University of Minnesota Athletics
Kochavi Named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week
2/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
University of Minnesota sophomore Nadav Kochavi has been named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week by the conference office after winning three events last weekend at the Minnesota Challenge.
Kochavi won the 100 and 200 butterfly events at the Minnesota Challenge, posting impressive times. Kochavi won the 100 fly in 47.19, making him the third-fastest Gopher ever in the event. He won the 200 fly in 1:46.27, a time that ranks seventh all-time in Minnesota history. Both of his times were NCAA B-cut standards. Kochavi also swam the backstroke leg of the Gophers' victorious 200 medley relay team.
The Petah-Tiqwa, Israel native is Minnesota's first Big Ten Swimmer of the Week since senior Colin Lee-To took home the laurel on Jan. 22, 2008. Kochavi, an Israeli national record holder in several events, joined Minnesota prior to the 2008-09 season and became eligible in January.
The 10th-ranked Gophers are preparing the 2009 Big Ten Championships, which will be held February 26-28 at Purdue. Minnesota finished third at the Championships last season.
