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Marissa Clapp
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Oct. 25, 2006
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Illinois sophomore Marissa Clapp (Danville, Ill. /Bismarck-Henning) as its Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on Tuesday after capturing first-place finishes in seven of her eight events.
In the team's first meet of the season on Friday, Clapp swam the second leg of the first-place 400 medley relay that finished in 3:53.82.
Individually, the second-year swimmer won the 200 breast (2:18.76) and the 200 IM (2:06.36); Clapp also set a personal best (2:06.41) in the 200 fly, finishing second behind Illini freshman Jen Ivarson. Illinois defeated Oakland 171.5-102.5.
Saturday, Clapp swam to four more first-place finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:47.62), 100 breast (1:06.14), 200 breast (2:19.01) and 400 IM (4:27.43), helping the Illini defeat the Spartans, 166-134.
"I'm very excited for Marissa," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "She had a great weekend of racing. She stepped in where her team needed her and competed well this past weekend.
"She's a lot stronger than she was last year, and that's helped her in her training. She's probably one of the most consistent practice swimmers on the team, and she's giving 100 percent every day. She's been able to put together some great practices, which helped translate into some great races for her."
Clapp becomes the first Illinois swimmer to win the Swimmer of the Week award since senior Barbie Viney garnered honors for the week of Oct. 18, 2005.
