Illinois Swimming & Diving

100 Back Prelims:

11 - Sophia Paduano (55.89)
19 - Sophia Szymanski (56.38)
21 - Isabella Wilhelm (56.49)
23 - Sophia Yousuf (56.68)
26 - Molly Yetter (56.72)
27 - Alexis Wendel (56.73)

#Illini | #HTTO | #BuildTheHouse https://t.co/enCrORDYto

100 Breaststroke Prelims:

5 - Kayla Duran (1:01.13)
8 - Chloe Diner (1:01.89)
17 - Stephanie Kirova (1:03.60)
18 - Sara Jass (1:03.68)
27 - Jane Umhofer (1:04.86)
36 - Kylee Sessions (1:06.60)

#Illini | #HTTO | #BuildTheHouse https://t.co/jda9DPrEKB

200 Free Prelims:

🥉Sydney Stoll (1:48.49)
15 - Maggie Adler (1:50.72)
21 - Liv Dorshorst (1:51.59)
27 - Kylee Sessions (1:52.43)
32 - Taylor Judas (1:53.38)
33 - Sophia Paduano (1:53.40)
37 - Gianna Cappello (1:54.80)
42 - Paloma Canos Cervera (1:55.52)

#Illini | #HTTO https://t.co/1VmJoTWXX9

Iowa Swim & Dive

She did it!!🏆🤩

Olivia Swalley ties 1st all-time at Iowa in the 400 IM with a time of 4:12.34.

#Hawkeyes https://t.co/not2yA4BwQ

Purdue Women's Swim-Dive

100 Back Prelims at #PurdueInvite

A Finalists - Boilers have 5 of 8
Abby Marcukaitis 53.70 - Won Heat 2
Hannah Hill 54.90
Abbie Kehmeier 55.09
Keira Kask 55.12
Ana Rojas 55.26

B Finalists
Ripley Merritt 55.63
Sophia Capp 55.95
Kelsey Cooper 56.75

C Finalist
Mya Bailey 57.27 https://t.co/CinGDpfw2j

400 IM Prelims:

6 - Chloe Diner (4:19.23)
9 - Sara Jass (4:20.16)
17 - Adelaide Reaser (4:24.37)
29 - Kalina Nikolaeva (4:28.92)
31 - Kennedy Rainwater (4:29.22)
36 - Sophia Yousuf (4:31.71)

#Illini | #HTTO | #BuildTheHouse https://t.co/ULc1J5linR

Penn State Swimming & Diving

A top-three finish for Cooper Morley! 🥉

Morley won third place in the 100 Back prelims with a time of 46.08, just 0.02 seconds behind the second-place finisher! 🙌

#WEARE https://t.co/RhPsonBPSu

SHE JUST CAN'T STOP 💥

Margaret Markvardt recorded ANOTHER personal best in the 100 Back with a time of 52.81 good for sixth place (Prev.: 53.82) 👏

#WEARE https://t.co/GNELyolUBL

100 Breast Prelims at #PurdueInvite 

A Finalists
Masy Folcik 1:00.96 - B Cut, Won Heat 4
Sophia Capp, 1:02.22 - 14th in Team History

B Finalists
Mahala Erlandson 1:03.07
Maddie Phillips 1:03.63
Meghan Sharma 1:03.72

C Finalists
Maggie Love 1:03.73
Kate Stanley 1:03.90 https://t.co/AJIV7ZekCU

UCLA Swimming and Diving

Second B cut of the morning for Emma!

She finishes fifth in the 100 back prelims in 52.73 to advance to the 'A' final!

#GoBruins | #SomethingsBruin https://t.co/YVAm9yMN6X

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Sofia Bartoloni, Rutgers&nbsp; So. – Ostia, Italy – ITCG Paolo Toscanelli – Major: Criminal Justice&nbsp;<ul><li>Captured two top 10 school performances in winning both breaststroke events against Princeton in the fifth annual Battle for the Cannon Trophy&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Bartoloni hit the wall in 1:02.29 in the 100 breaststroke, knocking .71 seconds off her previous personal best to capture the 10th fastest time in Rutgers’ program history&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>She followed with a time of 2:14.84 in the 200 breaststroke, remaining eighth on Rutgers’ all-time list and taking .26 seconds off her top time&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Rutgers Swimmer of the Week: Rachel Kimmel (Nov. 16, 2022)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Diver of the Week&nbsp; Holly Prasanto, Rutgers&nbsp; Sr. - Sheffield, England – Silverdale School – Major: Psychology &amp; Cognitive Science&nbsp;<ul><li>Set the fifth-highest score in Rutgers’ program history with a second-place finish on the 3-meter with a 338.03, a career-best for the senior&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Finished second on 1-meter with a 297.53&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Rutgers Diver of the Week: Abigail Knapton (Nov. 3, 2021)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;  &nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Bailee Sturgill, Rutgers&nbsp; Noblesville, Ind. – Calvert Academy – Major: Undeclared&nbsp;<ul><li>Placed her name eighth all-time at Rutgers on 1-meter, taking third with a zone score and career-best of 297.30&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>On the 3-meter, Sturgill placed fourth with a score of 316.43&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Rutgers Freshman of the Week: Elysha Pribadi (Jan. 24, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp; Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., IOWA&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, MINN&nbsp; Oct. 16&nbsp; S: Hannah Hill, Sr., PUR&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Oct. 23&nbsp; S: Phoebe Bacon, Gr., WIS&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Mila Nikanorov, OSU&nbsp; Oct. 30&nbsp; S: Gena Jorgenson, Jr., NEB&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Nov. 6&nbsp; S: Hailey Tierney, So., WIS&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Maggie Wanezek, WIS&nbsp; Nov. 13&nbsp; S: Minna Abraham, So., USC&nbsp; D: Lena Hentschel, Jr., OSU&nbsp; F: Mila Nikakorov, OSU&nbsp; Nov. 20&nbsp; S: Sofia Bartoloni, So., RU&nbsp; D: Holly Prasanto, Sr., RU&nbsp; F: Bailee Sturgill, RU&nbsp;

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Big Ten Conference

Rutgers Sweeps Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Minna Abraham, USC&nbsp; So. – Budapest, Hungary – BME ISGS – Major: Business Administration&nbsp;<ul><li>Competing against Arizona, Abraham won two individual events and helped USC to a first-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>In the 200-yard freestyle, Abraham clocked the fastest time in the country so far this season, posting a 1:42.01 for an NCAA Automatic bid&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Abraham also won the 100-yard freestyle in 47.96, the third fastest time in the country this season&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Competing in the 100-yard butterfly, Abraham touched second in a personal best time of 53.17&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Abraham is the first USC swimmer to be named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week &nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Diver of the Week&nbsp; Lena Hentschel, Ohio State&nbsp; Jr. - Berlin, Germany – Sportgymnasium Dresden –&nbsp;Major: International Studies&nbsp;<ul><li>Helped the Buckeyes to a win over Penn State&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Was the winner of the 3-meter dive with a score of 349.43 and placed second on the 1-meter with a score of 291.53. Both are NCAA Zone qualifying scores&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Ohio State Diver of the Week: Paola Pineda Vazquez (Nov. 6, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;  &nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Mila Nikanorov, Ohio State&nbsp; Castle Rock, Colo. – Castle View High School – Major: Finance&nbsp;<ul><li>Helped Ohio State to a win over Penn State&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Set a program record in the 1000 free, placing first with a time of 9:30.49. It tops the previous record set in 2020 by over one second&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Won the 500 free with an NCAA B standard time of 4:42.73&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Mila Nikanorov (Oct. 23, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp; Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., IOWA&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, MINN&nbsp; Oct. 16&nbsp; S: Hannah Hill, Sr., PUR&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Oct. 23&nbsp; S: Phoebe Bacon, Gr., WIS&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Mila Nikanorov, OSU&nbsp; Oct. 30&nbsp; S: Gena Jorgenson, Jr., NEB&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Nov. 6&nbsp; S: Hailey Tierney, So., WIS&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Maggie Wanezek, WIS&nbsp; Nov. 13&nbsp; S: Minna Abraham, So., USC&nbsp; D: Lena Hentschel, Jr., OSU&nbsp; F: Mila Nikakorov, OSU&nbsp;

