Wagner standout senior Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI / Hawaii Preparatory Academy) was named Northeast Conference (NEC) Swimmer of the Week after recording four victories in the Seahawks’ dual meet at Rhode Island this past Saturday, the conference announced this afternoon.
For Nihipali, it marks the second time in a row she has received the award, after being named the NEC’s Co-Swimmer of the Week for her performance at the ECAC Championships in December.
The Honolulu, HI, native was victorious in the 100 backstroke (56.94) and 200 backstroke (2:06.52) as the Green and White earned its sixth dual meet victory of the season. Her times in both backstroke events rank second amongst NEC competition this season.
Nihipali also combined with senior Katja Claesson (Fullerton, CA / Troy High School), junior Kirsty Hessing (Bloomington, IL / Normal Community) and freshman Kelsey Eastman (Effort, PA / Pleasant Valley) for a victory in the 200 medley relay, finishing in 1:46.33, before getting her fourth win of the afternoon in the 400 free relay alongside Eastman, Hessing, and junior Maddie McNichol (Downingtown, PA / Henderson) (3:35.66). Both relay teams set the conference’s fastest times in the respective events at the Frank Elm Invitational earlier this season.
The Seahawk captain currently holds four individual school records and has combined for three more top marks in Wagner history on relays, while becoming the first swimmer to represent the school at the US Olympic Trials last season.
Wagner returns to action in two weeks, as the team travels across the Verrazano Bridge to take part in the LIU Brooklyn Tri-Meet, in which it will compete against the host Blackbirds and also the Northeastern Huskies from January 27-28.
News courtesy of Wagner Athletics.
