Nov. 19, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - -

Contact: Julie Farr DeLima

Cleveland State freshman Mark deSwardt earned his second Horizon League Swimmer of the Week honor this season after winning five events and penciling his name among CSU's all-time Top 10 in three difference events. The league made the announcement on Tuesday (Nov. 18) afternoon.

"Mark had an outstanding week of swimming. He was able to work on some of his off events on Tuesday night at the City College Meet and then concentrate on the Miami/Notre Meet on Saturday," head coach Wally Morton said. "I was very pleased with how fast he swam since the meet format had little time between his events. His 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle events were only about five minutes apart and I thought the 500 time was very impressive under the circumstances. His three individual wins against both Miami and Notre Dame were some of the highlights of the meet and helped us defeat Miami and outscore Notre Dame in the swimming events. Mark still has room for improvement and will keep getting better with continued hard work and dedication."

deSwardt won the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:20.21) in the third-fastest time in CSU history while also leading a 1-2-3 finish in the 200-yard individual medley for the Vikings (1:55.60) at the City College Championship. Both times were season best times for the Vikings.

In the double dual against Notre Dame and Miami, he won the 200-yard butterfly (1:51.38), the 500-yard freestyle (4:33.92) and the 1,000 (9:24.64). His 500 freestyle time was a season-best and the eighth-fastest in school history while his 200 butterfly was the ninth-fastest in school history and a season best.

deSwardt and the Vikings will be in action on Tuesday (Nov. 25) when they host Ohio State.