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USC and Ohio State Claim Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Hailey Tierney, Wisconsin&nbsp;So. – Pewaukee, Wis. – Harland Arrowhead – Major: Undecided&nbsp;<ul><li>Helped lead the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers to a clean sweep over No. 23 Minnesota at a dual meet on Friday &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Tierney clinched four first place finishes, highlighted by a record breaking 200 medley relay win, securing an NCAA A cut for the team and a new school record. Tierney was the anchor leg in that relay&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Earned three NCAA B cuts and first place finishes in the 50 free, 100 free and 400 free relay &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Wisconsin Swimmer of the Week: Phoebe Bacon (Oct. 23, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>Diver of the Week&nbsp;Paola Pineda Vazquez, Ohio State&nbsp;Gr. - Veracruz, Mexico – Major: Sports Coaching&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Won both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives against Virginia Tech &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Scored a 337.95 on the 1-meter and a 356.70 on the 3-meter, both are NCAA Zone qualifying scores&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Earns her second consecutive Diver of the Week accolade&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Ohio State Diver of the Week: Paola Pineda Vazquez (Oct. 30, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Maggie Wanezek, Wisconsin&nbsp;Elm Grove, Wis. – Brookfield East– Major: Psychology&nbsp;<ul><li>Backstroke leg in the 200 medley relay that broke the school record and earned an NCAA A cut with a time of 1:35.60&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Finished in first place in the 100 backstroke, earning an NCAA B cut and .3 seconds off of an A cut with a time of 50.96&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>First place in the 200 backstroke, earning an NCAA B cut with a time of 1:51.75&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Third leg in the 400-freestyle relay that earned an NCAA B cut with a time of 3:14.75&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Wisconsin Freshman of the Week: Hailey Tierney (Nov. 8, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp; Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., IOWA&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, MINN&nbsp; Oct. 16&nbsp;S: Hannah Hill, Sr., PUR&nbsp;D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Oct. 23&nbsp; S: Phoebe Bacon, Gr., WIS&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Mila Nikanorov, OSU&nbsp; Oct. 30&nbsp;S: Gena Jorgenson, Jr., NEB&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Nov. 6&nbsp; S: Hailey Tierney, So., WIS&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Maggie Wanezek, WIS&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Wisconsin and Ohio State Earn Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Gena Jorgenson, Nebraska&nbsp; Jr. – Aberdeen, S.D. – Aberdeen Central – Major: Biological Sciences&nbsp;<ul><li>Fueled an impressive 202-94 Nebraska win over Iowa State at the Devaney Natatorium on Oct. 25, earning three individual victories and adding a leg in a relay win for the Huskers, finishing with a meet-high 27 points &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Posted a 16:48.14 to win the 1,650 free by more than 32 seconds&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Added a victory in the 500 free (4:59.39) before racing to her third win in the 200 backstroke (2:02.65)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Wrapped the day swimming a leg of Nebraska’s winning 400 free relay &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Through three competitions this season, Jorgenson has won all nine titles in her individual events including the 1,650 (1) and 1,000 freestyles (2), the 500 free (3) and the 200 back (3) against Minnesota/South Dakota, Iowa and Iowa State&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Nebraska Swimmer of the Week: Gena Jorgenson (Dec. 6, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>Diver of the Week&nbsp; Paola Pineda Vazquez, Ohio State&nbsp; Gr. - Veracruz, Mexico – Major: Sports Coaching&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Won both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives in the Buckeyes’ win over Denison&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Scored a 339.30 on the 1-meter and a 341.10 on the 3-meter, both are NCAA Zone qualifying scores &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Ohio State Diver of the Week: Janie Boyle (Nov. 15, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Chloe Diner, Illinois &nbsp; Aurora, Ill. – Oswego East – Major: Undeclared&nbsp;<ul><li>Won three races at the House of Paign Invite with three top-10 program marks &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Posted the program’s fourth-fastest time in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.25), the program’s 10th-fastest 100 butterfly (55.40), the program’s seventh-fastest 50 breaststroke (29.39) &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Also won the 200 breaststroke (2:17.57)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Her 100 breaststroke time (1:02.25) is the sixth fastest in the Big Ten &nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Chloe Diner (Oct. 16, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp;Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., IOWA&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, MINN&nbsp; Oct. 16&nbsp; S: Hannah Hill, Sr., PUR&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp; Oct. 23&nbsp; S: Phoebe Bacon, Gr., WIS&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., MINN&nbsp; F: Mila Nikanorov, OSU&nbsp; Oct. 30&nbsp; S: Gena Jorgenson, Jr., NEB&nbsp; D: Paola Pineda Vazquez, Gr. OSU&nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, ILL&nbsp;

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Nebraska, Ohio State and Illinois Earn Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week Phoebe Bacon, Wisconsin&nbsp; Gr. – Chevy Chase, Md. – Stone Ridge School of Sacred Heart – Major: Health Promotion&nbsp;<ul><li>Secured first place finishes and NCAA B cut times in three of her four races this weekend in a triangular meet against Michigan and Notre Dame&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Finished with a time of 1:55.61 in the 200 backstroke, 1:58.50 in the 200 IM and 1:57.37 in the 200 butterfly&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Bacon was less than a half a second off the cut time in her second-place finish in the 100 butterfly, finishing with a time of 53.64&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Wisconsin Swimmer of the Week: Phoebe Bacon (Jan. 10, 2024)</li></ul>&nbsp;Diver of the Week&nbsp; Elna Widerstrom, Minnesota&nbsp; So. - Lund, Sweden – SK Poseidon&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Placed first in both the 1- and 3-meter dives vs. South Dakota State and St. Thomas&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Posted a 1-meter scored of 306.10 and a 3-meter score of 354.65&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Minnesota Diver of the Week: Elna Widerstrom (Oct. 16, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Freshman of the Week Mila Nikanorov, Ohio State&nbsp; Castle Rock, Colo. – Castle View High School – Major: Finance&nbsp;<ul><li>Won both distance events in a double dual meet against Kentucky and Akron&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Won the 1000 free with a time of 9:42.80 and was the winner of the 500 free with a time of 4:50.18&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Bella Fisco (Feb. 21, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp; Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., Iowa&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, Minnesota&nbsp; Oct. 16&nbsp; S: Hannah Hill, Sr., Purdue&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., Minnesota &nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, Illinois&nbsp;&nbsp; Oct. 23&nbsp; S: Phoebe Bacon, Gr., Wisconsin&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., Minnesota&nbsp; F: Mila Nikanorov, Ohio State &nbsp;

