MELBOURNE, Fla. - Nova Southeastern University swimmer Anton Lobanov is named 2016-17 Sunshine State Conference Male Athlete of the Year. Lobanov becomes the third Shark to be honored as SSC Athlete of the Year in the award's 30-year history.
Voting for the award was conducted among SSC Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Athletic Communication Directors, and Faculty Athletic Representatives from each of the nine member institutions.
The Novosibirsk, Russia native was selected SSC Swimmer of the Year by conference coaches following an exceptional season. At the 2017 NCAA Division-II Championship, the junior won his third consecutive titles in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events to set a program record of six individual national championships. He also helped pilot NSU to a second place finish in the 400 Medley Relay, third place in the 200 Medley Relay, and eighth place in the 200 Free Relay, moving his All-American award total to five in 2016-17.
With the efforts of Lobanov, Nova Southeastern was undefeated in dual meet competition this season, posting a 7-0 record. The Sharks then went on to capture the SSC championship for the third time. NSU then capped the season with a third-place team finish at the NCAA national championship in Birmingham. It was the program's highest ever finish in school history.
Overall, Lobanov still holds the NCAA Division II records in the 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke, both of which were set in 2015. He is also a member of three SSC Championship record-holding relay teams, including the 2017 200 Medley Relay and 400 Medley relay teams.
Lobanov joins Abbey Gittings (Golf, 2011-12) and Sandara Changkija (Golf, 2009-10 & 2010-11) as SSC Athlete of the Year winners from NSU. Florida Southern College's Jeb Halfacre (2010-11, 2011-12) is the only other swimmer to be named SSC Athlete of the Year.
Complete Listing: SSC Athletes of the Year