Marshall University Athletics
Sirena Rowe Named Conference USA Freshman of the Year
3/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
IRVING, Texas - Sirena Rowe made Marshall swimming program history as she was named the Conference USA Freshman Swimmer of the Year, announced by the league Wednesday.
Rowe becomes the first Thundering Herd swimmer to earn a superlative award from C-USA. She is the first Herd swimmer to win a specialty award since Milla Kuurto was named Swimmer of the Year in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2005.
"It is a great honor, not only for Sirena but also Marshall University," head coach Bill Tramel said. "The Freshman of the Year puts the icing on the cake of a great year. We are all so proud of her on so many levels, for her athletic achievements to her 4.0 GPA academic achievements. It's a great day to be part of the Thundering Herd!"
The Charlotte, N.C., native was dominant in the pool this season for Marshall. Rowe set three individual school records in the 50 freestyle (22.08), 100 freestyle (49.53) and 100 backstroke (53.67). She was also a member of the 200 freestyle relay (1:30.12), 400 freestyle relay (3:21.41) and 200 medley relay (1:39.52) that set school records. Rowe notched the highest NCAA ranking of any C-USA swimmer, in any event, this season as she was ranked No. 15 in the 50 back.
She helped the Herd earn a third place finish at the C-USA Championships with four second-place finishes and one third-place finish. Rowe earned a trip to the NCAA Championships by setting a conference record of 22.08 in the 50 yard freestyle in a time trial. Her qualifying time in the 50 free ranked 24th among all national leaders.
Rowe's stellar season was capped off by becoming the first Herd swimmer to be invited to the NCAA Championships since Kuurto in 2005. She was one of 62 freshman to compete at the championships. Rowe finished 35th (22.43) in the 50 freestyle, 51st (54.32) in the 100 backstroke and 52nd (50.10) in the 100 freestyle. She improved on her qualifying time in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
The freshman also assisted the Herd to dual meet victories over Vanderbilt, James Madison, VMI, Ohio, Cleveland State, Saint Louis, Arkansas-Little Rock, McKendree University, Bowling Green. Marshall claimed its first West Virginia State Games title by winning 14 of 20 events held in the two-day meet.