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Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio State Earn Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Hannah Hill, Purdue&nbsp; Sr. – Springboro, Ohio – Springboro – Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology &nbsp;<ul><li>With a time of 22.32, Hill eclipsed a Purdue record in the 50 free that had stood since the 2013 Big Ten Championships on the leadoff leg of the victorious 200 free relay. Hill's time ranks sixth nationally and best in the Big Ten through Oct. 13&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>At the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate, Hill won the 50 free (23.11), won her heat in the 100 back (55.80)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Purdue Swimmer of the Week: Maggie Love (Jan. 11, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Diver of the Week&nbsp; Elna Widerstrom, Minnesota&nbsp; So. - Lund, Sweden – SK Poseidon &nbsp;<ul><li>Won the one-meter and three-meter dives vs. Army on Oct. 11&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Scored a 284.33 on the 3-meter and 305.40 on 1-meter&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Minnesota Diver of the Week: Makayla Hughbanks (Dec. 13, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Chloe Diner, Illinois&nbsp;&nbsp; Aurora, Ill. – Owego East – Major: Undeclared&nbsp;<ul><li>Won the 200 IM (2:03.08) and the 500 freestyle (5:02.26)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Member of the winning 200 medley relay (1:43.37)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Megan Vuong (Oct. 28, 2015)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2023-24 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp;Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., Iowa&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, Minnesota Oct. 16&nbsp; S: Hannah Hill, Sr., Purdue&nbsp; D: Elna Widerstrom, So., Minnesota &nbsp; F: Chloe Diner, Illinois &nbsp;

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Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois Earn Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards

Swimmer of the Week &nbsp; Ana Jih-Schiff, UCLA&nbsp; Sr. – Danville, Calif. – San Ramon Valley HS – Major: Psychology&nbsp;<ul><li>Led the Bruins to the Fresno State Invite team title over the weekend in Fresno, Calif.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Earned a total of three event wins on the weekend and helped the Bruins to six different podium place finishes between relays and individual events&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Won the 100 IM, placed third in the 200 breast and won the 200 IM, individually, and helped three relays earn podiums over the course of the weekend&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Helped the 200 free relay take first, helped the 400 free relay to a second-place finish, and finished third as part of the 200 medley relay&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Jih-Schiff is the first UCLA women’s swimmer to earn Big Ten Swimmer of the Week&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Diver of the Week&nbsp; Makayla Hughbanks, Iowa&nbsp; Sr. - Bettendorf, Iowa – Bettendorf – Major: Enterprise Leadership&nbsp;<ul><li>Won the one-meter and three-meter dives in Iowa's dual at UNI to open the season&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Placed first with 289.73 points in the one-meter dive&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Finished in first place with 305.25 points in the three-meter event&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Iowa Diver of the Week: Makayla Hughbanks (Dec. 13, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Freshman of the Week &nbsp; Livi Wanner, Minnesota &nbsp; Waukesha, Wis. – Waukesha West – Major: Undeclared&nbsp;<ul><li>In her first meet as a Gopher, she was the anchor for the winning 200 medley relay team (22.87 split 1:42.65 total) and 400 free relay (third leg) (50.63 split 3:24.46 total)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Also won the women's 50 free (23.11) and 100 free (50.79)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Morgan Thomas (Jan. 10, 2024)&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;2023-24 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly Honors&nbsp; Oct. 9 &nbsp; S: Ana Jih-Schiff, Sr., UCLA&nbsp; D: Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., Iowa&nbsp; F: Livi Wanner, MINN&nbsp;

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UCLA, Iowa and Minnesota Claim First Women’s Swimming & Diving Awards of 2024-25 Season

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Abbott and the Big Ten Conference Tackle U.S. Blood Shortages with First-of-its-Kind, Nationwide Blood Donation Competition, 'The We Give Blood Drive'

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten announced the 2024-25 Women’s Swimmers and Divers to Watch on Wednesday, featuring one swimmer and one diver from each of the 14 women’s swim and dive programs. The watch list was determined by the conference’s head coaches.&nbsp; The list features five First Team All-Big Ten swimmers and divers from last season and a pair of NCAA Champions in Wisconsin’s Phoebe Bacon (200 backstroke) and Minnesota’s Vivi Del Angel (platform). Bacon was also named the Big Ten’s Swimmer of the Year and Swimmer of the Championships while Del Angel was named the Big Ten Diver of the Year. Also featured on the list is Indiana’s Skyler Liu who earned Diver of the Championships in 2024. &nbsp; The Big Ten had three teams finish in the top 10 at last year’s NCAA Championships, including Indiana (7th), USC (8th) and Ohio State (9th). &nbsp; The 2024-25 season is set to begin on Friday, Sept. 27. &nbsp; The complete list of 2024-25 Women’s Swimmers and Divers to Watch can be found below.&nbsp; &nbsp; 2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Swimmers and Divers to Watch&nbsp; Chloe Diner, Fr., Illinois&nbsp; Bethany Mercer, So., Illinois&nbsp; Skyler Liu, Sr., Indiana&nbsp; Anna Peplowski, Sr., Indiana&nbsp; Makayla Hughbanks, Sr., Iowa&nbsp; Olivia Swalley, So., Iowa&nbsp; Stephanie Balduccini, So., Michigan&nbsp; Kiarra Milligan, Jr., Michigan&nbsp; Vivi Del Angel, Jr., Minnesota&nbsp; Katie McCarthy, So., Minnesota&nbsp; Kelsey Clairmont, Jr., Nebraska&nbsp; Gena Jorgenson, Jr., Nebraska&nbsp; Isabella Chen, Fr., Northwestern&nbsp; Nikki Venema, Gr., Northwestern&nbsp; Lena Hentschel, Jr., Ohio State&nbsp; Katherine Zenick, Gr., Ohio State&nbsp; Abigail Ekstrom, So., Penn State &nbsp; Margaret Markvardt, Gr., Penn State&nbsp; Maggie Love, Sr., Purdue&nbsp; Sophie McAfee, Sr., Purdue&nbsp; Blanka Berecz, So., Rutgers&nbsp; Holly Prasanto, Sr., Rutgers&nbsp; Lauren Hallaselka, So., UCLA&nbsp; Rosie Murphy, Jr., UCLA&nbsp; Minna Abraham, So., USC&nbsp; Kate Miller, Fr., USC&nbsp; Phoebe Bacon, Gr., Wisconsin&nbsp; Vivian Kinnard, So., Wisconsin&nbsp;

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Big Ten Announces 2024-25 Women’s Swimmers and Divers to Watch

