Blue Devils Sweep NEC Swimming and Diving Awards on Tuesday

The Central Connecticut swimming and diving team posted a fifth place finish at the Frank Elm Invitational at Rutgers over the weekend, and on Tuesday the Northeast Conference rewarded three Blue Devils for their performances.  Central swept the weekly awardsas junior Maddy Garber,freshman Valentina Gomez and junior Annemarie Durham were all honored for the second time this season.

Garber's first place showing in the 200 breaststroke was her first NCAA 'B' Cut time this fall and her time of 2:14.55 was also the fastest in the NEC this season by nearly five seconds. The junior swam the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.19 for a third-place finish, and posted an ever better time (1:02.57) in the prelims, both the quickest in the conference this season.

Garber's time of 2:06.95 in the 200 individual medley was second-best in the league. Garber also swam legs in the 200 and medley relays. Her time of 1:01.56 in the 100 breaststroke leg of the 400 medley relay was the second fastest in the event. 

Gomez picked up her second NEC Rookie of the Week honor after a terrific weekend. The Virginia native finished eighth in the 500 freestyle after completing the race in 5:00.23. Her 500 freestyle preliminary time of 4:58.19 was the fastest in the NEC this year, and her finals time was the second-fastest. Gomez also completed the 1650 freestyle in 17:19.52 and the 200 butterfly in 2:06.46. Both times were the second fastest in the NEC this fall.

Durham won her second NEC Diver of the Week award as she finished first in the 3-meter dive on Friday night at the Frank Elm Invitational, earning a score of 271.70 to establish a new school record by nearly seven points. The junior also scored 254.85 in the 1-meter dive, good for fourth place.