Joyce, Rouault Named SEC Swimmers Of The Year

ATHENS, Georgia, February 14. GEORGIA's Kara Lynn Joyce and Sebastien Rouault have been chosen as the Southeastern Conference Swimmers of the Year, according to an announcement made Wednesday by the league office.

The voting was conducted by the league's coaches at last week's SEC Championship, where Joyce and Rouault combined for five individual titles.

"I am really proud of both of them," Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. "They came through at the SECs with some really big performances, just like they always do. They have represented our program in a tremendous way. They lead every day by their work ethic. We couldn't be happier for them for these awards."

Joyce, a senior from Ann Arbor, Mich., won the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyles at SECs, earning the Commissioner's Trophy for high-point honors. Joyce won the 50 for the fourth straight year at the conference meet, becoming the first woman to do so. She also won the 100 for the third consecutive time and the 200 for the second straight season. The nine individual titles tied Joyce for the most all-time in school history. She currently owns the nation's top times in the 50 (21.73) and the 100 (47.62).
Joyce also was chosen as the 2006 SEC Swimmer of the Year by the league's coaches and was picked as the SEC Co-Swimmer of the Year (with teammate Mary DeScenza) by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Joyce is a 21-time All-American and has won seven individual and nine relay national championships.

Joyce and Kristy Kowal (1998, 1999 and 2000) are the only Lady Bulldogs to win SEC Swimmer of the Year honors.

Rouault, a junior from Chambourcy, France, won two events at SECs – the 500- and the 1650-yard freestyles. Each win was the third straight of his career at SECs, giving him seven in three years. Rouault owns a time of 14:46.53 in the 1,650 this year to rank first nationally, while his effort of 4:16.80 in the 500 is second in the country. Rouault was undefeated in dual meets this year in the 500-, 1000- and 1650-yard freestyles and the 400-yard individual medley.

In 2006, Rouault won the national title in the 1650-yard freestyle. He is a five-time All-American.

Rouault joins Robert Margalis (2003) as Georgia's SEC Swimmers of the Year. Jud Campbell (2001) and Chris Colwill (2005 and 2006) have been recognized as SEC Divers of the Year.

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