INDIANAPOLIS – Ashland and Hillsdale were each recipients of Great Midwest Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Athletes of the Week honors that were presented on Thursday morning.
 
Men’s Athlete of the Week
Francis Aleksi
Ashland
Junior
Tirana, Albania (Petro Nini Luarasi)
 
While competing in a preview of the combined conference championship meet with the Great Midwest and Mountain East, Ashland had a busy week that also included a dual against conference member Findlay.
 
Aleski had himself a memorable week with four different event wins in the 1,650 freestyle and 500 freestyle at Findlay while touching the wall first as a member of the 800 freestyle relay and 3x500 relay at Malone.
 
Ashland won the team title at the Great Midwest/MEC Relays in Canton, Ohio by beating five other teams in attendance.
 
Aleksi becomes the first swimming student-athlete from Ashland, male or female, to earn conference athlete of the week status in the sport.
 
Women’s Athlete of the Week
Leah Tunney
Hillsdale
Junior
Mequon, WI (Homestead HS)
 
Like Ashland, the Chargers had bragging rights as a team at the Great Midwest/Mountain East Duals in Canton, performing a clean sweep of victories for all 10 events scored.
 
Tunney contributed to four different winning relay groupings including legs on the 3x100 backstroke relay, 500 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and the 3x500 freestyle relay.
 
Tunney is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in the pool where she was first team all-conference in three different individual events and one relay.
 
She is the second Charger to earn conference athlete of the week honors in the young season, joining teammate Marie Taylor.