Indiana Dominates Big Ten Swim & Dive Weekly Honors

For the second week in a row, Indiana University swimming and diving captured four of the six Big Ten weekly awards, showcasing their dominance across the board. The Hoosiers’ strong performances included a clean sweep of the men’s awards, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the conference.

Indiana had a stellar showing in their dual meet against Michigan on January 10, where both the men’s and women’s teams claimed impressive victories. Let’s dive into the standout athletes who earned Big Ten recognition for their exceptional efforts.

Big Ten Men’s Swimmer of the Week: Owen McDonald

Junior Owen McDonald continues to impress with another outstanding performance, earning his second consecutive and fourth Big Ten Swimmer of the Week award this season. McDonald dominated the backstroke events, replicating his success from the previous week’s meet against No. 4 Florida, and capped off his performance with a victory in the 200 IM. His victory sweep showcased his versatility and strength in the pool.

McDonald is currently ranked No. 2 nationally in the 200-yard backstroke (1:38.07) and 200 IM (1:40.86), and No. 4 in the 100 backstroke (44.93). His impressive rankings reflect his consistent excellence and his pivotal role in Indiana’s success.

Big Ten Women’s Swimmer of the Week: Anna Peplowski

Senior Anna Peplowski made a repeat appearance as the Big Ten Women’s Swimmer of the Week, securing her fourth career weekly award. Peplowski’s performance was nothing short of stellar, as she won the 100-yard freestyle (47.68), 200-yard freestyle (1:41.63), and 500-yard freestyle (4:38.56). Her 200 free time set the nation’s fastest time, marking a career milestone.

Peplowski’s ability to excel across multiple events is a testament to her versatility and her relentless drive, making her a key player in the Hoosiers’ continued success this season.

Big Ten Men’s Diver of the Week: Quinn Henninger

Senior Quinn Henninger was named Big Ten Men’s Diver of the Week after sweeping the springboard events during the dual meet against Michigan. Henninger’s outstanding performances included a dominant showing on the 1-meter board, where he scored 67.50 points or better from five of his six dives, finishing with a total of 428.10 points. He also excelled on the 3-meter board, winning by a 54-point margin and earning 436.05 points with two dives scoring 81 points.

Henninger’s consistent excellence on both springboards has been a critical asset to Indiana’s diving team, helping to propel them to continued success in the conference.

Big Ten Men’s Freshman of the Week: Miroslav Knedla

Freshman Miroslav Knedla earned Big Ten Men’s Freshman of the Week honors for his contributions to Indiana’s record-breaking performance. Knedla led off the 200 medley relay with an impressive 21.13 split, helping the team set a pool record and achieve an NCAA A cut time of 1:22.64. Individually, Knedla earned second-place finishes in both the 100 back (45.63) and 200 back (1:42.04), along with a fourth-place finish in the 200 IM (1:46.53).

Knedla’s ability to step up in key moments has been a game-changer for Indiana, as he continues to make an impact in his first season with the team.

Indiana’s performance this past weekend highlights the strength and depth of their swimming and diving teams. With a mix of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers, the Hoosiers are well-positioned to continue their dominance in the Big Ten and beyond. Their impressive achievements serve as a reminder of the power of teamwork and individual excellence, and they are certainly a team to watch as the season progresses.