BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – After a historic 2022 season, Notre Dame College's Hannah Berlin and Ashton Smith have been recognized as the Mountain East Conference's Swimmers of the Year, along with head coach Stephanie Gyurke claiming the MEC Men's Coach of the Year award. Berlin and Smith are the first athletes in NDC program history to have won the conference's Swimmer of the Year award, as Gyurke has now won her third consecutive Men's Coach of the Year crown in just her fifth season as head coach. Lastly, this marks the first time an NDC swimmer has been recognized in the postseason since Adonis Thomas won MEC Freshman of the Year back in 2019. (Men's Release | Women's Release)

"Receiving the men's Coach of the Year award three years in a row is flattering, but I can honestly say that this would not have been possible without our two volunteer coaches Brionna Costanzo and Josh Grzincic," Gyurke said. "After I had my accident and needed time to recover, [Costanzo and Grzincic], along with the captains, kept things running. This award goes to the team and to our volunteer coaches. Thank you everyone."
 
Gyurke led Notre Dame College to an impressive 2022 season which featured the men's side claiming their third straight conference title, and the women's side tying their best finish in program history with a second place at this year's championships.
 
Berlin's impressive 2022 GMAC/MEC Championships included three Mountain East Conference titles, two All-MEC Second Team finishes, an All-MEC Honorable Mention placement and a pair of Notre Dame program records. The junior kicked off the meet with an MEC Championship in the 200-yard medley relay (1:50.74), alongside teammates Emily Thomas, Jaybreona Foster and Courtney Ledbetter who all claimed First Team All-MEC honors. Next, Berlin snagged her second MEC Championship in the 200-yard freestyle by touching the wall in record-breaking time (1:57.45) and earning First Team All-MEC honors. Berlin brought the electricity during her third and final MEC crown in the 500-yard freestyle. A terrific final 50 yards allowed Berlin to touch the wall at 5:09.34 and win First Team All-MEC once more.
 
In addition, Berlin earned Second Team All-MEC in the 1,000-yard (10:35.80) and 1,650-yard (17:51.04) freestyles, while being named to All-MEC Honorable Mention in the 800-yard free relay (8:12.01). Moreover, Berlin's time of 10:35.80 in the 1,000-yard freestyle rewrites the NDC record book for the event.
 
Smith also enjoyed a solid 2022 season by picking up a pair of MEC swimmer of the week awards, as well as four Mountain East Conference championships, three Second Team All-MEC awards and two recording breaking performances. The sophomore picked up MEC titles, including First Team All-MEC honors in the 50-yard freestyle (20.91), 100-yard freestyle (45.44), 200-yard freestyle (1:41.56) and 200-yard free relay (1:41.56). Smith was joined by Garrett Warren, Trey Parris and Roan Kelleher on the 200-yard free relay squad which set the new NDC program record in the event.
 
Moreover, Smith garnered Second Team All-MEC in the 200-yard IM (1:55.18), 400-yard medley (3:30.63) and 400-yard free relays (3:09.00). The South Turramurra, Australia native once again left his mark in the NDC record book with his 1:55.18 in the 200-yard IM.

"Hannah and Ashton both deserve this award," Gyurke mentioned. "I know all coaches say this about their athletes, but these two work harder then anyone else. It is truly rewarding to see their hard work, determination and dedication payed off. I hope this serves as inspiration for others to work hard as well. I am so incredibly proud of Hannah and Ashton."
 
A historic and record-breaking season by Notre Dame College's men's and women's swimming and diving teams has been properly recognized by the Mountain East Conference. Now, NDC and fifth-year head coach Stephanie Gyurke will hit the offseason in an effort to repeat the success from the 2021-22 season.