Jan. 30, 2008
University Park, Pa. - Kelly Nelson was named the Big Ten Women's Swimmer of the Week after she excelled in Penn State's two dual meet wins last weekend to finish the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record in duals. Nelson won five of the six events that she swam in over the two meets. This is her second career weekly award from the Big Ten, as she was also the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week once last year.
On Friday against West Chester in Penn State's final home meet of the year, she won the 200 IM and was on the first place 200 free relay team while also finishing second in the 200 backstroke. Then, on Saturday, she swam to her fastest time of the year and her first NCAA `A' automatic qualifying time of the year in taking first place in the 200 butterfly in 1:58.48. The `A' time was the eighth `A' cut of the year for the women's team. Against Rutgers, Nelson also won the 500 free in an NCAA `B' time and was on the first place 200 medley relay team.
On the year entering next month's Big Ten Championships, Nelson has five NCAA `B' cuts in individual events, has swam on four relay teams that have `B' cuts, and has the one `A' time in the 200 fly.