Cal Swim & Dive: Ryan Hoffer named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year

For the eighth time in 12 years, a Cal swimmer has been named the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year as the most recent winner of the award was Ryan Hoffer from the shortened 2020 season.

Hoffer, a dominant short-pool swimmer, became the eighth swimmer in the past 12 years and the ninth California Golden Bear to earn the award since 1987.

The winner of multiple events and the owner of several fastest times in the country, Hoffer set himself apart from all other swimmers this year. The junior from Scottsdale, Arizona finished with the country’s top time in the 50-meter freestyle as well as the second-fastest and third fastest in differing 100-meter swims.

Hoffer also found himself on the semifinalist list for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award given to the nation’s top amateur athlete.

Let this serve as a friendly reminder that you can still vote for Abbey Weitzeil for the award as she’s one of the finalists herself.

Hoffer was also named the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Month in December and had multiple event wins including a dominant performance at the Minnesota Invitational where he was the first swimmer to crack the infamous 19-second mark in the 50-meter freestyle swim of the season.

David Durden repeated as the Pac-12 Swimming Coach of the Year in the process as well, earning his third straight nod.

Durden took over the program in 2007-08 and has been the Coach of the Year nine times now. His nine honors as top coach are second in conference history as his Golden Bears team finished 6-0 in dual meets and crushed the Pac-12 Championships.

It’s quite a dynasty we got going here in Berkeley. Congratulations, gentlemen!