Gibb, Minette named SC ESPY Record-Breaking Performers of the Year
INDIANOLA, Iowa – Andrew Gibb of the Simpson men's basketball team and Kate Minette of the Storm swimming and diving team have been named the 2022-23 SC ESPY Male and Female Record-Breaking Performers of the Year.
Gibb, the reigning NCAA DIII statistical champion for free throw percentage, made an astonishing 61 consecutive free throws in his debut season with the Storm. His streak spanned across 15 games and 70 days, beginning with three makes in Simpson's conference-opening win over Coe on Dec. 3. He converted as many as eight free throws in a single game during that stretch of time.
The Fort Dodge, Iowa native finished the year with a nation-best 93.3 efficiency at the line, making 111 of 119 attempts for the second-highest single season percentage in program history. He was even more impressive from the charity stripe in conference play, only missing three of 64 tries for a league-leading 95.3 percentage.
Minette's record-breaking season was highlighted by becoming the first Storm swimmer to go under 25 seconds in the 50 freestyle, clocking a 24.57 at the Pioneer Classic to break Dana Kuiken's record of 25.01 set in February 2004. She also lowered her 100 freestyle record on two occasions and swam the anchor leg of the 200 freestyle relay which broke the oldest school record in the book, a 1:43.85 from February 2001.
At the inaugural American Rivers Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, Minette swam to victory in both the 50 and 200 freestyles to make history as Simpson's first conference champion. She also lowered her 100 freestyle record to a 54.25 to tie for second place. She was named A-R-C Swimmer of the Week twice and won eight total titles between the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles this season.
The Male and Female Record-Breaking Performer of the Year honors are the first of eight awards to be announced by the Simpson College Athletic Department. The remaining SC ESPYs winners will be unveiled throughout the rest of the week.
