Mizzou’s Kovac, Thompson Named SEC Swimmers of the Week

Courtesy: SEC

Men’s Swimmer of the Week: Danny Kovac, Missouri

Missouri’s Danny Kovac, a senior from Fort Collins, Colo., won four individual events between the SMU Classic and the Show-Me Showdown. At SMU, Kovac posted the fastest time in the nation in the 100 fly (45.77), the second fastest time in the nation in the 50 free (19.83) and the third fastest time in the nation in the 200 fly (1:43.06) while also being a part of the winning 200 free relay (1:19.45/19.65). At the Show-Me Showdown, he took first place in the 100 fly (46.46) and the 100 breaststroke (53.55) with the seventh best time in the nation.

Men’s Diver of the Week: Juan Celaya-Hernandez, LSU

LSU’s Juan Celaya-Hernandez, a fifth-year senior from San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico, swept the springboard events in the season opener vs. Grand Canyon. Celaya-Hernandez recorded a final score of 423.90 on the 1-meter and 416.10 on the 3-meter, the only diver to garner 400 points or higher for the meet.

 Men’s Freshman of the Week: Tyler Hulet, Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s Tyler Hulet, a freshman from The Woodlands, Texas, swam two individual events and four relays for the Aggies at the SMU Classic. Hulet’s split in the 400 medley relay of 47.53 in the 100 back is the fifth best time in the nation, and his 50 back split of 22.26 in the 200 medley relay is the seventh fastest time in the nation. He also posted a time of 1:46.48 in the 200 back, the 12th best time nationally.

Women’s Swimmer of the Week: Sarah Thompson, Missouri

Missouri’s Sarah Thompson, a fifth-year senior from Collierville, Tenn., earned six podium finishes with NCAA B-cut times at the Show-Me Showdown and the SMU Classic. At SMU, Thompson posted the second fastest times in the nation in the 50 free (22.05) and with her 100 back split in the 400 medley relay (52.17). She also recorded the fourth best time in the nation in the 100 fly (52.60) and sixth best in the 100 free (49.36). 

Women’s Diver of the Week: Aimee Wilson, Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s Aimee Wilson, a senior from Calgary, Alberta, won both diving events in the Aggies’ season-opening win at Houston. Wilson posted 303.15 points to win the 1-meter event, and compiled 342.75 points on the 3-meter the complete the springboard sweep. 

Women’s Freshman of the Week: Summer Smith, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Summer Smith, a freshman from Agawam, Mass., finished with the most points scored by a swimmer during Tennessee’s season-opening win at UNC Wilmington, notching 18 points with a pair of wins. Smith swept the 500 and 1000 freestyles in her collegiate debut, posting the fourth fastest time in the nation in the 1000 (9:59.20) and 14th best time nationally in the 500 (4:52.73).