Jan. 27, 2010

IRVING, Texas - For their efforts the past two weeks against then-No. 8 Minnesota, No. 19 Arkansas and Iowa State, sophomore Jan Konarzewski and senior Colleen Gordon were tabbed as the Big 12 Men's and Women's Swimmer of the Week Wednesday afternoon.

This is the third time in the program's history that two Tigers were honored with the award, and first time since last February when Martin Cernansky and Lauren Lavigna earned the distinction. Konarzewski claims the award for the second time this year and Gordon earns the award for the first time in her career.

Konarzewski, the school record holder in the 100 and 200 backstroke, took first place in both races against No. 8 Minnesota. He defeated UM's Karl Burdis by .10 seconds in the 100 backstroke (48.49) and won the 200 backstroke by more than three seconds (1:48.70). Konarzewski took second in both the 100 butterfly and with the 200 medley relay team.

Coming off two dual wins over the Razorbacks and Cyclones, Gordon, the Missouri City, Texas native, set numerous records in winning five events over two weeks. The first series of wins came against No. 19 Arkansas where she won the 1000 free (9:54.00), 200 fly (2:00.99) and 100 fly (55.07) events, setting new personal bests in each event and top-five all-time best times. In the 100 fly she defeated past Olympian and defending SEC champ Yi-Ting Siow in the process.

Against the Cyclones, Gordon won the 200 free (1:49.61) and 100 fly (55.97) races, setting a pool record in the 200 free race by being the first swimmer to swim under 1:50.00 at Iowa State's pool.

Konarzewski, Gordon and the rest of the Missouri men's and women's swimming and diving teams will participate in the Shamrock Invitational at Notre Dame this Friday and Saturday.