This week’s Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the Week is Pamela Benitez of Southern Illinois. Bethany Olson of Northern Iowa receives this week’s Diver of the Week honors.

Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the Week

Pamela Benitez, Southern Illinois, Fr., San Salvador, El Salvador

vs. Ball State

100 Free - 1st (53.04)

200 Free - 1st (1:53.14)

vs. Evansville

200 Free - 1st (1:54.84)

250 Free - 1st (2:29.81)

Pamela Benitez won all four races she competed in on Friday and Saturday. On Friday night, she swept the 100 and 200 freestyle. Just 20 hours later, she went out and swept the 200 and 250 free in SIU's dual meet with Evansville on Saturday. Benitez has now won 12 of her 13 individual races this season.

Other Notable Performances:

Chelsea Hartman, Northern Iowa, Sr., North Liberty, IA

Hartman competed in her last home meet in her collegiate career for the Panthers on Thursday against instate rival, the University of Iowa. She finished first in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:33.99. She took the runner-up spot in the 500 freestyle. She clocked in at 5:10.08 which is a new season best time for her.

Michelle Tipton, Evansville, Fr, O’Fallon, Mo.

Freshman Michelle Tipton led the University of Evansville women’s squad this weekend, going undefeated in individual events and helping the 100-yard freestyle relay team to a second place finish. Tipton racked up two first place times against Southern Illinois, winning the 50-free with a time of 24.27 before touching in at 53.86 to take first in the 100-free as well.

Missouri Valley Conference Diver of the Week

Bethany Olson, Northern Iowa, Jr., Cedar Falls, IA

1-meter dive- 1^st – 276.82

3-meter dive- 1^st- 270.60

Olson had a very good meet on Thursday for the Panthers against instate rival the University of Iowa. She took the top spot in the 1-meter dive for UNI with 276.82 points. She also won the 3-meter dive, scoring 270.60 points. Olson now has 15 individual wins this season.

Other Notable Performances:

Anna Beeck, Southern Illinois, Jr., Oakland, Fla.

Southern Illinois junior Anna Beeck swept the one and three-meter dives in the Salukis' dual meet with Evansville on Saturday. Beeck finished second on Friday in the one-meter dive at Ball State, but her two winning scores against Evansville blew away the competition. Beeck won the one-meter dive by 40 points with a score of 275.24 and the three-meter dive by more than 20 points with 286.35.