Nov. 18, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State sophomore Jeanette Nolte and senior Liza Perrino were named Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer and Diver of the Week for Nov. 18. Nolte and Perrino received the awards after their performance this past Friday, Nov. 12, against Illinois.
Despite the team loss, Nolte had a number of outstanding performances last Friday, including a first and second place finish, along with both a personal and season best time. Nolte swam for the first time this season after recovering from a torn ACL in June and earned a first place finish in the 100-yard butterfly with a season best time of 58.55. She also placed second in the 200-yard butterfly and earned a personal best time of 2:08.80. Nolte was also a member of the second place 200-yard freestyle relay against the Fighting Illini, which finished with a time of 1:39.79.
Head coach Steve Paska believes Nolte greatly deserves this award.
"We had this meet targeted as Jeanette's first meet to compete through her road to recovery from surgery," Paska said. "Throughout practice this fall she has been able to train and gain both strength and confidence, and I saw positive signs that she was going to be ready to swim. I believe through hard work and patience it was an honor for Jeanette to receive MVC Swimmer of the Week."
Perrino also had two successful performances last Friday in both the 3-meter and 1-meter diving events during the Redbirds second home meet of the season. She placed second in the 3-meter diving event with a personal best score of 255.23 and took third place in the 1-meter diving with a score of 229.95.
Diving coach Phil Hoffmann looks as Perrino's award as a great honor for both her and the team.
"There was an outstanding team effort in last Friday's meet, but Liza's performance in the 3-meter against the Big Ten opponent was a great feat for her," Hoffmann said. "Her one-meter dive also helped with the team's success."
Perrino and Nolte join Redbird swimmers Tori Alland and Molly Gomberg who were named Swimmer of the Week earlier this season by the Missouri Valley Conference.
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