Spartans Sweep Big Ten Weekly Honors
12/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Dec. 13, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The swimming and diving team swept The Big Ten Conference weekly honors as announced by the league on Tuesday (Dec. 14). Five Spartans picked up six awards, including both men's and women's Swimmer and Diver of the Week as well as the newly instated Freshman of the Week accolade. Those honored include: sophomore Bryan Williams, senior Brian Akers, freshman Hunter Bartlett, junior Jenny Rusch, and freshman Alison Menzies.
Williams was tabbed as Swimmer of the Week after recording first-place finishes in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:38.89), 100-yard butterfly (49.61) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:08.38) against Ball State last weekend. The Troy, Mich., native's 1000-yard freestyle time ranks first for the Spartans this season. This is Williams' first weekly award of his career.
Rusch was named Co-Swimmer of the Week on the women's side after capturing first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (24.09) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:33.78) against the Cardinals. The junior also placed third in the 100-yard freestyle (53.44) and 200-yard medley relay (1:48.33). She currently holds the top times for MSU in both the 50- and 100-freestyles this season.
Akers was named the men's Big Ten Diver of the Week after picking up a pair of wins in the 1-(268.35) and 3-meter (311.92) events against Ball State. The senior finished 43 points ahead of the second-place diver in the 3-meter competition to win his first weekly award.
Menzies picked up both Diver and Freshman of the Week honors from the conference on Tuesday. The Winston Salem, N.C., native finished second in the 3-meter (275.77) and third in the 1-meter (246.37) against BSU. She recorded personal bests in both events and earned the first weekly award of her career.
Bartlett rounds out the awards for the Spartans, picking up the first Freshman of the Week honor on the men's side. He placed first in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:09.92) and third in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.54) in last weekend's dual with BSU.
The Spartans return to action when they travel to Delray Beach, Fla., for their yearly training trip Jan. 2-8, 2011.
Players Mentioned
