Galloway and Kemp named SEC Athletes of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ¯ For the second week in a row, the Auburn swimming and diving team has had a member earn Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Week honors as the Tigers sweep the award for Jan. 15 with James Galloway and Heather Kemp claiming the spots.

Galloway, a native of Montgomery, Texas, helped lead the No. 3 Auburn men's team to a 145-98 victory over defending national champion and No. 2-ranked Texas in Austin. He won both the 1000 and the 500 freestyle events during the meet recording a season-best time in the 1000.

The junior also picked up a win in the 1650 free with his best time of 2001-02 against No. 19 Texas A&M while pushing Auburn to a 164-124 victory over the Aggies. This is Galloway's second SEC Athlete of the Week award as he won once in 2000-01.

"Since arriving at Auburn there have been very few practices that someone has worked harder than James," head coach David Marsh said. "He has continually improved his technique and should continue to improve at the highest level. The challenge for James now is to stay at that higher level at the big meets."

"James has showed a lot of maturity now in his junior year," distance coach Ralph Crocker said. "He is better at being ready to race and getting up for the moment. He has always been a great trainer, but the biggest thing is that now his racing is just as hard as his training."

Sophomore Heather Kemp had a solid meet for the No. 3 Tigers against SEC foe Tennessee and No. 16 Northwestern to earn the award as she picked up wins in the 200 and 1650 free events which, were both her season-best times. Kemp finished second in the 100 free and helped lead the Auburn 400 free relay team to a top finish. The Hemet, Calif., native has been a reason the Auburn women have jumped out to a 6-0 record on the season.

"We are obviously excited for Heather winning this award," associate head women's coach Kim Brackin said. "This is inspirational to the team because of all the hard work she has shown this year. It is a great confidence booster for Heather, as it should be. She is very deserving and is making progress to have the best swims of her life."

"Heather is really coming into her own," Marsh said. "She was a part of the freshman class that propelled the team last year and this year, as a sophomore, is emerging as a truly great swimmer for our program."

This marks the first time that Auburn has earned both the men's and women's award in the same week. On Jan. 8, freshman diver Matt Bricker was named the SEC male Athlete of the Week.

Galloway and Kemp will be back in action Jan. 25 when the team travels to Florida for Auburn's final dual meet of the season.

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