GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly swimming & diving awards for November 2-8. Marcus Walker of St. Cloud State and Rowan Schmidt of Northern Michigan received the swimming awards, while Grand Valley State claimed both diving awards, as Vlad Balkin and Kiya Bowman were honored.
MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Marcus Walker, St. Cloud State
Marcus Walker helped the St. Cloud State Men’s Swim & Dive team beat D-I St. Thomas, 182-117, in dual competition on Saturday, Nov. 7. Walker finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke (54.89) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:00.38), and fifth in the 200-yard IM (1:56.66). He also swam the second leg of 200-yard medley relay that finished first (1:28.33)
WOMEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Rowan Schmidt, Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan University freshman Rowan Schmidt had one of the best weekends at the Hard Hat Invite on the campus of Wayne State, as Schmidt guided the #11 Wildcats to a great finish against #8 Findlay, #17 Wayne State, and Lake Superior State. As an individual, Schmidt earned three first-place finishes over two meets. The Oregon City, Oregon, native claimed gold with a 57.00 in the 100 back, a 2:05.30 in the 200 back, and a 58.50 in the 100 fly. Schmidt also swam the fly leg as a member of the second-place 400 medley relay team, was a member of both the 200 and 400 free relay teams, and finished 10th as an individual in the 200 free. On the season, Schmidt holds the top 100 back time in the GLIAC at 55.62, and the fifth-best 200 back (2:03.37) and 100 fly (57.27) times in the conference.
MEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Vlad Balkin, Grand Valley State
Freshman Vlad Balkin continued his dominance on the boards, earning another GLIAC Male Diver of the Week honor following a sweep of both diving events against the University of Indianapolis. Balkin secured first place at one meter (559.30) before completing the sweep with another first-place finish at three meters (324.55).
WOMEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Kiya Bowman, Grand Valley State
Kiya Bowman added another accolade to her season, earning GLIAC Female Diver of the Week honors for the second time. Bowman delivered a pair of first-place finishes, taking the top spot at three meters (284.30) and one meter (430.85).
