MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Cromwell breaks records, collects four trophies at year-end awards banquet

The best swimmer taking home some hardware at the year-end awards banquet—that’s expected. But it’s not everyday that someone is awarded four trophies in the same season.

Senior swimmer Dave Cromwell had a record-setting season and was honored several times at Harvard’s awards banquet, sharing the Harold S. Ullen Trophy (seniors who demonstrate leadership and sportsmanship) and the William J. Brooks Trophy (team MVP) and also receiving the Stowell Trophy (most improved senior) and the Wyman Trophy (highest scorer in dual meets).

The seven-time All-American swam his best races at the end of the season.

At the EISL Championships, Cromwell set records in the 100-yard backstroke, the 200 backstroke, and the 200 medley. His high level of performance earned him a share of the Moriarty Award as the top point-scorer at EISLs.

At NCAAs, the senior earned a fourth-place finish in the 200 backstroke, breaking the EISL record with a time of 1:41.83.

“Dave just swam lights out,” said fellow NCAA competitor Geoff Rathgeber. “It was nice to see an Ivy swimmer up there with national champions and some Olympians.”

In addition to setting various records throughout the season, Cromwell managed to keep his life balanced. The senior was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District at-large first team—an honor only three other Harvard student-athletes received in 2006.

“Dave knows the ropes,” Rathgeber said. “He’s a great swimmer, friend, and captain. He definitely going to be missed next year.”

—KARAN LODHA