Louisville’s Joao De Lucca and Tanja Kyllainen were recognized today as Swimmers of the Week from the American Athletic Conference. De Lucca was named Male Swimmer of the Week for the conference-best sixth time this season, while Kyllainen was honored as Female Swimmer of the Week for the second time.
DeLucca led the No. 7 Cardinals to victories over Kentucky and Notre Dame over the weekend, taking first place four times as an individual and was a part of two winning relays. He posted two NCAA ‘B’ cuts in the 200-yard freestyle, with a best time of 1:36.05. The senior also added two more ‘B’ cuts in the 100-yard freestyle, in 43.57 and 44.14. He helped the 400-yard freestyle relay team win twice, including a pool record 2:58.17. All six of his individual swims were among the 100 fastest in the nation this year.
Kyllainen was key as the Louisville women downed rival Kentucky 193-107 on Senior Day. She won her three individual events, led by a victory in the 200-yard butterfly that eclipsed her NCAA Invite time from last season and was the 20th best time in the country this year. She also touched the wall in 2:00.35 in the 200-yard IM, recording a NCAA ‘B’ cut.
AROUND THE AMERICAN – MEN’S
UConn remained perfect in head-to-head competitions on the year, improving to 4-0 by defeating former conference rival Seton Hall 175-116.
The Bearcats downed Wright State 157-138, led by the performance of Joey Ferreri. The junior distance swimmer took first place in the 500-yard freestyle, 1650-yard freestyle, and 200-yard butterfly.
SMU fell to No. 2 Texas A&M over the weekend, but saw senior Ramon Melo win the 50-yard freestyle and win as part of the 400-yard freestyle relay.
AROUND THE AMERICAN – WOMEN’S
The Huskies moved to 3-1 with a 174.5-116.5 win over Seton Hall on the road last weekend.
Jackie Kiere excelled again for Cincinnati, taking four first place titles, in three individual freestyle races and the 200-yard freestyle relay, to lead the Bearcats past Wright State.
Rutgers posted a sweep of visiting Fordham (169-128) and Rider (211-79). Sophomore Joanna Wu took three first place finishes, two in backstroke events and as part of the 200-yard medley relay.
This Week in The American Swimming and Diving:
Fri. 31 Rice/Tulane/LSU at Houston 6 p.m.
Louisville at Indiana 5 p.m.
North Texas at SMU (Women) 2 p.m.
Sat. 1 Dartmouth at UConn 12 p.m.
Cincinnati at Kentucky 12 p.m.
Rice/Tulane/LSU at Houston 12 p.m.
Oklahoma Baptist at SMU (Women)11 a.m.
Sun. 2 Colgate at UConn 12 p.m.
All times Eastern.
The above is a press release submitted by the AAC.
