DENVER - CSU Bakersfield's Lovre Soric and Grand Canyon's Nick Benson have been named Western Athletic Conference Men's Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively, for Jan. 1-Jan. 7.
Soric, a senior from Zagreb, Croatia, placed first in both individual events he competed in as well as helped his relay team to a second place finish this past weekend facing UC San Diego. Collegeswimming.com ranked both of his individual times as the top two swims of the meet. Soric finished the 200 free with a time of 1:41.64 and the 200 individual medley in 1:51.67. He later swam as the anchor in the 200 medley relay to help his team post a time of 1:32.96.
Benson, a sophomore from Maple Grove, Minn., placed second in both events he competed in this past weekend to help his team defeat California Baptist 162.50-136.50. On the one-meter dive, he posted a score of 275.50 then later on scored a 277.50 on the three-meter diving event.
Other swimmer nominees: Grand Canyon's Mark Nikolaev finished first in three individual events and one relay event, including 100 back (47.65), 200 back (1:50.03), 200 individual medley (1:52.90) and 200 medley relay (1:28.85)… Seattle U's Mitchell Crossen won two individual events posting times of 1:43.94 in the 200 free and 46.97 in the 100 free, while finishing second in the 50 free with a time of 21.82 before helping his relay team finish first in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:13.64… Wyoming's Jack Herron swam pool records in the 200 fly (1:53.34) and the 500 free (4:42.52).
Other diving nominee: CSU Bakersfield's Adam Estrella finished second in both the one-meter event with a score of 232.05 and the three-meter event with a season-best mark of 262.42.