Big 12 Conference Awards: West Virginia’s Emily Haimes, Austin Smith Honored

West Virginia redshirt senior Austin Smith and freshman Emily Haimes of the West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have earned Big 12 Conference swimming and diving bi-weekly awards, as announced by the conference on Wednesday.

Smith was named the Big 12 Conference Men’s Diver of the Week, while Haimes collected the Big 12 Conference Women’s Swimmer of the Week honor. The award is the first of Smith’s career and the second career honor for Haimes. She was previously collected the accolade earlier this season on Oct. 16.

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“Emily has done a great job so far this season, and she can only go up from here,” WVU coach Vic Riggs said. “I’m happy for her to be recognized by the conference for her efforts.”

“I’m very proud and happy for Austin,” WVU diving coach Michael Grapner said. “He has been working so hard to get back to his prime, and this award is an indication that his dedication is paying off.”

Smith earned his first collegiate victory on 1-meter springboard at TCU on Saturday, Jan.18, to win the bi-weekly award. The Fishers, Indiana, native tallied a score of 296.77 to collect the victory. He also finished third on 3-meter with a score of 305.32. The men also competed at SMU on Friday, Jan. 17, where Smith earned fourth place on 1-meter (276.90) and fifth place on 3-meter (305.32).

Haimes collected three victories, including one solo win, in the Mountaineers’ Big 12 Conference dual at TCU on Saturday. Her solo victory came in the 100-yard freestyle, where she touched the wall in 52.02 to take the top spot. The Enfield, London, native also helped the 200 and 400 free relay teams earn victories, swimming the leadoff position in each relay.

WVU’s men’s team earned two victories last weekend, topping SMU by a score of 182-117, before earning the squad’s first Big 12 win over TCU, 176-65. The women’s team also topped the Horned Frogs, 165-88, on the way to its first dual-meet and Big 12 Conference victory of the season.

The Mountaineer men are off this week, but the women’s team returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 25, for a Big 12 Conference dual meet against Iowa State. The meet is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park in Morgantown.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with West Virginia Athletics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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