Courtesy: Missouri State Athletics
ST. LOUIS – Missouri State swimmer Caitlyn Friebe was named Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week, the league announced Wednesday morning.
Friebe had another strong showing in the early part of the season against high-level competition at the Purdue Invitational. She opened the three-day event by setting what was a personal best in the 50-yard free prelims (23.56), only to beat it again in the final with a 23.17, good for the second-fastest MVC best for a different swimmer this season on the first day of the invitational. She also played a part in Missouri State’s third-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay. She closed the meet on Saturday with a personal best in the 200-yard backstroke (2:00.64) in the B final.
The award marks Friebe’s second Freshman of the Week recognition this season and the second straight in weeks that Missouri State has competed. The Springfield native also won MVC Freshman of the Week on November 8 following her performance against Arkansas where she earned her first collegiate individual win in an event when she won the 100-yard backstroke.
Friebe has won two of the Bears’ three weekly awards this season, including both Freshman of the Week nods. Senior Lily DeSpain also won MVC Swimmer of the Week on November 8 as well.
Missouri State swimming & diving returns to Hammons Student Center on Saturday, December 2 for a dual meet against the University of Missouri starting at 11:00 a.m. CT. The meet will be watched on ESPN+.