BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Brazilian Nathalia Silva has been named the Mountain East Conference's Women's Swimmer of the Year, as well as the league's Freshman of the Year, while skipper Oscar Roverato has been tabbed as the MEC Coach of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday.
 
Silva, a product of Sao Paolo Brazil, turned in quite a season despite joining the Braves at the semester break. The newcomer put on a show at the GMAC/MEC swimming Championships in February, taking home event titles in both the 1,000- and 1,650-Yard Freestyle, while posting a third-place finish in the 500-Yard Freestyle and a fifth-place showing in the 200-Yard Freestyle. She also swam the final leg on the 800-Yard Freestyle Relay team that finished fifth at the event.
 
Along the way, Silva tallied NCAA 'B' Standard qualifying times in three different events (500 Free, 1,000 Free, 1,650 Free), while also posting a quartet of school records as well.
 
Roverato, who coached the Black & Gold on an interim basis in 2018-19 before being named head coach last May, led the Braves on a remarkable journey in 2019-20, and culminated the season with an MEC title in February. The Black & Gold amassed 715 points in their first appearance at the event to finish fourth overall and first among the six competing MEC squads. The 2019-20 squad was comprised of nine freshmen, seven sophomores, three juniors and a pair of seniors.