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference today officially admitted the University of Oregon, UCLA, USC and the University of Washington, bringing the total number of member institutions to 18. Competition will begin this season for all conference sports.“We are excited today to officially welcome the University of Oregon, UCLA, USC and the University of Washington to the Big Ten Conference,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “All four institutions feature a combination of world class academics and athletics that are a great fit for our conference, and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with the administrators, coaches, student-athletes, alumni and fans.”On June 30, 2022, the Big Ten’s Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) voted unanimously to admit the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). A little more than a year later, on August 4, 2023, the COP/C voted unanimously once more to admit the University of Oregon and the University of Washington, with all four schools joining the Conference on August 2, 2024.Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington are all members of the Association of American Universities, an organization of American research institutions devoted to maintaining a strong system of academic research and education. Today, they also become members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, where Big Ten institutions lead the nation with more than 75,000 instructional staff, 810,000 students, $17.4 billion in annual research expenditures, and 145 million library volumes, representing 25 percent of all print titles in North America. Collaboration through the Big Ten Academic Alliance allows the universities to work more effectively and efficiently by, among other things, sharing a high-speed fiber optic network, offering an array of leadership development programs, building shared infrastructure, and seamlessly sharing library resources.Athletically, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington have won a combined 302 NCAA team championships and have 49 Olympians on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. On the football field, they’ve combined for 10 Heisman Trophies, 73 College Football Hall of Famers, 41 Rose Bowl championships and 173 First Round NFL draft picks, including six this year.The University of Oregon is a Carnegie R1 research university and a member of the Association of American Universities. The Oregon faculty includes a Nobel Prize winner, a MacArthur fellow, a pair of National Medal of Science winners and a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. Oregon has more than 500 student-athletes competing in 20 sports and have taken home 38 national championships, including men’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track &amp; field men’s and women’s cross country, men’s golf, acrobatics and tumbling.UCLA has been ranked the nation’s No. 1 public university for seven years in a row by U.S. News &amp; World Report and is known worldwide for the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletics programs. UCLA is the most applied-to university in the country. UCLA Athletics has more than 700 student-athletes competing in 25 sports and has won 123 NCAA national championships, the second most in the country.University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious private research university offering more than 350-degree programs excelling in education, the arts, business, engineering and sciences, as well as in research innovation and healthcare. Sponsoring 23 sports, USC has a long tradition of successful Olympic athletes, boasting more Olympians, medalists and gold medalists than any school in the country. Entering 2024-25, the Trojan teams have won 113 national championships.The University of Washington has been recognized as the No. 1 most innovative public university in the world and recently tied for seventh on the U.S. News &amp; World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings and second among U.S. public institutions. Washington receives more federal research dollars than any other U.S. public university and has been home to seven Nobel Prize winners. In athletics, the Huskies 650 student-athletes compete in 22 sports and have won national championships in football, women’s cross country, men’s rowing, women’s rowing, softball, women’s volleyball and women’s golf. The department annually finishes among the top schools in the nation in the NACDA Director’s Cup.The Big Ten Conference is an association of 18 world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women.The Big Ten Network will celebrate the new schools throughout the day Friday, beginning with four hours of classic games, a special one-hour edition of B1G Today, original B1G Moment and B1G Trailblazers programming for each institution, and the Washington edition of BTN’s Football Training Camp Tour in Seattle. Additionally, the Big Ten Conference will debut an updated version of its fan-favorite “Maps” commercial that will include its four new members.

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University of Oregon, UCLA, USC and University of Washington Officially Join Big Ten Conference

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its annual postgraduate scholarship recipients on Wednesday, recognizing two student-athletes from each of the 14 Big Ten member institutions who plan to continue their education at a graduate degree program. These honorees will be awarded a $7,500 scholarship, based primarily on academic achievements. This year’s recipients, who represent 15 different sports, will continue their education in a variety of different disciplines. Each Big Ten institution developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding the scholarships. Student-athletes must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point average (GPA), demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program. The Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student’s postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. To retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection. The complete list of 2024 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship recipients can be found below. Illinois Kate Duong, Tennis Connor Milton, BaseballIndiana Kennedy Reardon, Field Hockey Maxwell Reich, Swimming &amp; DivingIowa Vipasha Mehra, Tennis Jeremiah Pittman, FootballMaryland Shaylan Ahearn, Lacrosse&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Garrett Kappes, WrestlingMichigan Bode Saul, Soccer Gabby Wilson, Gymnastics&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Michigan State Ashley Harlock, Field Hockey&nbsp; Josh Smith, Cross CountryMinnesota Brady Jurgella, Baseball Madeline Wethington, Ice HockeyNebraska Kolby Heinerikson, Track &amp; Field Lindsey Thiele, Golf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Northwestern Ben Forbes, Swimming &amp; Diving Levi Hoogendoorn, Fencing&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ohio State Katelyn Abeln, Pistol Trent DiCicco, LacrossePenn State Olivia Damico, Soccer Ben Doyle, Swimming &amp; DivingPurdue Michaela Herwig, Swimming &amp; Diving&nbsp; Evie Sierra, Swimming &amp; DivingRutgers Steven Coponi, Track &amp; Field Emily Mahaffy, RowingWisconsin &nbsp; Gabriel Huber, Tennis Josefina Laznickova, Rowing

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Big Ten Conference Announces 2024 Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference is celebrating its 110th class of recipients who earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor from their respective institutions during the 2023-24 academic year. Established in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most prestigious award. It was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics. The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their collegiate career. This year’s class comprised student-athletes from 17 sports. Big Ten schools currently feature more than 9,800 student-athletes, but only 28 earn the award on an annual basis. Since the Big Ten Medal of Honor was first presented more than a century ago, just over 1,650 student-athletes have earned this unique distinction. Those names are on display at the Big Ten Office in Rosemont. Below is a listing of this year’s recipients: 2024 Big Ten Medal of Honor Class Illinois Kendall Bostic, Basketball Isaiah Williams, Football Indiana Anne Fowler, Diving Joey Maher, Soccer Iowa Samantha Cary, Soccer Gratt Reed, Track &amp; Field Maryland Emily Sterling, Lacrosse Ajax Zappitello, Lacrosse Michigan Gabby Wilson, Gymnastics Blake Corum, Football Michigan State Justina Gaynor, Soccer Jack Frank, Baseball Minnesota Gianna Gerdes, Gymnastics Isaiah Salazar, Wrestling Nebraska Billie Andrews, Softball Ethan Piper, Football Northwestern Izzy Scane, Lacrosse Boo Buie, Basketball Ohio State Amy Fulmer, Swimming Lyle Yost, Diving Penn State Cori Dyke, Soccer TJ Malone, Lacrosse Purdue Maddie Schermerhorn, Volleyball Mason Gillis, Basketball Rutgers Cassidy Spilis, Lacrosse Shane Knobloch, Lacrosse Wisconsin Emma Jaskaniec, Soccer Cameron Huss, Golf School Releases: <a href="https://fightingillini.com/news/2024/4/22/general-fighting-illini-athletics-celebrated-at-the-2024-oskees.aspx" target="_self">Illinois</a> <a href="https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2024/5/8/general-holmes-stone-highlight-award-winners-at-iu-athletics-night-to-shine-annual-banquet" target="_self">Indiana</a> <a href="https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2024/05/10/award-winners-announced-at-ui-athletics-senior-student-athlete-reception-3/" target="_self">Iowa</a> <a href="https://umterps.com/news/2024/5/8/terrapin-athletics-sterling-zappitello-awarded-marylands-2024-big-ten-medal-of-honor.aspx#:~:text=COLLEGE%20PARK%2C%20MD%20%2D%2D%20Maryland,of%20Honor%20recipients%20on%20Wednesday." target="_self">Maryland</a> <a href="https://mgoblue.com/news/2024/4/23/general-wilson-corum-named-michigans-big-ten-medal-of-honor-recipients" target="_self">Michigan</a> <a href="https://msuspartans.com/news/2024/6/20/baseball-michigan-state-athletics-announces-2024-all-sports-award-winners.aspx" target="_self">Michigan State</a> <a href="https://gophersports.com/news/2024/5/6/athletics-gerdes-salazar-recipients-of-big-ten-medal-of-honor" target="_self">Minnesota</a> <a href="https://huskers.com/news/2024/04/29/andrews-piper-take-top-honors-at-a-night-at-the-lied" target="_self">Nebraska</a> <a href="https://nusports.com/news/2024/6/28/womens-lacrosse-buie-and-scane-honored-as-big-ten-medal-of-honor-recipients" target="_self">Northwestern</a> <a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/4/15/general-student-athletes-recognized-with-academic-awards" target="_self">Ohio State</a> <a href="https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/6/18/general-malone-dyke-tabbed-as-penn-states-big-ten-medal-of-honor-recipients.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20Penn%20State%20Nittany%20Lion%20student,the%202023%2D24%20academic%20year." target="_self">Penn State</a> <a href="https://purduesports.com/" target="_self">Purdue</a> <a href="https://scarletknights.com/news/2024/7/2/mens-lacrosse-knobloch-and-spillis-named-2024-big-ten-medal-of-honor-recipients.aspx" target="_self">Rutgers</a> <a href="https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/4/30/general-news-huss-jaskaniec-named-big-ten-medal-of-honor-recipients.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Members%20of%20the%20Badgers'%20Class,Big%20Ten%20Medal%20of%20Honor." target="_self">Wisconsin</a>

