Brunemann, Crippen, Gemmell and Thomas Win USA Swimming Open Water Swimming Awards

By Steven Munatones, Swimming World Open Water correspondent

CHICAGO, Illinois, September 19. IN a whirlwind year when she won the NCAA 1650 freestyle and started to take to the oceans for open water, Emily Brunemann, a senior at the University of Michigan, won the USA Swimming Open Water Female Swimmer of the Year award last night at the United States Aquatic Sports convention in Chicago.

"I had a mix of emotions when I found out. I was surprised, happy and honored all at the same time. I want to thank everyone at USA Swimming for their support and want to thank my coaches and team for this past summer and standing by me," said Emily who won the 2009 USA Swimming 10K national championships and was 9th at the World Swimming Championships 5K and 24th in the World Championship 10K this year in Rome.

The USA Swimming Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year was deservingly shared by USA Swimming's national open water swim team captain and world championship 10K bronze medalist Fran Crippen of Germantown Aquatics and Andrew Gemmell, the 10K world championship silver medalist.

Fran, the inspirational leader among the young American open water swim team, won both the 5K and 10K events at the USA Swimming National Open Water Championships, was third in the NYC Pro Swim and seventh in the world championship 5K in addition to his 10K bronze medal. Fran is currently ranked 15th in the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup, but he will undoubtedly move up in the ranking after he participates in the remaining World Cup races in China and Dubai later this year.

Andrew, who has become known for his finishing kicks in the open water, was third in both the 5K and 10K USA Swimming National Open Water Championships and was fifth in the world championship 5K in Rome in addition to his 10K silver medal.

Jay Thomas, a long-time USA Swimming and FINA open water swimming official, was the recipient of the prestigious Glen S. Hummer Award.

Jay has officiated at FINA World Swimming Championships, USA Swimming national open water swimming championships and local open water and pool events. He serves on the USA Swimming Rules Committee and the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Board as well as develops, trains and certifies open water swimming officials.

Jay said, "I can't tell you how honored I am to be chosen as the recipient of this award. I look forward to the future and stand ready to help out in any way to continue to raise the bar in the open water world. Thank you."

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