St. Thomas swimming coach Tom Hodgson was named MIAC men's Coach of the Year and women's Co-Coach of the Year at the conclusion of Saturday's MIAC Championship. It was the second consecutive honor for Hodgson on the women's side. Hodgson athletes broke 14 of a possible 38 school records in swimming events this year, 13 of those at the MIAC meet.

The 29-year head coach guided the St. Thomas men to fourth place, two spots better than last season, and just four points (431-427) behind third-place Carleton. The Toms beat St. John's for the first time since 1995, broke six school records, and had a second-place relay.

T.J. Hardy won the 50 free (20.94) and took third in the 100 free (46.13), both in school-record times. Andrew Spratt set school records with top-five finishes in the 1000 free (10:02.63) and 1650 free (16:33.86). Hardy and Tim and Kevin Mullee were also part of new school records in both the 200 medley (1:36.20) and 200 free (1:24.68). John Stark was on the medley, and Mitchell Johnson was on the free relay.

On the women's side, the Tommies placed fifth and had a rare triple winner in freshman Becca Ney. Ney broke St. Thomas records in the 50 free (24.16) and 100 free (52.68). A relay disqualification on Friday night caused a 35-point swing and kept UST from a shot at fourth place.

In all the UST women had nine All-MIAC (top three) finishes, including seven individual and two relay. Jena Root broke a school record in the 100 back (58.86) and took third in the 100 back and 200 back. Layla Clauss placed second in the 500 free, and Kristen Jarnes closed her career as she placed third in three-meter diving.

UST broke four women's relay records -- the 400 medley (4:03.47) with Root, Ali Kriger, Jill Otterson and Clauss; the 200 free (1:39.83) with Krieger, Anna Kramer, Clauss and Ney; the 400 free (3:36.52) with Clauss, Krieger, Root and Ney; and the 800 free (7:54.24) with Root, Monica Beggs, Clauss and Ney.

Hardy, Ney and Root also have a chance to make the NCAA Championship field.