The Simmons College swimming and diving team proved to be the best in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference back at the conference championships in December. This week the accolades continued to pour in as junior Keri Ann Arsenault (Chester, N.H.,) was named the GNAC Swimmer of the year, and head coach Doug Backlund was honored as the conference coach of the year. "It is a wonderful testament to the Simmons Swimming & Diving program that in one year junior captain Keri-Ann Arsenault is awarded Swimmer of the Year and Coach Backlund, Coach of the Year. The two, not surprisingly, have earned these awards together, in the same year," Simmons College Athletic Director Ali Kantor said. "Together Keri-Ann and Doug bring many honors to Simmons Swimming & Diving."

Arsenault had a tremendous season for the Sharks qualifying for New Englands in three events, and often dominating in dual meets in the 1000 freestyle, the 500 freestyle and the 200 IM. "Keri-Ann has been a highly competitive athlete since she stepped foot on our campus. And she continues. In as addition to her success as an athlete she is one of the most important team leaders, setting examples, voicing her opinions, and encouraging teammates," Kantor said. In December at the GNAC Championship meet Arsenault scored big, winning the 500 free, the 200 IM and the 1650 free to help lead her team to a conference championship. "You won't find a more deserving person to earn the swimmer of the year award," said head coach Doug Backlund. "Keri-Ann is the hardest working swimmer I have ever had here at Simmons by a long shot. She gets everything out of herself and that's a tribute to her work ethic and great parenting." Arsenault was a constant force for the Sharks this season, and will continue to be so next year for Simmons as they try to continue their dominance of the GNAC.

Coach Backlund, who announced his retirement at the end of the season, left college coaching on a high note as the conference coach of the year. "Doug Backlund has marked the end of his eleven year coaching career at Simmons earning this Coach of the Year Award. Under his guidance Simmons Swimming has achieved great heights," Kantor said. "Doug has taken a small unknown program and developed Simmons into a well regarded and respected competitive team across New England."

In his 11 seasons he won six GNAC titles, including the last four, and helped lead the Sharks to a 6-2 dual meet record this season and a 10th place finish at the New Englands. "I'm flattered and humbled to receive the coach of the year award in my final season here at Simmons. Awards like this are earned by the hard work of the team not by an individual coach. I thank my team for the award, they are the one's that deserve it."