Riggs, Burnett Earn Major Awards

By Grant Dovey for WVUsports.com
February 18, 2012 11:55 PM

Vic Riggs with his BIG EAST Women's Coach of the Year trophy.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Vic Riggs was named the 2012 BIG EAST Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the women’s team to a third-place finish at the BIG EAST Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., this past week.

Junior Rachael Burnett was named the 2012 BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer for the second-consecutive season.

Riggs, who is in his fifth season, saw his women’s team record seven individual and relay champions.

The 800 free relay team of Burnett, Kata Fodor, Mandie Nugent and Danielle Smith placed first with a school, pool and BIG EAST record time of 7:06.87. The 200 medley team of Smith, Jenelle Zee, Nugent and Burnett followed it up with a second-place finish in a time of 1:39.99 for another school record.

Nugent also led the women with two individual wins in the 100 fly (53.14) and a 200 fly. Nugent’s 200 fly time of 1:54.43 was an NCAA “A” cut time, as well as the school, pool and BIG EAST record.

Burnett won three individual events, one relay title and set a pool and BIG EAST record in the 500 free (4:39.63) and 1650 free (16:13.94). Burnett’s other individual win was in the 200 free (1:46.23).

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