Sun Belt Announces Weekly Performers of the Week

North Texas’ Alicia Hale and Jeff Giddens have been named the Sun Belt Swimmer’s of the Week after stellar performances this for the week of January 9th, while Denver’s Cody Stambaugh was honored as the Sun Belt Diver of the Week.

Following her four-record performance at UNLV, Hale continued where she left off as she took home first place in every event she competed in against New Mexico State. Hale, a sophomore from Schertz, Texas, finished with a time of 10:34.18 in the 1,000 freestyle beating her closest competitor by nearly 15 seconds. Following the five second deduction because of Las Cruces’ elevation, Hale’s time was over two seconds faster than her previous record she set last year. Hale also took home first place in 400 IM and 500 free.

Meanwhile, Giddens, helped DU to an upset win over ranked-Northwestern and FAU, as he won the 50-freestyle with a time of 21.45, matching his best time of the season. He also finished a strong third in the 100-free with a time of 46.90, just off his season-best mark of 46.50. He also swam the first leg of the 200 Medley Relay for the Pioneers that finished third.

Stambaugh won the first 1-meter dive competition of his career on Dec. 19 in DU’s upset win over Northwestern and FAU. He outpaced his teammate Aaron Feight with 268.72 points to Feight’s 214.20. He finished behind Feight in the 3-meter dive with 225.70 points.

Tonight Evansville will be in action against Rose-Hulman and five other Sun Belt swimming and diving teams will return to the pool this week.  WKU will take on Boston College, Denver will face-off against Air Force, Florida International will compete against Florida State and Florida A&M, Missouri State will take on the University of Missouri and New Orleans will battle Georgia Southern and the Savannah College of Art and Design.