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Big Ten Recognizes 110th Medal of Honor Class

Today, the NCAA and the five autonomy conferences released a joint statement on the agreement of settlement terms.“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come. This settlement is also a roadmap for college sports leaders and Congress to ensure this uniquely American institution can continue to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students. All of Division I made today’s progress possible, and we all have work to do to implement the terms of the agreement as the legal process continues.&nbsp;We look forward to working with our various student-athlete leadership groups to write the next chapter of college sports.”– Joint Statement from NCAA President Charlie Baker, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D., Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey

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NCAA and Autonomy Conferences Agree on Settlement

WEST LAFAYETTE&nbsp;– In a move to focus on his health and family, Purdue Diving head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/adam-soldati/2491">Adam Soldati</a>&nbsp;will pass the torch of leading the Boilermakers to protégé and Olympic champion&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/womens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/david-boudia/2500">David Boudia</a>&nbsp;due to Soldati's recent diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

 Soldati has been the leader of the Purdue Divers since being hired in 2005. Simultaneously, he has also enjoyed success when his divers compete as part of USA Diving. He plans to coach the Boilermakers through the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June and will assist Boudia as needed through the Olympic Games in the late summer. Always a devoted family man and father of six, Soldati's faith, perspective and perseverance will lay the foundation for the fight ahead.

 "Since the spring of 2005,&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/adam-soldati/2491">Adam Soldati</a>&nbsp;has invested every bit of himself into Purdue University and our incredibly successful diving program," said Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics&nbsp;Mike Bobinski. "He has impacted and provided counsel and leadership to countless people – student-athletes, families, fellow coaches and staff – in positive and extraordinary ways. And true to his persona, he has approached the unfathomable challenge of receiving life-altering news with dignity, faith, courage and optimism.&nbsp; A testament to Adam's steadfast and unwavering leadership of our diving program is that he has mentored and prepared&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/womens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/david-boudia/2500">David Boudia</a>, a former Purdue student-athlete, to carry forward our tradition of success.&nbsp; Adam's positive imprint on this athletics department, this campus and this community is permanent. Our department will support Adam and his family throughout the journey ahead, and I know our Boilermaker community will do the same."

 As Boudia ascends to Purdue head coach, Soldati will move to the role of director of diving for the short term. Boudia officially came aboard as a full-time assistant coach in the summer of 2021, with the understanding he would one day succeed Soldati as the leader of the Boilermakers.

 After more than a year of doctor visits and tests, Soldati was officially diagnosed with ALS in February. Due to the timing of the diagnosis coinciding with the start of swimming &amp; diving's NCAA championship season, Purdue's student-athletes were later informed in early April.

 "As I reflect on my past 19 years with our Boilermaker family, I am overcome with gratitude and thankfulness," Soldati said. "I rejoice in the relationships that Kimiko, our children and I have built here at Purdue and in Greater Lafayette. We have nothing but the greatest love and respect for so many people who have been part of our lives.

 &nbsp;"I have always said that it's not my job to create a champion but create an environment where you can become one. Purdue has afforded me that opportunity each and every year that I have been privileged to lead this program. The level of commitment by the administration to pursue excellence, invest in innovation and believe in dreams has been the fuel that ignited this program to one of the best in the country – and I am so appreciative that they took the chance on a young, passionate coach in 2005. From the administration, coworkers, support staff, facility crews and to my student-athletes and their families, this beautiful and robust environment at Purdue is a rare find in collegiate sports. The familial love, care and support is truly second to none.

 "It brings tears to my eyes as I think of all the athletes I have had the opportunity to coach, pour into, and Lord willing, help guide them along their path to adulthood. I will cherish so many memories and moments, and I am certain the character-building success will continue under David's leadership, passion and love for this program. Thank you, Boilermakers, for allowing me to love, serve and lead this program for so many years. I love you all and will pray for your continued growth and success. Even as I face my next season, I am a blessed man and am excited to see how God will use this disease to bring glory to His name."

 Soldati and his wife,&nbsp;Kimiko Hirai Soldati, an Olympian for Team USA in 3-meter diving in 2004, are the parents of six children (ages 10-18). The family has begun the initial stages for the fight ahead, one that Adam will face gallantly with the same gratefulness, guts and grit that have made him one of Purdue Athletics' most successful coaches over the last 20 years.

 Boudia's status as Purdue Athletics' most-decorated athlete ever was made possible via a kinship with Soldati – a bond between an athlete and a coach that propelled Boudia to achieve overarching success collegiately, nationally and internationally all while training at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center. Their lives changed forever when Boudia won gold on 10-meter at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The three-time Olympian is a four-time medalist for Team USA. He also won five medals in his career at the World Aquatics Championships. For Purdue, Boudia was a six-time NCAA champion and eight-time Big Ten Conference champion, winning CSCAA Diver of the Year at all three NCAA Championships in which he competed.

 "The legacy&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/adam-soldati/2491">Adam Soldati</a>&nbsp;has created with Purdue Diving is truly remarkable, and he will forever be the cornerstone on which our rich history and future is built," Boudia said. "I have been fortunate to have been a part of his legacy, both as one of his athletes and as a coach alongside him for the past 16 years. It has truly been a unique opportunity. I am humbled to step into the role of head coach and continue Adam's legacy as we strive for excellence both in and out of the pool. Adam's impact is immeasurable, and I am committed to building and expanding upon the foundation he has established."

 With Soldati's expertise, wisdom and perspective providing the bedrock of the program, the Purdue Divers have won 14 NCAA national championships since 2009. At USA Diving national championship meets, Soldati's pupils have won 34 titles. Steele Johnson and Brandon Loschiavo have won national titles at both levels while also earning the right to call themselves Olympians.&nbsp;<a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/womens-swimming-and-diving/roster/maycey-vieta/12772">Maycey Vieta</a>&nbsp;has already qualified for the Olympic Games this summer.

 Over the last 19 NCAA seasons, the Boilermakers have produced a bevy of All-Americans (athletic and academic), Big Ten champions, Big Ten Divers of the Year, Purdue Athletes of the Year and University graduates. The Burke Aquatic Center bears the name of the man that hired Soldati, the late Morgan Burke, who served as Purdue's athletics director from 1993-2016. It was Burke's vision of developing champions, scholars and citizens that Soldati and the Purdue Divers always made a reality at an unprecedented level.

 "As a coach, Adam has a unique gift for unlocking the potential in each of his athletes,&nbsp;nurturing their character and growth as both competitors and individuals," said Kimiko Soldati. "Ask anyone who has encountered this winsome coach, and you will undoubtedly hear words like high integrity, humble, competitive, passionate, caring, safe, faith, hope and love.&nbsp;Adam's robust faith is an inspiration to a multitude and his ability to mentor young athletes into adulthood has been a catalyst for many.

