The SEC unveiled its conference swimmers and divers of the week.
Men’s Swimmer of the Week: Robert Howard, Alabama
Alabama’s Robert Howard won two individual events and was a part of two winning relays against No. 15 Tennessee. He won the 50 freestyle with an NCAA-best time of 19.65. Howard also posted his third consecutive sub-19 second 50 freestyle relay split, going 18.88 to lead the Tide’s 200 medley relay to victory. He won the 200 freestyle with a season-best 1:36.80, which ranks him sixth in the nation. Howard closed the meet with a 42.26 to anchor the Tide’s 400 freestyle relay, which went 2:55.85
Men’s Diver of the Week: Zhipeng (Colin) Zeng, Tennessee
Tennessee’s Zhipeng (Colin) Zeng won all four diving events during the meets against No. 13 Louisville and No. 11 Alabama, marking the fourth and fifth times in his two-year Tennessee career that he has swept both boards in a dual meet. He posted final scores of 404.40 in the 1-meter and 395.63 in the 3- meter against Louisville. Zeng then recorded finals scores of 386.40 in the 1-meter and 406.05 in the 3-meter against Alabama.
Men’s Freshman of the Week: Kacper Stokowski, Florida
Florida’s Kacper Stokowski registered a winning time of 46.76 in the 100 backstroke against No. 9 Georgia, the fastest time for the week nationally and the second fastest time on the season in the NCAA. He finished the 100 freestyle in 44.75, the top time by a freshman in the SEC and second best by a freshman in the country for the week. Stokowski also swam the first leg of the winning 200 medley relay (1:27.33/21.64).
Women’s Co-Swimmers of the Week: Claire Fisch, Auburn and Erika Brown, Tennessee
Auburn’s Claire Fisch swam on all four winning relays as No. 17 Auburn upset No. 7 and defending ACC Champion Virginia in Charlottesville on Oct. 26. She anchored both the winning medley relays and swam the second leg on both the winning free relays. Fisch also won the 50 free in a NCAA B cut time of 22.73, currently the 15th-fastest time in the country and the second-fastest in the SEC.
Tennessee’s Erika Brown won all four of her individual events and was a part of three winning relays against No. 8 Louisville and No. 25 Alabama. Against Louisville, she posted a NCAA B-cut time in the 100 fly of 52.98, the fourth fastest time in the country, and won the 50 free with a time of 22.83. In the win over Alabama, she took the top spot in the 100 free (49.94) and the 100 back (54.27).
Women’s Diver of the Week: Lizzie Cui, LSU
LSU’s Lizzie Cui won all four springboard events against No. 18 Kentucky and Tulane. In Lexington, she posted final scores of 306.45 in the 1-meter and 319.80 in the 3- meter. In the win over Tulane, Cui scored 323.10 in the 1-meter and 342.30 in the 3-meter.
Women’s Freshman of the Week: Vanessa Pearl, Florida
Florida’s Vanessa Pearl won two individual events and was a part of a winning relay team in No. 10 Florida’s win over No. 11 Georgia. She touched the wall first in the 100 breaststroke with an NCAA B-cut time of 1:01.77, the 18th-fastest time in the nation. Pearl also took first in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.79) and posted an NCAA B-cut time in the 400 IM of 4:13.02, the seventh best time in the NCAA. She swam the second leg of the first-place 200 medley relay (1:40.04/28.20).
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with the SEC. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.
Roll Tide!