Exciting Achievements at the Summit League Championships
Savanna Berry and Julia Saxman have made waves in collegiate diving and swimming! Savanna, a junior diver from the University of Denver, was crowned the Summit League Women’s Diver of the Year. This marks a significant milestone as she also secured the Summit League Diver of the Championship title earlier this season. Savanna had a stellar performance, winning on both individual boards and helping her team clinch the diving event. In the recent NCAA Zones, she placed 27th in the 1-meter dive and 38th in the 3-meter.
What’s impressive is that she registered the fourth-highest score in her program’s history on the 3-meter board, with a score of 318.15. Her talent was evident throughout the season, earning her the honor of Summit League Women’s Diver of the Week six times!
On the swim side, Julia Saxman, a standout freshman, was named the Summit League Women’s Swimmer of the Year. She kicked off her college journey with remarkable achievements, including being part of four winning relay teams at the Summit League Championships. Julia also excelled individually, clinching gold in the 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free, with impressive times of 22.75, 52.86, and 50.14 seconds, respectively.
Her performance not only added her name to Denver’s top-10 all-time list but also marked the program’s first win at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships in eight years.
These accolades highlight a significant trend in collegiate sports—the impact of young talent. Both Savanna’s and Julia’s achievements underline a growing emphasis on nurturing and spotting young athletes in sports programs. According to a recent NCAA report, participation in college swimming and diving has increased by 5% over the past decade, showcasing a thriving environment for aspiring athletes.
The University of Denver has built a reputation for excellence in swimming and diving, with these awards being part of a legacy—Savanna is the fourth consecutive diver from DU to receive the Diver of the Year award, and Julia is the 13th swimmer to earn the Swimmer of the Year honor. This rich history not only emphasizes the hard work of the athletes but also the support from coaches and the community.
As the athletic seasons progress, keep an eye on these remarkable athletes. Their journeys remind us of the power of dedication and community support in sports.
For more detailed coverage of DU’s athletic programs, check out DenverPioneers.com.
