Feb. 6, 2008

The Big 12 has announced the Swimmers and Divers of the Week for meets from Jan. 21-Feb. 4. The University of Texas swept the men's side with Michael Klueh (swim) and Matt Cooper (dive) winning this week's accolades, while Julia Wilkinson (Texas A&M) and Mary Yarrison (Texas) were honored on the women's side. The winners were chosen by vote of the league's head swimming and diving coaches.

Men's Swimmer of the Week
Michael Klueh, Texas, Jr., Evansville, Ind.
Klueh earned three victories in the Longhorn's 200.5-152.5 loss at No. 2 Arizona. The junior defeated the nation's top-ranked 500 freestyler, Arizona's Jean Basson, by over five seconds with a NCAA "B" cut time of 4:24.420. The Evansville, Ind., native also claimed the 1,650-yard freestyle in a NCAA "B" cut mark of 15:12.08, outdistancing his nearest competitor by over 17 seconds. Klueh's time of 3:52.32 in the 400 IM also earned him first place honors. This is the fifth career weekly award for the junior.

Men's Diver of the Week
Matt Cooper, Texas, Fr., Bethesda, Md.
Cooper claimed the one-meter (363.37) and took second in the three-meter event (330.90) at No. 2 Arizona. The freshman won the one-meter by more than 40 points. With the award, Cooper becomes the first freshman diver in Big 12 history to receive weekly accolades four times in one season.

Women's Swimmer of the Week
Julia Wilkinson, Texas A&M, Jr., Stratford, Ont.
Wilkinson tallied six victories in the Aggies' dual wins over Houston and No. 17 Texas. The junior took first place honors in the 200 Medley Relay (1:43.77) and 100 Breaststroke (1:04.37) in A&M's 145-96 defeat of the Cougars. Against the Longhorns, Wilkinson won the 100 back (54.67), 100 free (49.73), and 200 individual medley (2:02.85), posting NCAA consideration times in all three events. Her split of 54.62 leading off the 400 medley relay helped push the group to an NCAA consideration time of 3:42.03 as well. This is Wilkinson's fifth career weekly honor.

Women's Diver of the Week
Mary Yarrison, Texas, Sr., Springfield, Va.
Yarrison captured the three-meter (332.40) and came in second in the one-meter (314.10) against No. 6 Texas A&M. This is the second award of the season and fifth career honor for the senior from Springfield, Va.

Men's Honors October     Martin Cernansky, Missouri -- Swimmer     Dante Jones, Missouri -- Diver November 8     Dave Walters, Texas -- Swimmer     Matt Cooper, Texas -- Diver November 28     Bryan Difford, Missouri -- Swimmer     Greg DeStephen, Missouri -- Diver December 12     Michael Klueh, Texas -- Swimmer     Matt Cooper, Texas -- Diver January 23     Ricky Berens, Texas -- Swimmer     Matt Cooper, Texas -- Diver February 6     Michael Klueh, Texas -- Swimmer     Matt Cooper, Texas -- Diver

Women's Honors October     Triin Aljand, Texas A&M -- Swimmer     Kendra Melnychuk, Missouri -- Diver November 8     Maria Mayrovich, Kansas -- Swimmer     Kendra Melnychuk, Missouri -- Diver November 28     Julia Wilkinson, Texas A&M -- Swimmer     Kendra Melnychuk, Missouri -- Diver     Courtney Jolly, Nebraska -- Diver December 12     Hee-Jin Chang, Texas -- Swimmer     Mary Yarrison, Texas -- Diver January 23     Susana Escobar, Texas -- Swimmer     Kathryn Kelly, Texas -- Diver February 6     Julia Wilkinson, Texas A&M -- Swimmer     Mary Yarrison, Texas -- Diver