PCSC Athletes of the Week: Nov. 23
The Pacific Coast Swim Conference has announced the PCSC Swimmer & Divers for the week of November 16-23. This week seven athletes amongst all four levels received recognition, coming from Azusa Pacific, Concordia, Pepperdine, The Master's, UC Santa Cruz, and Westmont.
MEN
NCAA DII Swimmer
Kyle Benjamin -- Concordia
Benjamin led Concordia to a first place finish at the La Verne Winter Invite. At the meet, the senior broke a school record in the 100 IM, while earning three NCAA "B" qualifying times in the 500 Free, 400 IM, and 1650 Free. In his relay events, he was part of three PCSC leading times for the 400 Medley (52.00), 400 Free (46.70), and 800 Free (1:42.50). Benjamin currently ranks first in four events in the PCSC. This is Benjamin's seventh weekly honor and the fifth for Concordia this season.
NCAA DIII Swimmer
John Madden -- UC Santa Cruz
Madden and the Banana Slugs finished second at the La Verne Winter Invite, taking top ten finishes in four events. He finished third in the 500 Free, fourth in the 400 IM, sixth in the 200 IM, and seventh in the 200 Fly. All four finishes were the best amongst UCSC swimmers this season and rank top ten in its program history. Madden also swam in the prelim 200 Back, finishing with a top four program time, which currently ranks the best in the PCSC. This is Madden's first weekly honor and one of six for UC Santa Cruz this season.
NCAA DIII Diver
Joel Akey -- UC Santa Cruz
Akey was the top men's diver at the La Verne Winter Invite, placing first in both events his participated in. The sophomore was first of four in the 1M (187.40) and 3M (185.80). This is Akey's first weekly honor and one of six for UC Santa Cruz this season.
NAIA Swimmer
JT Sears -- The Master's
Sears broke multiple school records over the weekend for The Master's University. In the 800 Free Relay, he was part of the squad that achieved the school's first NAIA National cut time, that currently ranks second in the nation. Sears swam provisional times and personal bests in the 200 Free (1:43.67), 500 Free (4:48.18), and 200 Fly (1:57.84). This is Sear's first weekly honor and the first for The Master's this season.
WOMEN
NCAA DI Swimmer
Kara Coughlin -- Pepperdine
Coughlin was a top performer for Pepperdine at the Trailblazer Invite. In the 200 Back (2:03.47), she set a season-best time which is also the top time in the PCSC. Participating in the 200 Medley Relay, Coughlin swam a split time of 27.29, also a PCSC best. This is Coughlin's first weekly honor and the fourth of five for Pepperdine this season.
NCAA DI Diver
Lexie Martin -- Pepperdine
Martin finished in the top five in two events at the Trailblazer Invite. The freshman scored second in the 3M (212.80) and fourth in the 1M (216.20), leading the way for the Waves. Martin currently sits in the top five for both events in the PCSC. This is Martin's second weekly honor and the one of five for Pepperdine this season.
NCAA DII Swimmer
Montana White -- Azusa Pacific
At the La Verne Winter Invite, White had three podium finishes to lead Azusa Pacific. The freshman won the 200 Free (1:49.96), placed second in the 500 Free (4:56.99) and 100 Free (50.94). White was also the lead off in the 200 Free Relay (23.94). Her first three events rank her first in the PCSC currently, and in all four events she achieved NCAA "B" qualifying times. This is White's second weekly honor and one of five for Azusa Pacific this season.
NCAA DII Diver
Melia Stout -- Azusa Pacific
Stout won the 1M event at the La Verne Winter Invite, as one of 17 participants. Her score of 276.70 surpassed the NCAA National qualification. Stout also participated in the 3M event where she finished second with a score of 256.05. This is Stout's fifth weekly honor and the one of five for Azusa Pacific this season.
NCAA DIII Swimmer
Maddy Gruender -- UC Santa Cruz
Gruender guided her team to a fifth place finish at the La Verne Winter Invite. She set school records in the 500 Free (5:00.32) and 200 Free (1:51.76), and NCAA "B" qualifying times. In her relay events for the 200 Free and 500 Free, she also broke school records. This is Gruender's second weekly honor and one of six for UC Santa Cruz this season.
NAIA Swimmer
Morgan Bienias -- Westmont
Bienias set three school records at the La Verne Winter Invite for Westmont. She broke school records in the 200 Back, 200 Free,1650 Free, and was part of the 800 Free Relay that achieved the automatic qualifying standard for NAIA Nationals. Her three individual event finishes put her well below the NAIA provisional standard for NAIA Nationals. Bienias currently ranks in the NAIA top ten for five events, including three top three times. This is Bienias' fourth weekly honor and the third for Westmont 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.
