BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas A&M junior Ford McLiney was recognized for his performance against the LSU Tigers as the Southeastern Conference Men's Diver of the Week Tuesday.
In the back-and-forth dual meet in Baton Rouge, McLiney helped to bring in crucial points for the Aggies. McLiney dove to a second place finish in both springboard events with a final score of 329.55 in the 1-meter and 389.48 in the 3-meter. This marks the third SEC weekly recognition for McLiney since the Aggies joined the conference.
McLiney and the rest of the A&M swimming and diving team will head to Dallas Friday to close out dual meet competition against the SMU Mustangs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Male Swimmer of the Week: Dan Wallace, Florida
· Won every individual event in which he was entered at the Classic at SMU.
· The six-team unique format allowed for each team to have one swimmer in the “A” final and one swimmer in the “B” final.
· The Gators placed second behind top-ranked Michigan and in front of No. 6 Southern Cal, No. 8 Louisville, Purdue and SMU.
· Wallace set the meet and pool record in the 400 individual medley, winning the “A” head in an NCAA “A” cut and season-low time of 3:42.11. Wallace's time ranks fourth in the country at this time.
· Wallace led off and produced a 200 free split and season low of 1:35.83 in the 800 freestyle relay.
· On day two, won the “B' final in a 500 freestyle time of 4:17.23 and the “B” final of the 200 IM in a season-low of 1:45.95.
Male Diver of the Week: Ford McLiney, Texas A&M
· Competed in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events, placing second in both in his team's competition against LSU on Saturday.
· Tallied a score of 329.55 on the 1-meter and a score of 389.48 on the 3-meter.
Female Swimmer of the Week: Elizabeth Beisel, Florida
· Delivered a pair of top-10 times nationally in the 500 freestyle (4:37.04) and the 200 butterfly (1:54.60).
· The two-time Olympic medalist missed breaking the NCAA “A” standard by .03 in the 500 free and by .11 in the 200 fly.
· Beisel now ranks in the top-10 nationally in six events and in the top-five nationally in four events.
· With a diverse array of season-best times that rank in the top-10, Beisel has the potential to swim in the top heats of six events at the NCAA Championships.
Female Diver of the Week: Lauren Ready, Missouri
· Swept both springboard events and set a new school record in Mizzou's triple dual against No. 11 Indiana, Illinois and Iowa on Jan. 18.
· Took first on the 1-meter with a 342.55 points, a tally that set a new school record and bested her previous career-best by 31 points.
· Also earned the win on the 3-meter after a score of 328.95.
Female Freshman of the Week: Kara Kopcso, LSU
· Swept both butterfly events and broke the LSU program record in a loss to second-ranked Texas A&M.
· Defeated the defending NCAA Champion and USA Olympic member Camille Adams in the 200 butterfly. Adams also has the fastest 200-butterfly time in the country this year.
· Her time of 1:56.12 is an NCAA “B” standard cut and faster than last year's NCAA Championship invited time.
· The freshman additionally took first in the 100 butterfly with a mark of 53.38.
· It's her seventh and eighth wins on the year, which leads the Lady Tigers.