Carbondale Reporter

Alex Santiago, Willem Huggins, and Liseska Gallegos from the Southern Illinois swimming and diving team have been recognized with weekly honors by the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), as announced today.

Santiago has been named Men's Swimmer of the Week after achieving seven first-place "A" final finishes at the A3 Performance Invitational. He set MVC records in both the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 19.65 and the 100-yard freestyle clocking 44.14. Additionally, he contributed to record-setting relay teams in the 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay, and 200-yard freestyle relay. This is Santiago's second recognition as Swimmer of the Week this season.

Huggins earned his title as Men's Freshman of the Week for a second time this season following six first-place "A" final finishes and one second-place finish at the same event. He established an MVC record in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:44.85 and was part of record-breaking relay teams in three categories: the 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay, and 200-yard freestyle relay.

Gallegos was named Women's Freshman of the Week after securing three second-place "A" final finishes at the A3 Performance Invitational. She recorded personal bests and program top-10 times in several events: 200-yard IM (2:01.88), 200-yard backstroke (1:57.92), and 100-yard backstroke (53.93). This is also her second MVC weekly award this season.

For further details on MVC awards, visit mvc-sports.com.