The University of Florida swimming and diving team earned three SEC Athlete of the Week honors for its performances Oct. 11 vs. Virginia. The accolades, announced by the league Tuesday for the first time this season, went to senior swimmer Conor Dwyer (Winnetka, Ill.), senior diver Monica Dodson (Franklin, Ind.) and freshman swimmer Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.).
Dwyer was named the SEC Male Swimmer of the Week for the first time in his career. The senior captain notched victories in the 100 (44.58) and 200-yard freestyle (1:36.53) and 200-yard individual medley (1:49.97) against the Cavaliers, and currently holds the fastest times in the nation in all three events. The 2010-11 U.S. National Team member scored a meet-high 31 points against Virginia, while swimming a NCAA provisional mark in the 200 free. The reigning 2010 NCAA and SEC Male Swimmer of the Year is the first Gator to win the weekly award since former Gator and 27-time All-American Shaune Fraser (George Town, Cayman Islands) won it on Jan. 20, 2009.
The lone senior on the women’s swimming and diving squad, Dodson was named the SEC Female Diver of the Week for the first time in her career. The Franklin, Ind., native set the school record in the women’s three-meter diving competition against Virginia with a score of 362.11, while also placing first in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 296.93. Dodson has yet to lose on the three-meter boards this season, while winning three of the four events she has competed in so far during the 2010-11 campaign.
Picking up SEC Female Swimmer of the Week honors was Beisel, who won two events against Virginia and secured NCAA cuts in all four events she swam in. Behind Beisel’s female-best 26 points, the Gator women edged Virginia, 150-148, marking the team’s closest dual-meet finish since a 150-149 win over UCLA during the 1997-98 season. The 2008 Olympian and 2010-11 U.S. National Team member has won 10 events total already this season, while recording NCAA provisional marks in seven different events. Beisel becomes the first Gator freshman to be named SEC Female Swimmer of the Week since current junior All-American Jemma Lowe (Hartlepool, England) earned the honor on Feb. 3, 2009.
The Gators return to the pool for their SEC opener on Friday, Oct. 29, when they travel to SEC rival Georgia. Meet time is scheduled for 11 a.m. Gator fans are also encouraged to follow the swimming and diving program via Twitter or Facebook.
FLORIDA’S SEC WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
MEN
Oct. 12 – Conor Dwyer, Swimming: SEC Male Swimmer of the Week
WOMEN
Oct. 12 – Elizabeth Beisel, Swimming: SEC Female Swimmer of the Week
Oct. 12 – Monica Dodson, Diving: SEC Female Diver of the Week
