Gators Crippen and Elliott Grab SEC Weekly Honors
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Two University of Florida swimmers earned Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Week honors for their performances this past weekend against Georgia. The credits, announced by the league Tuesday, went to swimmers Teresa Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa.) for SEC Female Swimmer of the Week and Matt Elliott (Peoria, Ill.) for SEC Male Freshman of the Week. The announcement marks the second time that Elliott has nabbed the Freshman of the Week title since his NCAA debut in October.
Crippen earned the first SEC Swimmer of the Week nod of her career after she led the Gators with three individual victories against the Bulldogs. The U.S. National Team member claimed the 200 fly (2:14.79), 200 back (2:16.85) and 400 IM (4:50.28), with each of her long course performances turning in Olympic Trial qualifying marks. The Florida senior holds the fastest time of the SEC, and fourth fastest in the country in the 200 fly with a time of 1:58.54.
Elliott received his second honor of the season and young career after he swept both breast events finishing the 100- and 200-meter in 1:04.59 and 2:18.01, respectively, and claimed second in the 400-meter IM, touching the wall in 4:27.94. The freshman matched Crippen with three times that met requirements for the Olympic Trials, and was the lone freshman to post trial qualifying marks and claim a first-place finish in the meet against Georgia.
The Illinois native leads the SEC in the 200 breast with his performance against the Bulldogs, while also claiming a conference top time in the 400 IM (3:50.96). He is the lone freshman in the SEC to hold a top time in more than one event on the season. His fastest time in the 200 breast ranks second nationally, while his 400 IM (3:50.96) turnaround currently leads all swimmers in the NCAA.
Both Crippen and Elliott will take to the pool with the rest of the Gators tomorrow afternoon to take on in-state rival Florida State at 5 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. For the latest in Florida swimming and diving, fans are encouraged to follow the program on Twitter and Facebook.
