Nov. 12, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State swimmer Allison Fishbein was named Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the week after her performance against Big Ten Conference foe Illinois this past weekend. A first-place finish, and two personal-best times, led Fishbein to be named MVC swimmer of the week for the first time in the 2008-09 season.
Fishbein achieved a first-place finish and personal-best time in the 200-yard breaststroke, touching the wall with a time of 2:25.80. She went on to secure a third-place finish and a season-best time in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:08.77. In her final event against Illinois, Fishbein recorded a personal-best time in the 400-yard individual medley (IM), taking third with a time of 4:38.83.
Her times in the 400-yard IM, 200-yard breaststroke, and100-yard breaststroke events currently rank first, second and third in the Valley, respectively. Fishbein also holds the third-place time in the 200-yard individual medley relay (2:11.79) and the seventh-place time in the 200-yard butterfly event (2:15.30) in the Valley.
Head coach Steve Paska feels receiving the MVC swimmer of the week award is a great accomplishment for Fishbein.
"She had some great races against Illinois this past Friday," Paska said. "Her first-place finish and personal-best time in the 200-yard breaststroke was in my opinion one of the best races of the night. She's been consistent in all the dual meets, and she's just had a marvelous fall."
Paska attributes Fishbein's success to the great work ethic she brings to the pool every day.
"She has just been consistent in practice, and producing results every day in practice," Paska said. "I believe the hard work, determination and perseverance that she attempts to achieve every day is finally paying off. The way she leads by example in the pool and in the classroom, exemplifies the term Redbird student-athlete. It is a well deserved honor for Allison."
