MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
For Immediate Release-Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
MAC Men's Swimmer of the Week
Nicolas Villarroel - Missouri State
Senior - Caracas, Venezuela
Villarroel placed first in three events and broke records against defending NCAA Division II Champion Drury University. Villarroel swam the backstroke leg of the 400-yard medley relay and achieved a time of 49.00 in his stretch, a new pool record at Hammons Student Center. Thanks to Villarroel's quick start, the Bears finished the relay in 3:22.37, also a pool record in the event. Villarroel also placed first in the 200-yard backstroke (1:49.44) and helped the 400-yard freestyle relay team to a first place finish (3:07.52).
Additional Nominees
Dave Brown, Miami - Senior, Lake Orion, Mich. (Lake Orion High School)
Brown earned three victories over the weekend for the RedHawks. Brown won the 50-yard freestyle, was a member of the winning 800-yard freestyle relay team, finished second as a member of the 400-yard medley relay team and was fourth in the 100-yard freestyle Friday against national power Purdue. He helped the RedHawks score 26 of the team's total 95 points. On Saturday in a double dual meet he was first in the 50 freestyle against Notre Dame and second in the event against Cleveland State. He was also second against Cleveland State in the 100 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. Against Notre Dame he was second in the 200 medley relay and third in the 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay. He totaled 18 points out of Miami's 67.5 against Notre Dame and 16 out of the team's 117 against Cleveland State.
Matt Parsons, Southern Illinois - Sophomore, Brisbane, Australia
In the Salukis' 140-90 win over Washington (Mo.), Parsons recorded two individual first-place finishes in the 200 freestyle (1:41.76) and the 500 freestyle (4:40.54). He was also a member of the first-place 200 medley relay team (1:36.00).
Alex Seward, Evansville - Freshman, San Antonio, Texas
Halfway through his freshman year, Seward has made huge waves for the Aces. On Sunday at the IUPUI Invite against IUPUI and Xavier, Seward helped lead Evansville to a 187-89 win over IUPUI with top finishes in the 100 fly (51.36), 200 fly (1:56.81) and 200 medley relay (1:37.74). The Texas native also took second in the 100 free (47.95). Seward has now recorded six individual first-place finishes for the Aces this season.
Andy Balczo, Evansville - Junior, Evansville, Ind.
Junior Andy Balczo had a career day at the IUPUI Invite on Sunday for Evansville. Balczo took first in the 1-meter boards with a score of 303.80 that qualified him for Zone. Balczo also posted third in the 3 meter with a score of 267.30 to help the Aces with a 187-89 win over IUPUI before falling to Xavier.
Previous Men's Swimmers of the Week
Oct. 21: Roko Simunic - Missouri State
Oct. 27: Chris Gunnels - Miami