DENVER - CSU Bakersfield's Paola Hernandez and Carlee Burks have been named Western Athletic Conference Women's Swimmer and Diver of the week, respectively, for Oct. 17-23.
Hernandez, a senior from Lompoc, Calif., swam in six different events at the Malibu Invitational, winning all of them. She won the 200 back with a personal best time of 2:04.43, less than a second outside of CSUB's all-time Top 5 in the event. She also took first of 43 student-athletes in the 50 back (26.97) before winning the 100 free (52.17). Hernandez won the 100 IM (58.84) and guided CSUB's relay team to a victory in the 300 free. Perhaps her biggest feat of the weekend was winning the 400 IM with a time of 4:33.01, the fifth-fastest in CSUB history, in her first time competing the event. Her times in the 200 back and 400 IM rank second in the WAC, while her 100 free time ranks third.
Burks, a senior from Bakersfield, Calif., won her only event at the Malibu Invitational by 17.50 points. Her score in the 3-meter was 269.90, giving her first place out of eight competitors. This is her second WAC Athlete of the Week honor in a row.
Other swimmer nominees: Grand Canyon's Alyssa Christianson won the 200 breast, 200 fly and 400 free relay against UTPB … North Dakota's Katie Breault won the 500 free, 400 IM and 200 free against Northern Colorado and South Dakota.
Other diver nominees: Grand Canyon's Menna El Midany won both the 1-meter (251.45) and 3-meter (253.35) against UTPB ... Ari Brace of North Dakota won the 1-meter (240.90) against Northern Colorado and South Dakota.