University of Minnesota Athletics
Smith, Zhou Collect Conference Accolades
1/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 27, 2015
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ROSEMOUNT, Ill. - Despite the Gophers' loss to N.C. State this weekend, both Kierra Smith and Yu Zhou picked up weekly conference honors. Junior Smith was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week by the league office, and sophomore Zhou collected the Diver of the Week honor. Michigan's Smiddy was also celebrated as Freshman of the Week.
This honor marks the sixth of Smith's collegiate career. Throughout this weekend's meet, Smith earned three first-place finishes as well as a second-place mark. She placed first in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:02.12, the 200 breast with a 2:10.41 and 400 IM with a time of 4:17.81 - earning NCAA provisional qualifying times in each event. Smith contributed to the Gophers second-place finish in the 400 medley relay (3:43.10), swimming the breaststroke leg of the race. Smith was last named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on November 25, 2014.
In her first season with the Gophers, sophomore Zhou has already tacked on two Big Ten Diver of the Week honors. Zhou finished first on the three-meter board with a total of 341.47 points and second on the one-meter board with 307.95 points. She secured NCAA Zone Diving qualifying scores in each event against the N.C. State Wolfpack.
Smith and Zhou will next compete against Purdue and Northwestern in a Big Ten Triple Dual hosted at the Gophers' Jean Freeman Aquatic Center this Friday and Saturday.
Players Mentioned
Breaststroke
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