May 19, 2010

Bronx, N.Y. - As the 2009-10 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 76th annual Block F Awards Dinner at the Villa Barone Manor on May 6th to honor Fordham University's student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.

Among those honored was senior Caitlin Napoli, who was named the 2010 Hobbs Award winner as well as the women's swimming most valuable player.

The Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award is presented to the Female Athlete of the Year who has achieved outstanding athletic accomplishments. The award is named in honor of the late Claire and Jack Hobbs. Jack was a 1938 graduate of Fordham College and a 1941 graduate of Fordham Law, and he and his wife were avid Fordham followers.

Napoli, a senior with the women's swimming squad, won the 500 freestyle at the 2010 Atlantic 10 Championships, earning First Team All-Conference honors and leading the Rams to their first ever team title. She also earned First Team All-Conference honors as a member of the winning 800 freestyle relay that won the event and set a new A-10 record (7:20.82). Napoli also placed second in both the 200 free and 200 fly at 2010 A-10's, earning Second Team All-Conference honors in both events.

A two-time team captain, Napoli was a member of two other relays that scored at A-10s, including the 400 free relay which placed second in a school record time of (3:23.72), earning Second Team All-Conference honors.

Napoli graduates with school records in the 200 free (1:49.55) and 500 free (4:52.07) as well as being a member of the 200 free (1:35.21), 400 free (3:23.72) and 800 free (7:20.84) relay teams.