DENVER - New Mexico State's Kelly Conrad and Fresno State's Hannah Prigge have been named the Verizon WAC Swimmer and Diver of the week, respectively, for Jan. 17-23. This is the first time either athlete has earned the award this season.
Conrad, a senior from Lake Stevens, Wash. (Lake Stevens HS), led New Mexico State to a pair of road wins at Northern Colorado and Colorado State last weekend. Conrad's performances helped lift New Mexico State to victory over Northern Colorado. She swam the anchor leg of the winning 200-medley relay (48.14), and also claimed victory in the 50-yard freestyle race with a time of 24.69. Conrad went on to wrap up the 132-108 victory for the Aggies by swimming the leadoff leg for the winning 200-free relay team (1:36.29). Her two individual wins against Colorado State helped propel the Aggies to their first-ever victory over the Rams in 14 dual meets. Conrad claimed the top spot in the 100-yard freestyle, recording a season-best time of 51.98 seconds in the event, and in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:53.71. The Aggies won the meet by a score of 156.5-143.5.
Prigge, a freshman from Rocklin, Calif. (Whitney HS), swept both diving events at the Valley Invitational, hosted by the Bulldogs on Jan. 21-22 in Fresno, Calif. Prigge set season highs in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Her score of 269.70 netted her the top spot on the 1-meter, leaving the second-place competitor 32 points behind her. Prigge also recorded a career best in her victory in the 3-meter, claiming the title with a score of 283.75. It was the first time Prigge had won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events in the same meet.
Other swimmers nominated: Rachel Heaney, Boise State; Dani Yoho, Fresno State; Shana Lim, Idaho
Other divers nominated: Ciera Cortney, Boise State; Paige Hunt, Idaho; Carly Smith, New Mexico State