Colleges

Gator swimmer named SEC's top male athlete

By wire services
Published June 23, 2005

Florida junior swimmer Ryan Lochte was named the SEC Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday. The award was determined by a vote of conference athletic directors.

Lochte is the second Gator to win the award. Quarterback Danny Wuerffel won in 1996 and 1997.

Lochte won two medals at the 2004 Olympics, a gold with the 800-meter freestyle relay and silver in the 200 individual medley.

This past season, he won the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke to be named swimmer of the meet at the NCAA national meet. He also won the 200 back, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley and was part of four winning relays to score the most points at the SEC meet.

Auburn swimmer Kirsty Coventry won the women's award.

TENNESSEE: Two players suspended Tuesday were stopped by police while driving with suspended licenses, and coach Phillip Fulmer punished them for not taking care of citations in a timely manner, the Associated Press reported.

Safety Corey Campbell was stopped Friday and found to have an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court in March 2004. He allegedly stole 25 feet of coaxial cable.

Linebacker Daniel Brooks was not arrested for a crash June14. But he was found to have been cited in November for not using a crosswalk and two weeks later for running a red light.

Campbell, a junior this fall, started five games and led the team with four interceptions. Brooks, also a junior this fall, has not started any games.

PITT: Point guard Carl Krauser, who pulled his name out of the draft, won't necessarily return for his senior season. After attracting the attention of some European scouts during one predraft camp, Krauser is considering playing there next season then joining the NBA a year later. Because he recently turned 24, he said it might be time to start making money from basketball.

USF: Reserve center Konimba Diarra, who requested a release last month, will transfer to the College of Charleston. The 6-foot-10 sophomore, who averaged 1.2 points and 8.2 minutes, will sit out this season and have two years of eligibility left.

USF: Outfielder J.C. Suarez, who will be a senior at Tampa Catholic this fall, has committed to USF. He is coach Eddie Cardieri's first oral commitment for the 2006 class.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

[Last modified June 29, 2005, 12:49:40]