 "Beyond the countless accolades, Adam is a beloved husband and father to our six children – Blake, Isaac, Maiya, Emiko, Noah and Rylie – and a cherished friend to all he encounters. He is a man who fiercely loves competition, sacrificially serves his family and community, and whose poise and affirmation always bring out the best in those around him. To know Adam is to like Adam. He is a man who loves life, embraces adversity, and has always found a way for obstacles and opposition to be the pathway to greater love, joy and personal growth."

 Kimiko continued: "Even as Adam shared this news with his athletes through tears, his undaunted spirit shone through. He encouraged them to let adversity make them beautiful, to have an unshakable foundation, and to live for something bigger than themselves. This is the essence of the man we love and admire.

 "The road ahead for all eight of us is fraught with vast emotional and financial challenges. The staggering costs associated with ALS care and necessary home modifications for accessibility will create a burden, stretching our resources thin as we navigate this difficult journey. Amidst the grief and hardship, Adam and I take heart and are determined to embrace the life we have been given with gratefulness, guts and grit."

 A GoFundMe --&nbsp;<a href="https://gofund.me/5c5b9379">https://gofund.me/5c5b9379</a>&nbsp;-- has been established to help the Soldati Family cover the fees associated with the challenges that come with combating ALS and adapting to life with it. Purdue Athletics is also working on a tribute series to recognize Soldati's impact on Purdue Swimming &amp; Diving, as well as USA Diving. Alumni, friends, colleagues and Boilermakers of all ages are invited to submit their memories and well wishes to Soldati here at PurdueSports.com. Those submissions will be compiled for a tribute feature planned for a mid-June release.

 Dan Ross – Purdue Men's Swimming &amp; Diving Head Coach, 1985-2023
 "When Wenbo decided to take the USA Diving head coach position, I reached out to a handful of diving coaches I respected. To a tee, they all said it should be Soldati. When I picked Adam up at the old Indy airport, I was still skeptical of his 'IU-ness.' But by the time we got to 465 North – and back in those days it was less than two minutes – I knew he was the guy. In fact, we had to get this guy.

 "One of my favorite passages of Scripture is from Hebrews 13:2 – 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' It can be interpreted many ways: Adam was a stranger at first but an angel for me. I believe everyone who came in contact with him indeed was blessed to be visited by this angel. He changed me as a coach, but more importantly as a friend, brother in Christ and one who always gave me honest advice – not necessarily what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear.

 "As a coach, Adam always said 'you must know the science of your sport first, then it's all about relationships with your athletes.' He taught me you don't always have to like every athlete every day, but you must love them all unconditionally – meaning you better know your sport better than anyone, but to win it's all about relationships.

 "Christian, Husband, Father, blessing to all whom he meets, then Coach – that's how I see the man's identity. Adam is blessed to know his finality, but in fact not one of us knows when our time on this Earth will be up. So live like Adam is doing – he is truly living now. He wants every one of us to live every day as it is our last and always love your teammates.

 "I plan to wake up every day I have left and pray I can live like Adam."

 <a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/womens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/john-klinge/2496">John Klinge</a>&nbsp;– Purdue Women's Swimming &amp; Diving Head Coach, 2008-Present
 "Adam has created such a tremendous legacy here at Purdue.&nbsp;I think most acknowledge he is one of the best, if not the best, diving coaches in the country. Everyone associated with our program has learned a tremendous amount by being around him.&nbsp;More importantly, Adam is a model father, husband and friend. I have no doubt he will continue to be a great example for all of us moving forward.&nbsp;All of us just want to play a huge part in supporting Adam and his awesome family."

 <a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/darlene-renie/2493">Darlene Renie</a>&nbsp;– Purdue Swimming &amp; Diving Supervisor of Operations and Purdue Athletics Hall of Famer
 "When Adam rolled onto campus for an interview 19 years ago, I had a feeling this man could continue to take the Purdue Diving program places.&nbsp;It was easy to see he possessed so many traits of excellence.&nbsp;He is a family man full of wisdom, tenacity, vision, confidence, persistence and faith. His competitive spirit can be seen and felt on the side of the pool deck and in life itself. Purdue Diving is what it is because of Adam."

 <a href="https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster/coaches/alex-jerden/2494">Alex Jerden</a>&nbsp;– Purdue Men's Swimming &amp; Diving Head Coach, 2023-Present (Assistant Coach from 2019-23)
 "I first met Adam by chance sitting next to him on a flight back from the NCAA Championships in 2018 – myself an aspiring college coach and him having just coached Steele Johnson to a national title the day before. I'm not surprised now, but I was back then at the patience and time he gave me on that flight while I asked an endless list of questions.&nbsp;Hard to believe this many years later I've been able to work next to him and learn from him within this program. After learning of this news and watching the way Adam has been handing this challenge, my admiration for him is affirmed yet again. We are so fortunate as a program to have such a life, family, and career role model as Adam is to us all on a daily basis.

 "For me, it's been a daily joy to watch the atmosphere of growth and excitement and connection that he has fostered here at the pool. Adam would say that words are our most powerful tools and that rings true especially between him and I. He has inspired me to improve as a human and coach many times over – in times of great conversation or in something as simple as an enthusiastic greeting. To that point, the way he has decided to face this with resiliency, courage, and perseverance speaks to his constitution and strength of faith in a way we have all seen him before, but may have taken for granted or not seen as closely as we do now. How he has nurtured this program all while having a family of seven is a feat as admirable and as extraordinary as I can imagine. I am truly grateful for the example he has set for me and so many others."

 Wenbo Chen – Head Diving Coach at the University of Minnesota; Purdue Diving Coach from 1999-2005
 "He always calls me a brother. Yes, Adam has been like a brother to me since we first met in 1998. I got a chance to know him better when he came to Purdue for his interview in 2005. He is eager to win and always stays positive. Even if he is facing tough situations, he sees the blessings in this challenge and stays positive."

 Leslie Hasselbach Adams – USA Diving High Performance Director
 "Adam embodies everything I admire in a mentor and friend. He speaks with unwavering truth, intelligence, and care – always ready to offer support and empathy. His integrity shines through in every interaction, and I'm consistently inspired by his ability to get the job done with grace and authenticity. Every conversation with Adam leaves me with a valuable nugget of wisdom, a testament to his profound insight and impact on my life.

 "Beyond the accolades of multiple Olympic coaching stints where he guided athletes to Olympic Glory, Adam's legacy is etched in the lives he has touched and transformed. As a devoted follower of Christ, father, husband and mentor, his passion for nurturing growth, fostering love, and radiating joy has left an indelible mark on all fortunate enough to cross his path. Adam's calling transcends the confines of the diving pool; it is a calling of the heart, a mission to uplift and empower those around him. As he embarks on the next phase of his remarkable journey, may his spirit continue to inspire others to reach for the stars and embrace the power of faith, love and perseverance."

 Drew Johansen – Head Diving Coach at Indiana University &amp; USA Diving Coach
 "The diving world is stunned by this news.&nbsp;Adam is a legendary coach and mentor. He has impacted so many through his leadership roles at Purdue University, the Big Ten Conference, the NCAA and USA Diving.&nbsp;I treasure his role with me as a friend, colleague, teammate and competitor, but his greatest role has always been as a husband and a father.&nbsp;I know we will all unite to help and pray for them as they go through this difficult time.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 "When I finally got to talk with Adam a few weeks ago and hear his voice, his eternal optimism, his dogged determination to always live his best life and make everyone around him do the same, I felt joy and was happy to reconnect with an old friend.&nbsp;He told me he sees the blessings in this challenge he is facing, and I couldn't understand how he could say that.&nbsp;He has been like a brother to me for the past 25 years, and, for no reason, we haven't spoken on a personal level in years.&nbsp;Busy work lives, competitiveness, gamesmanship, rivalry, and our drive to win – we simply forgot to continue talking as friends.&nbsp;As the conversation continued, we realized for the first time in over a decade we were sharing on a personal level again, and that was our blessing that came from this difficult news. I couldn't see it at first, but he certainly did.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 "I look forward to supporting Adam and his family during this challenge – I know we all do. Let's keep making today great!"

