Feb. 9, 2010

Center Valley, Pa. - With the regular season winding down and the Patriot League Championships just around the corner, most schools were idle over the past week. In addition to the limited schedule, the Mid-Atlantic snowstorm wreaked havoc on what few events were scheduled. Navy's men's meet at Princeton was canceled, as was Lehigh's dual at Penn State. Neither will be rescheduled.

With that in mind, only two awards were handed out this week, and the Midshipmen swept both as they were the only ones in action. Erik Hunter took home the Male Swimmer of the Week award, while Ben Nicholas claimed his second straight Male Diver of the Week nod.

Patriot League Swimming and Diving Release - 2.9.10

Male Swimmer of the Week

Erik Hunter, Navy Jr., Placerville, Calif.

Hunter took first place in both the 400- and 800-meter freestyle events, notching times of 4:01.10 and 8:16.97, respectively, in Navy's 158-131 win against Columbia on Friday. His victory in the 400 free was by nearly four seconds, and he took first in the 800 free by nine ticks. It was Hunter's fourth win of the season in the 400 free and his ninth in 12 tries in the 800.

Female Swimmer of the Week

No Nominations This Week

Male Diver of the Week

Ben Nicholas, Navy So., Bothell, Wash.

Nicholas notched his second straight diver of the week award and fourth overall this season after winning the three-meter event against Columbia while finishing second in the one meter. He scored a 339.15 from the three-meter board, 12.12 points clear of second place, and a 286.20 in the one-meter event, just 3.75 points out of first. The victory was his third of the year from the three-meter board and his sixth overall this season.

Female Diver of the Week

No Nominations This Week

Honorable Mention Performances Last Week

None

Patriot League Notebook

Snowed Out
The Mid-Atlantic snowstorm forced the cancellation of what few swimming events remained on most schools' regular season schedules. Navy's men's team was able to host Columbia on Friday, but their meet Saturday at Princeton was cancelled because of the storm. Lehigh's dual meet at Penn State was also a casualty. All other League schools were off in anticipation of the Patriot League Championships at Navy from Feb. 18-20.

Navy Men, Colgate Women Selected to Repeat
The Navy men's and the Colgate women's swimming and diving teams were unanimously selected to repeat as the Patriot League Champions in the 2009-10 League Preseason Poll, announced on Oct. 6. Both teams collected 14 of 16 first-place votes as the coaches and sports information directors are not permitted to vote for their own school. In the men's poll, Navy collected 98 points. Army was second with two first-place votes and 80 points, followed by Bucknell (78 points), Colgate (57) and Lehigh (53). Lafayette was sixth with 41 points and American (27) and Holy Cross (14) rounded out the poll. Colgate also earned 98 points to take the top spot, followed by Navy (86). Bucknell finished third in the voting with 74 points, while Army (59) and Lehigh (42) rounded out the top five. American (39) edged out Lafayette (36) for sixth place, and Holy Cross (14) was selected to finish eighth. The Navy men's team will be searching for its seventh straight League title -- and seventh overall -- while the Colgate women will look for their third straight.

Team Notebooks

American The Eagles did not compete last week and will return to the pool at Navy for the Patriot League Championships.

Army The Black Knights were idle until the Patriot League Championships.

Bucknell The Bison already concluded their regular season and are next in action at the Patriot League Championships.

Colgate The Raiders were off after wrapping up the regular season last weekend with the tri meet against Army and Lafayette. The Patriot League Championships are next.

Holy Cross The women were idle while the men traveled to Chestnut Hill, Mass. and lost to Boston College. Both squads are off until the Patriot League Championships.

Lafayette The Leopards are finished with regular season competition and await the Patriot League Championships.

Lehigh Because of the snowstorm, the Mountain Hawks' matchup at Penn State was cancelled. Lehigh now prepares for the Patriot League Championships.

Navy The women wrapped up competition last week, but the men had one final meet, a 158-131 victory over Columbia. Adam Meyer picked up wins in the 200-meter fly and 200-meter breast events, while Mac Anthony and Erik Hunter were also double winners. Saturday's men's meet at Princeton was cancelled because of snow. The Mids are next in action at the Patriot League Championships in their home pool at Lejeune Hall.