Competing in its second tri-meet in as many weekends, Rutgers swimming and diving competes against Cincinnati and Virginia Tech this Friday and Saturday in Christiansburg, Virginia. Friday’s session begins at 5 p.m. ET, withSaturday’s portion starting at 10 a.m.
Walkowiak Named Big Ten Diver of the Week
Junior Addison Walkowiak was named Big Ten Diver of the Week, it was announced Wednesday by the conference. Walkowiak contributed first-place and NCAA Zone qualifying scores in both 1-meter and 3-meter events during the Scarlet Knights’ tri-meet with Penn State and Yale Jan. 13-14 in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Against Penn State and Yale on Friday, Walkowiak finished first in the 3-meter dive with a NCAA Zone qualifying score of 336.65. Walkowiak just missed eclipsing her season-best mark of 337.45 produced on Nov. 4 against Georgetown, Seton Hall and Villanova. On Saturday, Walkowiak contributed a first-place and NCAA Zone qualifying tally of 308.30 in the 1-meter dive to cap her impressive weekend.
This is Walkowiak’s first weekly honor of the season and sixth of her career. The Ballston Spa, New York, native secured two weekly conference accolades last year as a sophomore and added three rookie of the week awards in 2014. This also marks the second Big Ten Athlete of the Week award this season for the Scarlet Knights, as sophomore Vera Koprivova collected swimmer of the week plaudits on Nov. 23.
Last Time Out
Competing for the first time since returning from its winter training trip, RU fell to the Nittany Lions, 204-148, and the Bulldogs, 255-98.
Rutgers had a pair of individual second-place finishers in the pool during the two-day event. Senior Rachel Stoddard and sophomore Francesca Stoppa each hit the wall second in the 100 breaststroke and 200 butterfly, respectively.
In addition to Walkowiak’s standout performance off the boards, senior Alyssa Black placed second in the 3-meter dive with a score of 321.50 and third in the 1-meter dive at 295.20. Both results were NCAA Zone qualifying marks. Sophomore Rachel Byrne also produced a NCAA Zone mark of 287.50 in the 3-meter event.
The Scarlet Knights finished second in both the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relays last weekend. Koprivova, Stoddard, Stoppa and freshman Clare Lawlor recorded a time of 3:49.08 in the 400 medley relay, while Lawlor, senior Meghan Kiely and rookies Meghan Moses and Alexandra Fabugais-Inaba had a result of 3:29.54 in the 400 freestyle relay.
Familiar Setting
This will mark the second time RU’s divers will compete at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center this season, as they participated in the H20kie Fall Invitational Nov. 17-19 at the facility.
Walkowiak produced a first-place score of 303.20 in the 1-meter dive and finished third in the platform dive with a mark of 241.35 during the invite. With her score 330.30 in the 3-meter preliminary session, Walkowiak left the H20kie Fall Invite with three NCAA Zone marks.
The Zone Diving Championships will also be held in Christiansburg this season, as the divers will compete at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center March 6-8.
Scouting Cincinnati
In their last time out, the Bearcats finished second in their home quad meet with Kenyon, Oakland and Ohio State Jan. 13-14 at the Keating Aquatics Center. Cincinnati finished ahead of Kenyon and Oakland in the event.
Jacqueline Keire was named American Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Week after she collected first-place finishes in the 100 freestyle (49.33) and 200 freestyle (1:50.53). Her result in the 100 freestyle was a facility record and a NCAA B standard.
Cincinnati is led by third-year head coach Mandy Commons-DiSalle.
Scouting Virginia Tech
The Hokies enter the tri-meet ranked tied for 23rd in the latest CSCAA poll. In its last time out, Virginia Tech fell to No. 4 Virginia, 225-123, in Charlottesville, Virginia Jan. 13-14.
Klaudia Nazieblo collected wins in the 100 backstroke (54.68) and the 400 IM (4:16.59) and also contributed to a 3:25.40 time in the 400 freestyle relay for the Hokies.
Ashlynn Peters was named Atlantic Coast Conference Diver of the Week after she claimed a personal best score of 349.27 in the 3-meter dive and a season high 311.48 in the 1-meter dive.
Virginia Tech is led by long-time head coach Ned Skinner.
Next Time Out
Rutgers returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 28 for senior day against Richmond at the RU Aquatics Center. The dual meet is set for a 10 a.m. start.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers swimming & diving, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSwimDive) and on Instagram (ruswimdive). The team is also on Facebook (facebook.com/RUSwimDive).