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Soldati Steps Down as Purdue Diving Head Coach for Health Reasons

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Five Big Ten women’s swimming and diving student-athletes were selected as College Sports Communicators (CSC) 2023-24 Academic All-Americans today.Indiana’s Ching Hwee Gan was named Division I Academic All-American Team Member of the Year and earned a First Team nod along with teammate Anne Fowler.Ohio State’s Amy Fulmer earned First Team distinction and fellow Buckeye Maya Geringer earned a spot on the Third Team.Minnesota’s Vivi Del Angel and the Big Ten’s Diver of the Year also earned Third Team recognition.

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Five Big Ten Women's Swimmers & Divers Earn CSC Academic All-America Honors

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced its 2024 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving postseason award recipients on Thursday, as selected by the conference’s head coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wisconsin’s Phoebe Bacon was named Swimmer of the Year, while Minnesota’s Vivi Del Angel was named Diver of the Year. Indiana’s Ray Looze was named Swim Coach of the year and Minnesota’s Wenbo Chen was named Diving Coach of the Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bacon won Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year, after a season culminating with a National Championship for Bacon in the 200-yard backstroke. Bacon was also named an All-American in the 200 IM and the 100-yard backstroke at this year’s NCAA Championships.&nbsp;&nbsp;Del Angel became the first-ever diver for Minnesota to win a National Title on platform, winning the crown with a 327.90.&nbsp;&nbsp;Looze earns his sixth Swim Coach of the Year honor after guiding Indiana to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championships and the team’s first Big Ten Championship since 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chen was named Diving Coach of the Year for the second-straight year and 10th time in his career. Chen helped the Gophers to a 20th place finish at this year's NCAA Championships.

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Big Ten Announces Women’s Swimming and Diving Postseason Awards

<div class="sidearm-story-template-text"><aside class="sidearm-story-template-links"><a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:3957ab11-d614-484e-bafb-3273766ace64">2024 Winter Academic All-Big Ten List</a></aside> ROSEMONT, Ill. [March 20, 2024] —&nbsp;The Big Ten Conference recognized a total of 1,032 students competing in winter sports who have been named to the Academic All-Big Ten team Thursday. &nbsp; The list of honorees includes 81 men’s and 94 women’s basketball students, 147 men’s and 232 women’s swimming and diving students, 58 men’s and 133 women’s gymnastics students, 90 men’s ice hockey students and 197 men’s wrestling students. &nbsp; To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of March 1 for winter sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. &nbsp; Thirty-five&nbsp;winter honorees had unblemished GPAs: &nbsp; Kendall Bostic, Gr., Illinois, Women’s Basketball, edM: Special Education Michael Fletcher, Gr., Illinois, Men’s Gymnastics, Recreation, Sport &amp; Tourism Connor McCool, Gr., Illinois, Men’s Gymnastics, Recreation, Sport &amp; Tourism Mia Takekawa, Gr., Illinois, Women’s Gymnastics, Bioengineering Lauren Beard, Sr., Illinois, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, Atmospheric Science Alexis Wendel, So., Illinois, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, Finance, Management Luke Luffman, Gr., Illinois, Wrestling, Recreation, Sport and Tourism Jake Reicin, Gr., Illinois, Wrestling, Management Online Ching Hwee Gan, Jr., Indiana, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, Nutrition Science Mason Alley, So., Indiana, Wrestling, Finance Sharon Goodman, RS Junior, Iowa, Women’s Basketball, CLAS Non-degree Student Kaia Vanney, Sophomore, Iowa, Women’s Gymnastics, Health Studies BA Emma Silberman, Gr., Maryland, Women’s gymnastics, Special Education Lily Clapper, So., Michigan, Women’s Gymnastics, Business Administration Zack Mattin, Jr., Michigan, Wrestling, Biology, Health &amp; Society Stephanie Lebster, So., Michigan State, Women’s Gymnastics, Kinesiology Gavin Best, So., Michigan State, Men’s Ice Hockey, Marketing Tiernan Shoudy, So., Michigan State, Men’s Ice Hockey, Finance Gianna Gerdes, Masters, Minnesota, Women’s Gymnastics, Sport Management M Ed Sarah Moraw, Jr., Minnesota, Women’s Gymnastics, Human Rsrc Dev B S Desmon Sachtjen, Masters, Minnesota, Men’s Swim &amp; Dive, Sport Management M Ed Jake Gliva, Non-degree, Minnesota, Wrestling, Non Degree Rowan Morgan, Non-degree, Minnesota, Wrestling, Non Degree Tim Stapleton, Masters, Minnesota, Wrestling, Sport Management M Ed Asher Cohen, So., Nebraska, Men’s Gymnastics, Biological Sciences Emily Haimes, Sr., Nebraska, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, History/Psychology JoJo Randby, Jr., Nebraska, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, Biological Sciences/Management Ben Forbes, Gr., Northwestern University, Men’s Swim &amp; Dive, Mechanical Engineering Markie Hopkins, Gr., Northwestern University, Women’s Swim &amp; Dive, Educational Studies Troy Fisher, Gr., Northwestern University, Wrestling, Global Health Leadership Cert&nbsp; Will Fleck, So., Penn State, Men’s Gymnastics, Electrical Engineering Cassidy Rushlow, Gr., Penn State, Women’s Gymnastics, Human Resources &amp; Employment Relations Aaron Nagao, Jr., Penn State, Wrestling, Labor and Human Resources Owen Lindmark, Gr., Wisconsin, Men’s Ice Hockey, Sports Leadership and Business: Finance, Investment and Banking Tyler Wahl, Gr., Wisconsin, Men’s Basketball, Sports Leadership Big Ten Conference&nbsp;(<a href="/" title="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbigten.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7Ccmasters%40bigten.org%7Cc6363ff1d2cd4d1c65c608da811dc3cc%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C637964262094695302%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAw" target="_self">bigten.org</a>) is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching, and public service. Founded in 1896, Big Ten Conference has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness, and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten Conference institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013.<div class="sidearm-story-template-boilerplate"><ads-component params="{ id: 'c37ad212-931f-46cf-bfb3-cfcc68c8b013' }"><div class="ad html-ad" data-bind="with: campaign"></div></ads-component></div></div>

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Big Ten Recognizes Winter Academic All-Big Ten Honorees

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2024 Big Ten Women's Swimming & Diving Championships

