Press Release courtesy of FGCU Athletics
After a number of impressive performances against the University of Florida last weekend, freshmen Rebecca Moynihan and Melissa Novak have been named CCSA Women’s Swimmer of the Week and Women’s Diver of the Week, respectively, league officials announced Tuesday.
Moynihan (Palmerston North, New Zealand/Waiopehu College) won the 100 free against #15 UF with her personal best and top CCSA time of 51:14. She notched a 3rd-place finish in the 50-yard free with her career-best of 23:74. Moynihan swam the second-fastest split of the meet with a time of 23:17 in the freestyle leg of the 3rd-place B 200 medley relay.
All told, the New Zealand native excelled alongside teammates Cassidy Fry (Oakwood, Ohio/Oakwood HS), Gracie Redding (Orlando, Fla./The First Academy) and Novak despite the 173-125 loss to the Gators.
Novak (Frederick, Md./Oakdale HS) dove her way to an NCAA Zone Qualifying performance as she finished 1st in the 1-meter dive by over 40 points with a score of 290.55. She was six points shy of the program record held by Mikaila Buening in 2016. Overall, she secured 12 points for the Eagles after finishing 3rd in the 3-meter with a score of 228.60.
This is the first weekly conference honor for both Novak and Moynihan in their rookie seasons. Earlier this campaign on Oct. 10, Redding was FGCU’s first weekly honoree as she was named CCSA Women’s Swimmer of the Week. Last year, FGCU had the CCSA Women’s Diver of the Week on seven occasions and the CCSA Women’s Swimmer of the Week eight times.
Moynihan, Novak and the Eagles travel to Columbus, Ohio, the weekend of Nov.17-19 for the Ohio State Invite. They complete their 2017 winter season with home meets against Northwestern on Dec. 17 and Toledo on Dec. 21.
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women’s swimming and diving, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WSWIM and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.
HEAD COACH DAVE ROLLINS
In his first year with the program in 2016-17, head coach Dave Rollins led FGCU to its eighth CCSA Championship in a span of nine years and guided the Eagles 200 free relay team to All-American honors. FGCU registered points at the NCAA Championships for the fourth-straight season and ultimately turned in its third-best finish all-time (T-41st). Prior to FGCU, Rollins was the associate head men’s swimming coach at The Ohio State University and brought 10 years of coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels. A standout collegiate athlete in his own right, Rollins was a nine-time NCAA All-American and national champion as a member of the University of Arizona swimming & diving team from 2002-06.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
