This week’s National Collegiate Swimmer-of-the-Week (NCSW) honors reflect upperclassmen stepping it up and swimming fast with taper-time approaching quickly. Christine Magnuson (University of Tennessee - Knoxville) and Mike Alexandrov (Northwestern University) claimed NCSW honors for Division I. Whitney Wodstrchill (Truman State University) and Rodrigo Ferreira (University of North Dakota) grabbed Division II NCSW honors this week. While Kelly Norsworthy (Colby College) and Keith Diggs (Emory University) took Division III NCSW honors. The six were selected based on their performances January 22, 2007-January 28, 2007 by a panel of collegiate coaches and nominated by coaches, sports information directors, conference representatives and CollegeSwimming.com staffers.
Division I
Christine Magnuson, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Jr., Tinley Park, IL
Junior Christine Magnuson was a lead point-scorer for the Lady Vols Friday’s loss to 6th-ranked Florida, 157-86. Tennessee won five events in Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium, picking up eight NCAA provisional times and diving zone qualifying scores in the process. Magnuson won both the 50 freestyle (23.34) and 100 freestyle (50.84) in NCAA provisional times. She also helped the Lady Vols 200 medley relay squad to a third-place finish (1:43.99), which is also the current fastest 200 medley relay time of the season. She currently holds 24 NCAA provisional times and 13 individual titles.
Mike Alexandrov, Northwestern University
Sr., Champaign, IL
After entering day two with leads over both of their opponents, the Wildcats bested the Wolverines, 189.5-144.5, and dropped the Buckeyes, 185.5-148.5. With the wins, Northwestern finishes the dual-meet season with a perfect 8-0 record. Five of those victories came over ranked opponents. Northwestern opened the dual with a pool record and NCAA 'B' standard to win the 400 medley relay (3:12.03), with Alexandrov swimming the breaststroke leg. Alexandrov followed that up with a pool record and NCAA 'B' time to win the 200 breaststroke (1:57.45). He led off the second day of competition with a win as a part of victorious 200 medley relay that achieved an NCAA 'B' time (1:27.86). Alexandrov then blazed to a more than 2.5 second win in the 100 breaststroke (53.14), swimming an 'A' cut to establish yet another pool record for NU.
Division II
Whitney Wodstrchill, Truman State University
Jr., Atkins, IA
In Truman’s final home dual meet of the season, the Bulldogs knocked off fellow Division II rival Drury (Mo.) 118-85 on Senior Day. Wodstrchill scored the Bulldogs only individual win on the day. Wodstrchill led the way for the Bulldogs, racking up two of the squad's 19 individual NCAA Division II 'A' cut or 'B' cut times recorded on the day. Wodstrchill was over eight seconds faster than her closest competitor in winning the 1,650 freestyle with a 'B' cut time (17:33.55). She followed this up with an ‘A’ cut in the 200 backstroke (2:05.36), good enough for second-place in the event. Wodstrchill also had a third-place finish in the 500 freestyle (5:19.53).
Rodrigo Ferreira, University of North Dakota
Sr., Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
The Fighting Sioux swimming and diving teams ended their weekend meets in typical fashion. The first and second ranked teams in Division II found themselves at the top of many events at their selected meets. The swimming teams competed in the Minnesota Challenge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ferreira was part of the victorious 400 freestyle relay (3:05.57). In his individual events he placed first in the 100 backstroke (48.86) and was fourth in the 50 freestyle (20.82).
Division III
Keith Diggs, Emory University
So., West Hartford, CT
Colby College All-American Kelly Norsworthy had a big meet to help the Mules earn victories over Trinity College and Wesleyan University in swimming and diving on Saturday. Norsworthy and the Colby women won 208-87 over Trinity and captured a 175-119 win against Wesleyan. Norsworthy had two NCAA 'B' cut times in winning two of her three individual events. The 'B' cut times came in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.56) and 200 breaststroke (2:24.98). Norsworthy, who set a pool record in the 200 breaststroke, also won the 200 individual medley (2:11.72).
Kelly Norsworthy, Colby College College
So., Vienna, VA
The Emory University Men’s Swimming and Diving team, ranked second in the nation according to collegeswimming.com, defeated Transylvania University (Ky.) 189-92. Keith Diggs lead the Eagles, recording two NCAA provisional qualifying times during the meet. Diggs, a sophomore, recorded a provisional time in the 1650 freestyle (16:17.78), and in the 400 individual medley (4:07.68).
The National Collegiate Swimmer-of-the-Week Awards are underwritten by Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates, a multi-service engineering, planning, and design firm that specializes in aquatic facilities. For more information visit www.aquaticconsultant.com. The NCSW Selection Committee is: Chris Conlin, Case Western Reserve; Steve Crocker, Counsilman/Hunsacker; Ed Denny, California University of Pennsylvania; Pat Gallagher, St. Francis University; Erin Hurley, Grinnell College; Sharon Krueger, University of Virginia; Sean McNamee, St. Bonaventure; Joel Shinofeld, Washington & Lee University; Tim Verge, Shippensburg University; Andy Waeger, Lock Haven University; Suzanne Yee, Washington State.
