CLAREMONT, Calif. — Valerie Mello was named SCIAC Athlete of the Year, Izzy Yoon was dubbed SCIAC Newcomer of the Year and the Pomona-Pitzer women's swim & dive team's coaching staff was named SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday.
 
Mello won both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle individual events at this season's conference championships and three relays along with runner-up finish in the 50 Free and a fourth relay to reach the podium in the maximum seven events for champion Pomona-Pitzer. The senior's highlight of the meet undoubtedly was breaking former teammate Alex Turvey's conference record in the 200 Free, sneaking under the 1:50 barrier to clock a 1:49.78. Mello also played a role in setting two relay meet records in the 200 Free (1:32.05) and 400 Free (3:21.54) Relays.
 
Another meet record-setter, Izzy Yoon, was named Newcomer of the Year after claiming the 100/200 Back double including setting the new mark in the 200 Back at 2:00.61. The rookie also contributed on the Sagehens' champion 400 Medley Relay and runner-up 200 Medley Relay.
 
JP Gowdy and the Sagehens were recognized with the Coaching Staff of the Year award after leading Pomona-Pitzer to a 165.5-point victory and the first repeat women's title since 2018-19. The team combined for 12 event titles and 30 All-SCIAC swims, including five podium sweeps and five meet records.