Nov. 4, 2008
COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M senior and 2008 U.S. Olympian Christine Marshall (Newport News, Va.) has been named the Counsilman Hunsaker National Collegiate Swimmer-of-the-Week for Division I women, CollegeSwimming.com announced today.
Marshall was named to the honor for her role in three of the Aggies' nine victories over No. 18 Penn State last Friday. The eighth-ranked Aggies beat the Nittany Lions, 153-88, in the 13-event meet on Halloween night.
The 16-time All-American won both the 200 and 500-yard freestyles in times that rank in the top five nationally while anchoring the 400-yard freestyle relay to one of the fastest times in the country as well.
Marshall set a career-best time of 4:47.81 in the 500 free, an event she has rarely contested until this season. The time currently ranks her fourth in the nation, just over a second behind the national leader (Wendy Trott, Georgia, 4:46.27).
Marshall also ranks No. 4 in the country in the 200 free after recording a winning time of 1:47.59 against Penn State. She clocks in nationally behind only Karlee Bispo of Texas (1:46.68), Olympic 200 free silver medalist Sara Isakovic of Cal (1:46.73), and U.S. Olympic teammate Julia Smit of Stanford (1:47.05).
The Olympic bronze medalist also anchored the Aggies' 400 freestyle relay in 49.95, leading the group to a season-best time of 3:21.50. The time ranks fifth nationally.
The honor is only the second ever bestowed upon Texas A&M. Julia Wilkinson won the award for her performances in the Aggies' 174-125 dual meet win over the University of Texas almost exactly two years ago to the day.
The Counsilman Hunsaker National Collegiate Swimmer-of-the-Week is selected each week by a committee vote of 14 collegiate coaches across varying divisions.