Niesen, Townsend Named Swimmers of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS -- Milwaukee’s Sam Neisen (Middleton, Wis.) and Sierra Townsend (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) are the Horizon League Men’s and Women’s Swimmers of the Week for Nov. 6-11.

It is the first weekly honor of the season for either swimmer, but the second straight week that Milwaukee has swept the awards. Both Neisen and Townsend placed first in four respective events at the Border Battle meet last Friday.

Niesen beat no fewer than 10 competitors in four races and also finished second in the 200 Backstroke. The senior won the 200 IM (1:58.50), beating 26 opponents and first in the 100 Backstroke (53.23), beating 10, while also helping the Panthers take first in the 400 Free relay (3:07.29) and 400 Medley relay (3:31.13).

On the women’s side, Townsend took first in the 50 Freestyle (24.74), beating out 48 opponents. The sophomore also helped the Panthers win the 200 Free relay (1:38.49), the 400 Free relay (3:35.89) and the 400 Medley relay (3:46.30). Additionally, Townsend took second in the 100 Butterfly and helped the 200 Medley relay team to a second-place finish.

The Milwaukee men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams won’t return to the pool until the Iowa Hawkeye Invitiational Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

2012-13 Horizon League Men’s Swimmers of the Week
Oct. 8-14            Gonzalo Castro Diaz, Valparaiso
Oct. 15-21          A.J. Shillito, Cleveland State
Oct. 22-28          Robert Miner, Green Bay
Oct. 29-Nov. 4    Nic Halverson, Milwaukee
Nov. 5-11           Sam Neisen, Milwaukee

2012-13 Horizon League Women’s Swimmers of the Week

Oct. 8-14            Emily McClellan, Milwaukee
Oct. 15-21          Joanna Olsson, Cleveland State
Oct. 22-28          Kendra Rottier, Green Bay
Oct. 29-Nov. 4    Becky Yokosh, Milwaukee
Nov. 5-11           Seirra Townsend, Milwaukee