DENVER — Northern Colorado’s Gina Riggle and New Mexico State’s Audrey Ruiz have been named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively, for October 28-November 3.
Riggle, a senior from Eaton, Colo. (Eaton HS), won all four breaststroke events in a pair of dual meets over the weekend. Against New Mexico, she won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:04.88 and the 200 breaststroke in 2:22.85. She then improved both times the next day against New Mexico State with a 1:03.65 and 2:21.41, respectively. Her time in the 100 breaststroke is the fastest in the WAC this season while her 200 time is the third fastest. Riggle was also a member of the 200 free relay that won against New Mexico State in a time of 1:38.86.
Ruiz, a sophomore from Lubbock, Texas (Coronado HS), swept both diving events in a 170-128 dual meet victory over Northern Colorado on Saturday. Ruiz won the 3-meter board with a career-high score of 253.87. She won the 1-meter with a score of 264.37. Both scores are the fifth best in the WAC this season.
Other swimmers nominated: Bakersfield freshman Paola Hernandez; New Mexico State sophomore Dorottya Lennert; North Dakota junior Erin Grabanski; Northern Arizona junior Alexis Juergens; and Seattle U freshman Blaise Wittenauer-Lee.
Other divers nominated: Bakersfield freshman Carlee Burks; North Dakota senior Rachael Waldbillig; and Northern Arizona sophomore Chelsea Jackson.