Men’s Swimmer of the Week
Minki Kang, Missouri State
Freshman / Little Rock, Arkansas
Event & Time:
at Drury
1. 1000 Free / 9:16.20
2. 500 Free / 4:31.20
vs. No. 13 Mizzou
1. 1000 Free / 9:18.40
1. 500 Free / 4:34.92
Missouri State freshman Minki Kang earned three first-place finishes, with two coming against a nationally-ranked team, during a three-day span in duals versus Drury and No. 13 Missouri. In the Bears’ ‘Duel in the Pool’ at Drury’s Breech Pool, Kang made his first appearance by placing first in the 1000-yard freestyle in a personal-best time of 9 minutes, 16.2 seconds. Kang topped a field of seven swimmers by more than 10 seconds. He also competed in the 500 free and raced neck-and-neck with fellow MSU swimmer Ethan Bresette, but Kang eventually finished runner-up by just .11 seconds by touching the wall in 4:31.20. The Little Rock, Arkansas, native continued his success against the Southeastern Conference member Missouri Tigers. Opening in the 1000 free, Kang took first in the event for the second time over the weekend with a 9:18.40 finish. He fell short of the Hammons Student Center pool record by less than half a second and also beat two other Tigers swimmers by more than 18 seconds. Kang wrapped up his efforts versus No. 13 Missouri with a first-place showing among eight swimmers in the 500 free by finishing in a time of 4:34.92.
Other Nominees:
Austin Green, Ball State
Junior / Peru, Indiana
Event & Time:
2. 50 Free / 21.47
4. 100 Free / 47.25
5. 400 Free Relay / 3:12.53
5. 200 Medley Relay / 1:38.08
Junior Austin Green led the Cardinals by earning the highest Ball State finish of the day with placing second in the 50 freestyle in a 21.47 final. The time was a new season-best for the Peru, Ind. native, and Green was also the highest finish for Ball State in the 100 freestyle (47.25) and 400 freestyle relay (3:12.53) events.
Andrew Henry, Eastern Michigan
Senior / Garner, North Carolina
Event & Time:
1. 200 IM / 1:50.59
1. 100 Free / 45.15
1. 200 Free Relay / 1:25.06
Senior Andrew Henry led the Eagles in a 155-67 senior day win over Wayne State University, Jan. 22. Henry opened his day with a season-best in the 200 Individual Medley, on his way to claiming his to the win. In fact, Henry’s time of 1:50.59 was the fastest race by an Eagle in the event this season. The Garner, N.C. product added a win in the 100 Free before anchoring the Green and White’s 200 Free Relay team to a first place finish.
Till Pallmann, Southern Illinois
Senior / Zweibrucken, Germany
Event & Time:
1. 100 Free / 45.75
1. 200 Free / 1:39.32
1. 200 IM / 1:53.03
In his final meet before the MAC Championships, senior Till Pallmann finished with three first place finishes at the Butler Invitational on Sunday. Pallmann’s first swim of the day was the 200-yard freestyle relay where he finished in 1:39.32 for first place and 20 point for the Salukis. He continued to find success in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing in 45.75. Pallmann went on to earn yet another first-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley, posting a 1:53.03 finish. In total, Pallmann tallied 60 points for the Salukis, contributing to the team’s fourth place finish overall.
Swimming news courtesy of MAC.