Press Release courtesy of SEC
Male Swimmer of the Week
Jay Litherland • Georgia
Senior • Alpharetta, Ga.
Litherland was Georgia’s top competitor during a third-place team effort in the UGA Fall Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium. He recorded NCAA provisional qualifying times in five individual events. Litherland came in second in the 400 individual medley in 3:39.96, the second-fastest time in the country this year. He was second in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:16.03, which ranks 11th in the nation this year. Litherland placed seventh in the 200 backstroke in 1:43.10 and eighth in the 200 individual medley in 1:45.34. He also came in third on the 400 medley relay (3:07.94), fourth on the 800 freestyle relay (6:25.32) and seventh on the 400 freestyle relay (2:55.15). Litherland led off the 800 freestyle relay in a season-best 1:35.61.
Male Diver of the Week
Colin Zeng • Tennessee
Junior • Fujian, China
Zeng swept all three diving events as his squad won the Tennessee Invitational. He scored a season-best 422.55 in the 1-meter, and posted a final score of 308.40 in the 3-meter. Zeng’s platform score of 460.20 was a school record, breaking the oldest UT men’s diving record (Gabi Chereches, 2001, 458.95).
Male Freshman of the Week
Camden Murphy • Georgia
Novi, Mich.
Murphy was Georgia’s top freshman during a third-place team effort in the UGA Fall Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium. He placed third in the 200 butterfly in 1:41.74, which ranks fourth all-time in the UGA record book and eighth nationally this year. Murphy came in fourth in the 100 butterfly in 46.07, a time stands fourth all-time in the UGA record book. He also came in 13th in the 100 freestyle in 43.88. Murphy posted NCAA provisional qualifying times in three individual events. He placed fifth on the 200 freestyle relay (1:19.03), fifth on the 800 freestyle relay (6:28.40) and seventh on the 400 freestyle relay (2:55.15).
Female Swimmer of the Week
Erika Brown • Tennessee
Sophomore • Louisville, Ky.
Brown set school records in three individual events as the Lady Vols took the top spot at the Tennessee Invitational. She won the 100 fly with a time of 50.33, the fastest time in the nation. Brown placed second in the 50 free with a time of 21.50, the third best time in the nation. She also took second in the 100 free with a time of 47.54, the fifth best time in the nation. Brown recorded NCAA A-cut times in the 50 free and 100 fly, and posted NCAA B-cut in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back and 200 free.
Female Diver of the Week
Rachel Rubadue • Tennessee
Junior • Columbus, Ohio
Rubadue won all three diving competitions to help the Lady Vols earn a first-place finish at the Tennessee Invitational. She took the top spot in the 1-meter with a final score of 276.50. Rubadue scored a season-best 322.80 on the 3-meter, and posted her first win this season on the platform with a score of 280.15.
Female Freshman of the Week
Courtney Harnish • Georgia
York, Pa.
Harnish was Georgia’s top freshman during a second-place team effort in the UGA Fall Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium. She placed second in the 500 freestyle in 4:35.69, which ranks fourth in the nation this season and sixth in the UGA record book. Harnish came in second in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:44.47 (12th nationally) and 12th in the 200 backstroke in 1:56.71, both B cuts. She took 12th in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:59.47. Harnish came in third on the 800 freestyle relay (7:00.93), fourth on the 400 freestyle relay (3:15.05) and eighth on the 400 medley (3:39.05).
Was not Auburn’s Hugo Gonzalez named Co-Male Swimmer of the Week? He had a huge weekend of swimming at the Georgia Invitational.