WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Arizona senior Ryk Neethling has been named Men's Swimmer of the Year and Wildcat head coach Frank Busch has been named Coach of the Year, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

Neethling, a 6-3 senior from Bloemfontein, South Africa, closed out his storied career with individual titles at the NCAA Championships in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events, both U.S. Open records, while finishing third in the 1,650-yard freestyle in Minneapolis, Minn. His wins give him nine NCAA individual titles for his career, third-best in NCAA history. He racked up a remarkable 56 points, second-best among individuals. At the Pac-10 Swimming Championships in Federal Way, Wash., Neethling successfully defended his Conference titles in the 500 and 1,650 freestyle. It was the fourth consecutive year that he won the 1,650 free and third consecutive year winning the 500 free.

This marks the fourth year in a row Neethling has been named Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year. The feat matches Dave Wharton of USC who is the only other swimmer to ever garner the honor four times (1988-91).

Busch, has been named Coach of the Year for the second time (1993) in his 11-year career and fifth time overall (men's and women's swimming combined). Busch was named the Women's Swimming Coach of the Year for 2000 yesterday. It is the first time in Pac-10 history that a swimming coach has earned both honors in the same season. The women's award has been given since 1987 and the men's began in 1976. Busch's Wildcats finished third at the NCAA Championships, marking the best finish in school history for the men's program. Arizona placed fourth at the Pac-10 Championships.

The awards are determined by a vote of the coaches.