PCSC Athletes of the Week: Feb. 24
The Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference announced its Athletes of the Week for the week of Feb. 15-21 on Wednesday. LMU secured an honoree on the women's side with Taylor Pajunen earning her first career PCSC weekly honors. Jake DeSantis from Arizona Christian has earned the award for the men.
WOMEN
Swimmer
Taylor Pajunen, LMU: The senior Pajunen, had a big day on Saturday winning both the 100 and 200 butterfly at LMU, helping to lead the Lions to an upset victory over Pepperdine University (147-105) and Westmont College (197-57). In the 200, Pajunen staged a come-from-behind touch to take the race in 2:13.14. This was not only the first 200 fly for Pajunen since last February's PCSC Championships, it was also the last 200 fly that she would race in the Burns Recreation Center pool as she celebrated her "Senior" day with four LMU teammates. Pajunen's 200 time ranks second in the PCSC this year (only .02 behind first) and is less than 2.5 seconds from her PR 'suited' time done at the 2020 PCSC Championship. Pajunen returned later in the day to also take the 100 fly in 1:02.15. This is Pajunen's first weekly honors of her career.
MEN
Swimmer
Jake DeSantis, Arizona Christian: The freshman had a phenomenal performance for the ACU program, setting seven school records at the GSAC Championships. Three of his records were individual performances that both earned times to qualify for the NAIA cut and secured first place in each event. DeSantis broke the school record in 100 Back with a time of 52.63 followed by a 1:57.09 record in the 200 Back, and then swimming a 2:07.44 time in the 200 IM. The final four records DeSantis recorded were in the relay events along with his other Firestorm teammates. This is the DeSantis' first weekly honors and the first for Arizona Christian this season.
The PCSC includes institutions from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). All three divisions of the NCAA are represented. Each week, the PCSC coaches nominate and vote on the Athletes of the Week in seven categories: NCAA Division I women, Division II men and women, Division III men and women and NAIA men and women. You can find the Athlete of the Week archive here.
