Wallace and Dressel Named SEC Athletes of the Week
Tuesday, November 25, 2014 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Senior Dan Wallace and freshman Caeleb Dressel of the University of Florida men's swimming and diving team were named the Southeastern Conference's Male Swimmer of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday (Nov. 25) by the conference office.
Both men were instrumental in helping UF place first at the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational last weekend (Nov. 20-22) at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Ga. Wallace claimed one NCAA 'A' time and four NCAA 'B' marks over the course of the three-day Invite, winning the 500-yard freestyle (4:14.53) and 400-yard individual medley (3:44.12). In addition, Wallace finished fourth in the 1,650-yard freestyle (15:16.42) and fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:00.07). He also contributed to a wins on the 400-yard freestyle (2:53.11) and the 800-yard freestyle (6:24.27) relay teams.
Among the national ranks, Wallace is first in the 500-yard freestyle, second in the 400-yard IM and 11th in the 200-yard breaststroke. The weekly honor from the SEC is the fifth of his career (three-time SEC Freshman of the Week, now two-time SEC Swimmer of the Week) and his first this season.
Dressel had an impressive weekend as well, winning the 50-yard (19.79) and 100-yard (42.91) freestyle races and the 100-yard butterfly (46.60). He also placed first in the B-final of the 100-yard breaststroke in 54.39 seconds. Each time was an NCAA 'B' standard mark, except his time in the 50 free, which was an NCAA 'A' mark. In addition, Dressel swam legs on four winning relay teams -- the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:18.90), 200-yard medley relay (1:26.03), 400-yard freestyle relay (2:53.21) and 400-yard medley relay (3:09.55).
His time in the 100-yard butterfly is top mark in the country, while Dressel's times in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard individual medley are currently the second fastest in the nation.
Wallace and Dressel are the second pair of UF swimmers to collect SEC weekly honors this season, following juniors Jessica Thielmann (Female Swimmer of the Week), Kahlia Warner (Female Diver of the Week) and Dressel (Male Freshman of the Week) back on Oct. 14.
The Gators will sit idle this weekend but will be back in action in two weeks, as a select group of individuals will travel to Greensboro, N.C. for the U.S. Nationals from Dec. 4-6.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
GatorZone.com
Twitter
Facebook
