GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced the third weekly awards of the swimming and diving season. Northern Michigan junior Ondrej Zach earned GLIAC Men's Athlete of the Week accolades, while NMU senior Rachael Helm captured GLIAC Women's Athlete of the Week honors.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ondrej Zach - Northern Michigan
Zach won his first weekly honor after he set a new school record in the 1,650 freestyle, posting a new record time of 15:42.41. He finished the weekend with a total of four individual victories. Friday saw him capture the 200-yard butterfly in 1:57.30 and the 500-yard freestyle in 4:43.76. He then added first place in the 1,650 freestyle and repeated his victory in the 500-yard freestyle by touching at 4:36.20.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Rachael Helm - Northern Michigan
This is the second-straight week Helm has earned the award and her seventh weekly honor of her career. At the Dragon Invite, hosted by Minnesota State University – Moorhead this past weekend, Helm posted three NCAA B-Cuts while winning three individual events and aided two relays to victories. On Friday, the senior won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:00.61. She then followed it Saturday with wins in the 50-yard freestyle, 23.92, and the 100-yard backstroke, 55.69.