GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced the third weekly awards of the swimming and diving season. Grand Valley State senior Gabriel Souza earned GLIAC Men's Athlete of the Week accolades, while GVSU freshman Samantha Laurich captured GLIAC Women's Athlete of the Week honors.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Gabriel Souza - Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State senior Gabriel Souza (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was named the GLIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week as he helped the ninth-ranked Lakers capture a pair of season-opening dual meet wins over Calvin College (168-54) and Lewis (130.5-74.5). Souza was a part of three relays (400 medley-3:27.02; 200 medley-1:32.08; 200 free-1:24.39) that finished first, while he touched first in the 100 fly (48.39) versus Calvin. Souza also competed in the 200 IM (2:03.71) and 100 free (48.40)..
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Samantha Laurich - Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State freshman Samantha Laurich (Yorkville, Ill./Rosary) was named the GLIAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week for her performance in three Laker victories over Calvin (161-78), Hillsdale (159.5-71.5) and Lewis (141.5-43.5) in her college debut. Laurich tallied first-place finishes in the 200 breast (2:23.24) and 200 IM (2:08.49), finished fourth in the 100 back (1:00.97) and was part of the 400 medley relay team that touched first in 3:57.46.
