Oct. 27, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio – Sophomore Chris Gunnels (Chapel Hill, N.C.) was named Mid-American Conference Men’s Swimmer of the Week for the first time in his career. He is Miami’s first Swimmer of the Week in the 2009-10 season.

MAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week

Chris Gunnels – Miami

Sophomore- Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill High School)

Miami sophomore Chris Gunnels enjoyed a perfect day against Xavier on Saturday, placing first in all three events he entered. In the meet’s first event, Gunnels led off the 400-yard medley relay, a race the RedHawks won (3:30.14). Gunnels sprinted to victory (51.30) in the 100-yard backstroke. Those two races represented two of his top four backs ever. Finally, in the 100 freestyle, he triumphed in a solid effort (46.53). Miami defeated Xavier by a score of 143.5-115.5, with Gunnels personally accounting for 29 points.

Additional Nominees

Senior Nicolas Villaroel notched a first place finish against Western Illinois and two second-place finishes against Iowa on Oct. 24.  Villarroel placed first in his only race against Western Illinois in the 100 backstroke (52.92).  He also finished second against Iowa in the 100 backstroke (50.24) and the 200 backstroke (1:51.36).

Brandon Long, Evansville - Sophomore, Jackson, Tenn.
After taking a 12-day hiatus from competition, Evansville sophomore Brandon Long returned to the pool with strong performances for the Aces against Eastern Illinois on Saturday. In his first event, Long placed first in the 1000 freestyle (10:26.10) and then took third in the 500 freestyle (5:05.50).

Jared Heine, Buffalo, Sophomore, Corry, Pa.
Heine took second in two individual events in the win over Duquesne last Friday, earning second in the 200 freestyle (1:44.85) and 100 freestyle (47.42). Prior to the final event, the Bulls and the Dukes were tied 110-110. Heine was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay (3:07.69) that secured the 123-114 win for the Bulls.

Previous Men’s Swimmers of the Week

Oct. 21: Roko Simunic – Missouri State

MAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week

Jordan Deren – Buffalo

Junior - Lackawanna, N.Y.

Deren won two individual events in Buffalo’s win over Duquesne, taking first in the 1000 freestyle (10:28.05) as well as the 500 freestyle (5:05.04). Deren was also a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay (3:34.64), as the Bulls beat the Dukes 137.5-75.5.

Additional Nominees:

Megan Brunn, Miami - Junior, Mansfield, Ohio (Mansfield High School)

In individual competitions against Purdue (Oct. 23) and Louisville (Oct. 24), the RedHawk swimmer placed first twice, second twice and third once. In the meet vs. Purdue, she won the 200 IM (2:08.02) and placed second in the 200 breaststroke (2:08.2), just 46/100ths of a second behind teammate and defending MAC champion Kelsey Vehr. Against nationally ranked Louisville, Brunn won the 200 IM (2:10.85), placed second in the 200 breaststroke(2:21.94), and finished third in the 100 breaststroke. Miami lost to Big Ten power Purdue on Friday and to nationally ranked Louisville on Saturday.

Laura Lindsay, Toledo - Sophomore, Uniontown, Ohio

Lindsay starred for Toledo as the Rockets split a double dual meet with Michigan and the University of Toronto on Friday. Lindsay claimed the Rockets' first victory as she finished first in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.90). Later, she out-touched Michigan's Julia Andracki in the 200 breaststroke (2:19.51), winning by one-tenth of a second. Her time in the 100 is less than a second away from an NCAA 'B' qualifying time. Lindsay also competed on Toledo’s 200 medley relay team that took second (1:44.30).

Previous Women’s Swimmers of the Week

Women’s

Oct. 21: Ashley Cusack – Toledo