<a href="https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltca750cef518bc6e4/blt4abf93d4682e9d3c/2024_Women_s_Swimming_&_Diving_Championships_Full_Results_3.pdf">FINAL RESULTS</a>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Indiana women’s swimming and diving team claimed the 2024 Big Ten championship and its first since 2019 Saturday night at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.&nbsp;The Hoosiers captured the title with 1359 points, followed by Ohio State with 1358.5 points. Michigan finished third (1207), followed by Wisconsin (978), Minnesota (816), Purdue (572.5), Northwestern (463.5), Nebraska (409), Penn State (382), Rutgers (363.5), Iowa (303) and Illinois (204).&nbsp;Indiana won six of the swimming events - the 800 free relay (Anna Peplowski, Ella Ristic, Ching Hwee Gan, Kristina Paegle), the 200 free (Peplowski), the100 backstroke (Kacey McKenna), the 200 free relay (Peplowski, Ashley Turak, Chiok Sze Yeo, Paegle), the 1,650 freestyle (Hwee Gan) and the 200 breaststroke (Brearna Crawford).&nbsp;Skyler Liu, the Diver of the Championships, won the 3-meter (379.95 points) and platform diving (342.40 points) to help the Hoosiers to victory.&nbsp;Wisconsin's Phoebe Bacon was named the Swimmer of the Championships and Michigan's Stephanie Balduccini was named the Swimming and Diving Freshman of the Year, following a vote by the conference coaches.&nbsp;The compelte list of individual award recipients, all-conference honorees and Sportsmanship Award selections are listed below.&nbsp;2024 BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL HONORSSwimmer of the Championship: Phoebe Bacon, WisconsinDiver of the Championship: Skyler Liu, IndianaSwimming and Diving Freshman of the Year:&nbsp; Stephanie Balduccini, Michigan&nbsp;ALL-BIG TEN TEAMSFirst Team&nbsp;Brearna Crawford, Indiana&nbsp;Ching Hwee Gan, Indiana&nbsp;Skyler Liu, Indiana&nbsp;Kacey McKenna, Indiana&nbsp;Kristina Paegle, Indiana&nbsp;Anna Peplowski, Indiana&nbsp;&nbsp;Ella Ristic, Indiana&nbsp;Chiok Sze Yeo, Indiana&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashley Turak, Indiana&nbsp;Stephanie Balduccini, MichiganKatelyn Crom, MichiganLindsay Flynn, MichiganBrady Kendall, Michigan&nbsp;Claire Newman, MichiganMegan Van Berkom, Minnesota&nbsp;Hannah Bach, Ohio State&nbsp;Amy Fulmer. Ohio State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nyah Funderburke, Ohio State&nbsp;Lena Hentschel, Ohio State&nbsp;Teresa Ivan, Ohio State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morgan Kraus, Ohio State&nbsp;Katherine Zenick, Ohio State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phoebe Bacon, Wisconsin&nbsp;Second TeamElla Roselli, Indiana&nbsp;Anne Fowler, Indiana&nbsp;Hannah Bellard, Michigan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Casey Chung, Michigan&nbsp;Natalie Kan, Michigan&nbsp;Christey Liang, Michigan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Viviana Del Angel, Minnesota&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alya Spitz, Northwestern&nbsp;Josephine Panitz, Ohio State&nbsp;Abby Carlson, Wisconsin&nbsp;Callahan Dunn, Wisconsin&nbsp;Mackenzie McConagha, Wisconsin&nbsp;Hazal Ozkan, Wisconsin&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hailey Tierney, Wisconsin&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madeline Waggoner, Wisconsin&nbsp;Big Ten Sportsmanship HonoreesAnna Kurzydlo, Illinois&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morgan Casey, IndianaMakayla Hughbanks, Iowa&nbsp;Claire Newman, MichiganKate LaMonica, MinnesotaEmily Haimes, NebraskaErika Chen, NorthwesternMia Lachey, Ohio StateMargaret Markvardt, Penn StateAna Rojas, PurdueTina Celik, RutgersCallahan Dunn, Wisconsin

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Indiana Wins 2024 Big Ten Women's Swim and Dive Championship

Swimmer of the Week&nbsp;Mackenzie DeWitt, Ohio State&nbsp;&nbsp;Jr. – Hudson, Ohio – Hudson High School – Major: Speech and Hearing Science&nbsp;<ul><li>Finished first in the 50 free with a time of 22.94 at the Ohio State Winter Invite&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Won the 100 backstroke in a time of 54.88&nbsp;</li><li>Finished second in the 100 fly (54.85) and second in the 100 free (50.50)&nbsp;</li><li>Last Ohio State Swimmer of the Week: Amy Fulmer (Jan. 31, 2024)&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Freshman of the Week&nbsp;&nbsp;Bella Fisco, Ohio State&nbsp;Santa Clarita, Calif. – Saugus High School – Major: Exercise Science Education&nbsp;<ul><li>Finished third in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.27 at the Ohio State Winter Invite&nbsp;</li><li>Placed fourth in the 100 fly with a time of 55.09 and finished fifth in the 200 fly with a time of 2:04.95&nbsp;</li><li>Earns her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Krista Marlin (Nov. 22, 2023)&nbsp;</li></ul>2023-24 Big Ten Women’s Swimming and Diving Weekly HonorsOct. 4&nbsp;S: Cat Stanford, PSU&nbsp;D: Abbey Ekstrom, PSU&nbsp;F: Morgan Jenny, PSU&nbsp;Oct. 11&nbsp;S: Abby Carlson, WIS&nbsp;D: Skyler Liu, IND&nbsp;F: Elysha Pribadi, RU&nbsp;&nbsp;Oct. 19&nbsp;S: Megan Van Berkom, MINN&nbsp;D: Daryn Wright, PUR&nbsp;F: Abigail Ekstrom, PSU&nbsp;Oct. 25&nbsp;S: Phoebe Bacon, WIS&nbsp;D: Daryn Wright, PUR&nbsp;F: Beatrix Tanko, NEB&nbsp;Nov. 1&nbsp;S: Josephine Panitz, OSU&nbsp;D: Lena Hentschel, OSU&nbsp;F: Olivia Swalley, IOWA&nbsp;Nov. 8&nbsp;S: Mackenzie McConagha, WIS&nbsp;D: Lena Hentschel, OSU&nbsp;F: Hailey Tierney, WIS&nbsp;Nov. 15&nbsp;S: Paige Hall, OSU&nbsp;D: Janie Boyle, OSU&nbsp;F: Elysha Pribadi, RU&nbsp;Nov. 22&nbsp;S: Phoebe Bacon, WIS&nbsp;D: Skyler Liu, IND&nbsp;F: Krista Marlin, OSU&nbsp;Dec. 6&nbsp;S: Gena Jorgenson, NEB&nbsp;D: Vivi Del Angel, MINN&nbsp;F: Olivia Swalley, IOWA&nbsp;&nbsp;Dec. 13&nbsp;&nbsp;S: Scarlet Martin, IOWA&nbsp;D: Makayla Hughbanks, IOWA&nbsp;F: Olivia Swalley, IOWA&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 10&nbsp;S: Phoebe Bacon, WIS&nbsp;F: Morgan Thomas, MINN&nbsp;Jan. 17&nbsp;S: Scarlet Martin, IOWA&nbsp;D: Sophie McAfee, PUR&nbsp;F: Olivia Swalley, IOWA&nbsp;Jan. 24&nbsp;S:&nbsp; Anna Peplowski, IND&nbsp;D: Anne Fowler, IND&nbsp;F:&nbsp; Elysha Pribadi, RU&nbsp;Jan. 31&nbsp;S: Amy Fulmer, OSU&nbsp;D: Abby Baxter, NEB&nbsp;F: Anastasia Tichy, NEB&nbsp;Feb. 7&nbsp;S: Ching Hwee Gan, IND&nbsp;D: Anne Fowler, IND&nbsp;F: Kailey Koval, PSU&nbsp;Feb. 21&nbsp;S: Mackenzie DeWitt, OSU&nbsp;D: no selection&nbsp;&nbsp;F: Bella Fisco, OSU

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