April 10, 2008

DALLAS - Sophomore Jenny Johnnson capped a spectacular first season with the Herd swimming and diving team as she was named the 2008 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year as announced by the league office Thursday.

"This is such a great honor for the program," Marshall head coach Leonard Kraus said. "We were extremely happy with the way Jenny was able to perform during her first season here and she really earned this honor."

A transfer from Ashland (Ohio) University, Johnnson set a school record in the 200-yard backstroke three times during the 2007-08 season, finally setting the mark at 2:06.51 at the C-USA Championships in Houston. Johnsson also ranks in the top-10 in school history in the 400-yard IM with a collegiate-best of 4:33.37.

Johnnson is the first Marshall swimmer to receive a postseason swimming award since the Herd joined the league in 2005.

Prior to coming to Marshall, Johnnson was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2007 and Female Swimmer of the Year for Ashland in 2007. The Osby, Sweden native has also participated in the Swedish Junior Nationals.

"I'm very excited to see where she can go from here," Kraus said. "She has a lot of potential and hopefully she can be a force in the conference next season."