Kieran Smith, Brooks Curry Share SEC Swimmer of the Week Honors
Florida’s Kieran Smith and Brooks Curry of LSU shared the latest SEC Swimmer of the Week honors, announced Tuesday.
Curry’s teammate Juan Celaya Hernandez is again the Men’s Diver of the Week, complemented by fellow Tiger Chiara Pellacani on the women’s side. Sophie Sorenson gives Kentucky two women’s swimmers of the week in as many weeks. Tennessee swept the Freshman of the Week nods via Ellen Walshe and Jordan Crooks.
Smith won three races in Florida’s dual-meet win over Auburn. The senior won the 200 free in 1:32.96 and the 500 free 4:18.16. He split 43.74 off the 400 free relay to lead the Gators to a win. It’s Smith’s second SEC Swimmer of the Week honor this season.
Curry lowered his home pool record in the 50 free to 19.42 seconds in a loss to Texas A&M. He also won the 100 free in 43.76 seconds and was part of the Tigers’ winning 400 free (split of 42.39) and 200 medley relays (freestyle split of 18.96).
Celaya Hernandez dominated Texas A&M for his fifth Diver of the Week recognition of the season. He swept the 1-meter and 3-meter titles for the fifth time this season, the Mexican Olympian scoring 388.95 and 447.15 points in those events, respectively.
Crooks won the 50 free and 100 free for the Volunteers in a dual meet with Georgia. The Cayman Islands native was even faster in 43.35 to lead off the 400 free relay, which finished second. He anchored the runner-up 200 medley relay in 19.44. It’s his third Freshman of the Week nod.
Sorenson set a Louisville pool record in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:52.11. the senior also won the 200 individual medley (1:57.77) and was second in the 100 back in the battle of the Bluegrass State. Sorenson’s teammate Riley Gaines won the women’s SEC Swimmer of the Week award last week.
Pellacani made her LSU debut a memorable one. The freshman from Italy posted the top scores in 1-meter (315.45) and 3-meter (350.70) in a dual meet with Texas A&M.
Walsh won the 100 fly (52.91) and 200 IM (1:57.47) to lead the Volunteers past Georgia and earn her second weekly award of the season (she was the women’s SEC Swimmer of the Week on Nov. 23). The Irish Olympian also split a 50.99 off the winning Tennessee 400 free relay and swam fly on a second-place 200 medley relay.