Colorado State University Athletics
Two Rams Honored by Sportswomen of Colorado
1/23/2020 3:10:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving, Volleyball
Ward swimmer of the year,: Oleksak earns volleyball award
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Sportswomen of Colorado have selected a pair of Colorado State athletes as the best collegians in their respective sports at its upcoming awards banquet, the group announced Thursday.
Senior Katie Oleksak was named the organization's volleyball player of the year, while junior Maddie Ward is the swimmer of the year.
Ward earned her honor coming off a record-breaking year for the Rams. She established school records in three individual events in the 2018-19 campaign, capped by her Mountain West championship in the 200-yard backstroke. Ward was also part of the school-record 200 medley relay team, with all of her records set at the Mountain West Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., last February.
Ward staked her claim in her specialty event by touching in 1:00.02 in the 100 breaststroke, then lowered the school time in the 200 breaststroke to 2:09.85, earning NCAA 'B' cuts in both races. Her trifecta was complete when she posted a 2:00.04 in the 200 individual medley. She combined with teammates Tonicia Thomas, Julia Box and Kristina Friedrichs for the relay record.
Oleksak completed her career for the Rams as the three-time Mountain West Player of the Year, a four-time AVCA honorable mention All-American and the Rams' all-time leader in assists in the modern-scoring era (starting in 2008) with 5,083, averaging 11.42 per set. Truly an all-around performer, she closed her career with 871 digs, 364 blocks (her .82 per-set average is high for a sette4) and posted 96 service aces.
Sportswomen of Colorado will recognize all of its award winners at the 46th Annual Awards Celebration and Fundraiser Banquet on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
Senior Katie Oleksak was named the organization's volleyball player of the year, while junior Maddie Ward is the swimmer of the year.
Ward earned her honor coming off a record-breaking year for the Rams. She established school records in three individual events in the 2018-19 campaign, capped by her Mountain West championship in the 200-yard backstroke. Ward was also part of the school-record 200 medley relay team, with all of her records set at the Mountain West Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., last February.
Ward staked her claim in her specialty event by touching in 1:00.02 in the 100 breaststroke, then lowered the school time in the 200 breaststroke to 2:09.85, earning NCAA 'B' cuts in both races. Her trifecta was complete when she posted a 2:00.04 in the 200 individual medley. She combined with teammates Tonicia Thomas, Julia Box and Kristina Friedrichs for the relay record.
Oleksak completed her career for the Rams as the three-time Mountain West Player of the Year, a four-time AVCA honorable mention All-American and the Rams' all-time leader in assists in the modern-scoring era (starting in 2008) with 5,083, averaging 11.42 per set. Truly an all-around performer, she closed her career with 871 digs, 364 blocks (her .82 per-set average is high for a sette4) and posted 96 service aces.
Sportswomen of Colorado will recognize all of its award winners at the 46th Annual Awards Celebration and Fundraiser Banquet on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
Players Mentioned
FREE, FLY
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
FREE
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
S
/ Volleyball
Backstroke, Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
BREAST, IM
/ Women's Swimming & DivingCSU Swim & Dive: 2025-26 Preseason Press Conference
Monday, September 29
21-22 Swimming Schedule Video
Monday, August 16
Colorado State Swim & Dive: Erin Popovich Speaks To Team About Confidence
Monday, November 18
Colorado State Swimming: Erin Popovich Visit
Monday, November 18