Northern Area Aquatics Committee News

"North Pole Swimmer, Coach Garner State Honors"
Quoted from an article in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Tuesday, May 1, 2001
Written by Bob Eley, Sports Editor

"Two members of the North Pole Aquatics Club received prestigious statewide honors following the U.S. Swimming Alaska House of Delegates meeting held Sunday in Anchorage.

Casey Woster was named the Female Swimmer of the Year and coach Bob Solow was honored with the Phillips 66 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Woster, a 17-year-old junior who also competes on the North Pole High School swim team, was honored for her steady improvement during the past season as well as her contributions to her team in general.

"She's made a lot of progress this year," Solow said. "She's worked hard and she's one of the few kids locally who maintains training regimen through the high school season."

The award is given annually to the swimmer who has shown outstanding improvement and dedication to the sport. The last NPAC swimmer to win the award was Patty Nash, she went on to have a successful collegiate career at Colorado State University.

Woster placed second in her age-group standings at the recent Junior Olympic State Championships in Anchorage and set the only state record at the meet. Ironically, when her record-setting performance in the 200-yard breaststroke (sic) was announced, it was discovered that she actually had broken the record during the Pacific Northwest Sectionals held in Federal Way, Wash., earlier in the season, according to Solow.

Her time at Federal Way was 2:08.97.

Solow said that Woster's contributions to the team as a whole may outweigh the times she puts up on the scoreboard.

"She is one of the most active members of the club in supporting others in the program," Solow said. "It's important to have someone of that nature in a program. We're really fortunate to have her."

The Male Swimmer of the Year was Josh Gemmell, a senior at Soldotna High School who will compete for Arizona State next year, according to Solow.

Solow joined a distinguished list of other Interior volunteers who have won the Phillips 66 Volunteer of the Year award.

Established in 1982, the award recognizes the invaluable contributions of volunteer service to one of the 60 US Swimming contingents.

"Phillips 66 and US Swimming take great pride in honoring the role of the volunteer in the growth of athletes and the programs they represent," according to the awards program.

"It's quite an honor," Solow said.

Past recipients of the award from the Interior are: Andre Layral, 1984; Rob Coady, 1986; Dennis Trabant, 1987; Ron Rasmussen, 1988; Scott Lemley, 1989; Marjie Illingworth, 1990' Evelyn Trabant, 1993; and Mary Emerson, 1996."