Eastern Michigan Athletics
Van Allen's Noteworthy Performance Garners MAC Honors
11/9/2015 3:36:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Junior Grace Van Allen led the Eagles past Oakland, Saturday, Nov. 7
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - On the heels of one of her best performances in her Eastern Michigan University career, junior swimmer Grace Van Allen (Indianapolis, Ind.-North Central) was named Mid-American Conference Women's Swimmer of the Week, the conference announced, Monday, Nov. 9. Van Allen's impressive performance pushed the Eagles past Oakland University, 193.5-104.5, in Jones Natatorium, Saturday, Nov. 7.
Van Allen scored 27 of the Eagles' 193.5 points, winning three individual events. The Indianapolis, Ind. product opened her day with her second win of the season in the 200 Freestyle. Trailing early on in the race, Van Allen passed up two swimmers on the final two splits to take first. With a time of 1:51.34, Van Allen shaved three seconds off her previous season-best time.
Van Allen returned to the water for the 500 Freestyle. At the halfway point of the race, Van Allen trailed three swimmers but turned on the jets down the stretch to make up ground. Catching a pair of Oakland swimmers and teammate Nicole Swartz (Dayton, Ohio-Centerville), Van Allen's strong finish allowed her to touch in three and a half seconds ahead of the field. Van Allen touched in six seconds faster than her season-best to reel in her first top finish in the event this season with a time of 5:01.55.
Her impressive day came to a close in the 200 IM where she finished with a career-best time of 2:06.33 to take first place, finishing her day three-for-three with a trio of top finishes.
Monday's announcement marks the first time in Van Allen's career she has been named MAC Women's Swimmer of the Week, while it is the second time this season an Eagle has earned the honor (Alexis Mitcheltree, Oct. 24) this season.
Van Allen and the Eagles continue the season, Saturday, Nov. 14, in Jones Natatorium against Ohio State University. The co-ed dual is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Van Allen scored 27 of the Eagles' 193.5 points, winning three individual events. The Indianapolis, Ind. product opened her day with her second win of the season in the 200 Freestyle. Trailing early on in the race, Van Allen passed up two swimmers on the final two splits to take first. With a time of 1:51.34, Van Allen shaved three seconds off her previous season-best time.
Van Allen returned to the water for the 500 Freestyle. At the halfway point of the race, Van Allen trailed three swimmers but turned on the jets down the stretch to make up ground. Catching a pair of Oakland swimmers and teammate Nicole Swartz (Dayton, Ohio-Centerville), Van Allen's strong finish allowed her to touch in three and a half seconds ahead of the field. Van Allen touched in six seconds faster than her season-best to reel in her first top finish in the event this season with a time of 5:01.55.
Her impressive day came to a close in the 200 IM where she finished with a career-best time of 2:06.33 to take first place, finishing her day three-for-three with a trio of top finishes.
Monday's announcement marks the first time in Van Allen's career she has been named MAC Women's Swimmer of the Week, while it is the second time this season an Eagle has earned the honor (Alexis Mitcheltree, Oct. 24) this season.
Van Allen and the Eagles continue the season, Saturday, Nov. 14, in Jones Natatorium against Ohio State University. The co-ed dual is set to begin at 1 p.m.
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