GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After an impressive weekend at the 2010 Georgia Tech Fall Invitational in Atlanta, Ga., the University of Florida swimming and diving team earned both men’s and women’s Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Week honors, announced by the league Tuesday. Senior Conor Dwyer (Winnetka, Ill.) won the award on the men’s side for the third time in his career, while Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) became the first female freshman in SEC history to win the award for the third time. The accolades mark the first time in school history UF has had three-time SEC Swimmer of the Week winners on both the men’s and women’s side in the same season.
Dwyer swam three NCAA-leading times this past weekend, totaling seven NCAA “B” cuts and winning five of the nine events he competed in. The 2010 NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year swam the fastest time in the country in the 400-yard individual medley with a blistering personal-best 3:45.21, the ninth-fastest time in school history. In the 200 IM, the Winnetka, Ill., native swam a 2010-11 NCAA-best 1:45.52, tying Eric Donnelly’s 2002 mark for 10th-quickest in school history.
In relay competition, the 2010-11 U.S. National Team member helped lead the Orange and Blue to the nation’s fastest time in the 800-yard freestyle relay (6:31.74), while assisting in Florida’s SEC-leading 2:57.58 mark in the 400 free relay, the fourth-fastest time in the country this year. In individual freestyle competition, Dwyer clocked 1:36.16 in the 200 free, the second-best SEC time this season and fifth-fastest in the country. Additionally, his mark in the 100 free (44.27) was the second-quickest in the SEC this season.
Beisel, who became the first Gator to automatically qualify for the 2011 NCAA Championships with her performance in the 400 IM, had one of the most complete all-around meets by a SEC swimmer this season. The freshman registered NCAA qualifying times and top-five finishes in each of the seven events she swam in. The North Kingstown, R.I. native’s time of 4:06.84 in the 400 IM was the second-fastest in school history. Beisel’s first-place time of 1:54.40 in the 200-yard backstroke was just behind her personal best, but still faster than any other SEC swimmer this season.
In relay competition, the 2010-11 U.S. National Team member competed on UF’s 800 free relay women’s squad, guiding the quartet of Gators to a 7:11.99, the second-quickest time in the NCAA this season. Beisel also helped swim UF to season-best times in the 400 free relay and the 400-yard medley relay, while swimming a personal-best 4:43.30 in the 500 free, the second-quickest mark in the SEC this season.
The Gators jump back into the pool today at 5 p.m., when the Orange and Blue travel to rival Florida State for the final dual meet of the fall season. Fans are encouraged to follow the swimming and diving program on Twitter or Facebook.
FLORIDA’S NATIONAL & SEC WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
MEN
Oct. 12 – Conor Dwyer, Swimming: SEC Male Swimmer of the Week
Nov. 2 – Conor Dwyer, Swimming: SEC Male Swimmer of the Week
Nov. 3 – Conor Dwyer, Swimming: National Collegiate Male Swimmer of the Week
Nov. 23 – 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
Nov. 2 – Elizabeth Beisel, Swimming: SEC Female Freshman of the Week
Nov. 9 – Elizabeth Beisel, Swimming: SEC Female Swimmer of the Week
Nov. 10 – Elizabeth Beisel, Swimming: National Collegiate Female Swimmer of the Week
Nov. 23 – Elizabeth Beisel, Swimming: SEC Female Swimmer of the Week
