MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
For Immediate Release-Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010
MAC Men's Swimmer of the Week
Justin Griggs, Eastern Michigan - Junior, Cheltenham, Australia
Junior Justin Griggs won four and placed second in another in leading the Eastern Michigan to two dual meet wins, including a victory over Ball State that gave the Eagles 52 consecutive MAC dual meet wins. Against Wayne State, Griggs won the 100 fly and swam the second-fastest split for the first place finishing 200 medley relay team. He finished second in the 50 free as well and his time of 20.94 was good for second-best in the MAC this season. In the win over BSU, Griggs recorded the sixth-fastest time in the MAC in both the 100 free and 100 back with times of 46.64 and 51.07, respectively.
Additional Nominees:
Josh Meints, Buffalo - Freshman, Oakley, Calif. (Freedom High School)
Freshman Josh Meints was a perfect three-for-three in individual events in Buffalo's second-ever win over Miami last Saturday. The win gave the Bulls their first winning MAC record since the 1999-2000 season. Meints won the 100 breaststroke (58.79), 200 breaststroke (2:08.43) and the 200 IM (1:55.45) and swam the breaststroke leg of the first-place 200 medley relay (1:33.71), all of which were season-best times. In Buffalo's win over Binghamton last Monday, Meints picked up first-place finishes in the 200 IM and 200 breaststroke, making him five-for-five in individual races for the week.
Aaron Henry, Missouri State - Freshman, Lincoln, Neb.
Freshman Aaron Henry was part of a Missouri State team that swam three meets in three days. The highlight of his weekend came in the 500-yard freestyle at the Lindenwood Quad on Jan. 23, where Henry turned in a time of 4:48.41. Over the weekend, he also competed in the 200-yard backstroke (1:56.20), 100-yard backstroke (53.79), was a member of the 200-yard medley relay that came in at 1:38.11 and also competed in the 200-yard freestyle relay that touched the wall at 1:31.31.
Ben Battjes, Ball State - Senior, Elkhart, Ind. (Elkhart Memorial High School)
Senior Ben Battjes helped guide the Cardinals to a pair of victories Sunday by earning first place in both the 50 freestyle (21.23) and the 100 freestyle (47.80), while placing third in the 100 butterfly (53.70). Battjes also swam the leadoff leg for the 400 freestyle relay which posted a time of 3:09.51. On Saturday at Eastern Michigan, Battjes won the 50 freestyle in 21.58, while swimming the first leg of the first-place 400 freestyle relay which posted a time of 1:25.91. He also placed fourth in the 100 freestyle (48.31) at Eastern Michigan.
Previous Men's Swimmers of the Week
Oct. 21: Roko Simunic - Missouri State
Oct. 27: Chris Gunnels - Miami
Nov. 3: Nicolas Villaroel- Missouri State
Nov. 10: Niklas Gustafsson - Missouri State
Nov. 18: Jacob Hanson - Eastern Michigan
Nov. 24: Ben Battjes - Ball State
Dec. 8: Chris Krupa - Ball State
Dec. 15: Adam Dale - Ball State
Jan. 12: Ben Battjes - Ball State
Jan. 19: Mike Carroll - Miami
Jan. 26: Justin Griggs - Eastern Michigan