McBratney, Strauss and Routson Claim MPSF Awards

WOODLAND, Calif. – Katie McBratney was named Freshman of the Year, Mickey Strauss was awarded Diver of the Year and Tyce Routson was named men's diving Coach of the Year, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation announced Thursday.

McBratney was tabbed Freshman of the Year in women's swimming after winning both the 200 and 400 individual medley titles at the 2020 MPSF Championships while also claiming second place in the 200 breaststroke. A two-time MPSF Athlete of the Week, the Queen Creek, Arizona native is the third Cougar to be named MPSF Freshman of the Year and the second straight after teammate Gwen Gustafson won the award last season.

A Provo, Utah native, Strauss swept all three men’s diving titles (1-meter, 3-meter and platform) at the MPSF Championships, becoming just the second diver in conference history to do so. He recorded career-best scores in all three to qualify for NCAA Zones. Strauss is the second MPSF Diver of the Year, joining Nic Suder in 2013.

Routson was named Coach of the Year in men's diving after a strong showing at the conference meet that led to five divers qualifying for NCAA Zones. In addition to coaching Strauss, Routson also guided divers Kimble Mahler and Nathan Gonzales to all-conference first team honors. The award is the second for Routson after earning honors in his first season in 2016.