Kathleen Baker Named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Month

SAN FRANCISCO – CALIFORNIA freshman Kathleen Baker was named Pac-12 Women’s Swimmer of the Month and ARIZONA STATE sophomore Mara Aiacoboae was named Diver of the Month for January competition, the Conference office announced Wednesday.

Baker, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native performed well in the month of January, setting two top-10 times nationally and winning 10 dual meet events. At the Austin Arena Pro Swim Series, Baker’s time of 1:52.15 in the 200 backstroke was the fifth-best time in the country this season. Her 100 backstroke mark of 51.81 set in Austin is the sixth-best time nationally this season. Later in the month, Baker captured a trifecta of race wins against No. 9 Arizona (100 back, 53.64; 200 back, 1:54.83; 200 IM, 1:58.77) to help the Golden Bears to a team 185-114 win over the Wildcats.

This is the first-career Swimmer of the Month honor for Baker and California’s 13 all-time monthly nod, tying for most in Conference history.

Aiacoboae, a sophomore from Bacau, Romania, claimed four first-place finishes in her six events during the month of January. Three of her wins came off the 1-meter springboard, topping the competition against Wyoming (288.53), Stanford (293.70) and California (306.68). Aiacoboae additionally won the 3-meter springboard with a score of 306.90 against Wyoming. She has placed first in 11 of her 15 events this season.

This is the first-career Diver of the Month honor for Aiacoboae and third overall for ASU.

Also Nominated:

Swimmer: Emma Schoettmer, ARIZ; Katarina Simonovic, ASU; Emma Schanz, UCLA; Genevieve Robertson, UTAH; Addisynn Bursch, WSU.

Diver: Sally Hackett, ARIZ; Maria Polyakova, UCLA; Amanda Casillas, UTAH.

2015-16 Women’s Swimmers and Divers of the Month

Month Swimmer Diver
November Emma Schoettmer, ARIZ Maria Polyakova, UCLA
December Kirsten Vose, USC Maria Polyakova, UCLA
January Kathleen Baker, UCLA Mara Aiacoboae, ASU

Swimming news courtesy of Pac-12.

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About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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