April 2, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference men's swimming and diving awards for 2008 boasts a pair of young, but highly talented student-athletes with Virginia collecting three of the four individual superlatives, announced Wednesday by the league office. Matt McLean of Virginia was named both ACC Swimmer and Freshman of the Year, while Mark Bernardino was selected ACC Coach of the Year. Miami's Reuben Ross was the top pick as the league's Diver of the Year.

All of the awards were determined by a vote of the league's head coaches.

Making his mark in just the first year of competition, McLean became only the second student-athlete in ACC history to be recognized as both ACC Swimmer and Freshman of the Year. A product of Sterling, Va., the freestyler played a pivotal role for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2008 as he won the 200 and 500 freestyle events at the league's championship in February and garnered honors for ACC Most Valuable Swimmer. McLean also competed in three relay races, swimming on the 200 free (1:34.54) and 800 free (6:22.93) squads that set conference and ACC meet records en route to helping the team capture its 11th league championship crown. The rookie made a splash at the NCAA Championships this year, as the All-American turned in a fourth-place showing in the 500 free (fourth) and swam on the 800 free relay team that finished fourth.

Ross, the second diver in ACC history to capture a national championship, was named ACC Diver of the Year. The league honor is a first for the sophomore and third for a Miami diver. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Ross won the three-meter event at the 2008 NCAA Championships in March. He also earned All-America distinction in two other events at the NCAAs, finishing fourth in the platform and sixth in the one-meter.

Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino picked up another accolade for his display case this year, as he was voted ACC Coach of the Year by his peers for the 14th time. Earlier today, Bernardino received the league's coaching honor on the women's side to make it a sweep of both accolades for the first time since 2003. The native from Drexel Hill, Pa., led his Cavaliers to their 11th championship crown as Virginia outpaced the competition at the 2008 ACC Championships in February with 833 points for the fourth-highest total in ACC history. In 2008, Bernardino's squad produced two NCAA All-Americans (Matt McLean and John Snawerdt), one NCAA All-America relay team (800 freestyle), four NCAA All-America Honorable Mention, six ACC individual champions, four ACC championship relay teams, and 11 All-ACC performers.

ACC Swimmer of the Year
Matthew McLean, Virginia

ACC Diver of the Year
Reuben Ross, Miami

ACC Freshman of the Year
Matthew McLean, Virginia

ACC Coach of the Year
Mark Bernardino, Virginia