FORMER GCST MEMBER PIETER RITZ AWARDED BY CSCAA

Henderson State graduate assistant coach  Pieter Ritz was named the recipient of  the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) 2014 Jean Freeman Scholarship.
 
The Jean Freeman Scholarship is given annually to a male and a female assistant coach in each NCAA division whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their college or university, and whose leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomizes those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman.
 
Ritz has served as a graduate assistant coach for the Red Wave the past two years and is pursuing a master's degree in sports administration.
 
Ritz swam collegiately for four years at Division I Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. While at Cleveland State, Ritz was a finalist at the Horizon League Championships all four years.
 
In 2009, Ritz reached the podium at the conference championships with a 7th place finish in the 1000 freestyle and an 8th place finish in the 1650 freestyle. Ritz also reached the conference podium in 2012 with an 8th place finish in the 1650 freestyle. He was also named to the Dean's List three years at CSU.
 
A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Ritz was member of the Gulf Coast Swim Team for 16 years. Ritz also swam for the Florida Zone Team in 2006. During his prep swimming years, Ritz was a district champion in 2005, was a three-time regional finalist, and was a state finalist in 2006 and 2007. Read more...