Lehigh University Athletics
Sophomore sprinters Ruffing and Willis garner Patriot League swimming awards
1/12/2015 3:02:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh's sophomore sprinters led the way for the Mountain Hawks in a pair of close losses to Army on Friday. On Monday Kaitlyn Ruffing and Jamal Willis were recognized for their efforts by being named Patriot League Female and Male Swimmer of the Week, respectively. Both Mountain Hawks swept the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events and broke one of their own Jacobs Pool records in Lehigh's first meet of the new year.
Ruffing earns her third Female Swimmer of the Week award this season. She won the 50 yard freestyle in 23.86 seconds against the Black Knights and later broke her own pool record in the 100 free, clocking in at 51.99 seconds. Ruffing is the defending Patriot League champion in the 100 free. She also helped Lehigh to an early lead by anchoring the 400 yard medley relay team that captured the first event of the meet. The team posted a time of 3:57.33, with Ruffing posting a 50.94 split in her leg.
Lehigh's women fell by 13 points to Army, despite winning six of the 11 swimming events. The Black Knights outscored the Mountain Hawks 26-0 on the diving boards to win the meet.
Willis garnered the first weekly award of his career after breaking his own pool record in the 50 free with a time 20.60 seconds against the Black Knights on Friday. He also won the 100 free in a time of 46.69 and anchored Lehigh's top-finishing 400 medley relay team. Willis shares the school record in the 50 free and competed in the event last month at USA Swimming AT&T Winter Nationals.
As a team, the Lehigh men won six events against Army, but the Mountain Hawks fell 141-98 to the Black Knights.
The Mountain Hawks will return to the pool on Saturday when they visit Loyola for a 1 p.m. meet. Lehigh's men will also compete on Sunday, with a 10 a.m. meet at NJIT on the schedule.
Ruffing earns her third Female Swimmer of the Week award this season. She won the 50 yard freestyle in 23.86 seconds against the Black Knights and later broke her own pool record in the 100 free, clocking in at 51.99 seconds. Ruffing is the defending Patriot League champion in the 100 free. She also helped Lehigh to an early lead by anchoring the 400 yard medley relay team that captured the first event of the meet. The team posted a time of 3:57.33, with Ruffing posting a 50.94 split in her leg.
Lehigh's women fell by 13 points to Army, despite winning six of the 11 swimming events. The Black Knights outscored the Mountain Hawks 26-0 on the diving boards to win the meet.
Willis garnered the first weekly award of his career after breaking his own pool record in the 50 free with a time 20.60 seconds against the Black Knights on Friday. He also won the 100 free in a time of 46.69 and anchored Lehigh's top-finishing 400 medley relay team. Willis shares the school record in the 50 free and competed in the event last month at USA Swimming AT&T Winter Nationals.
As a team, the Lehigh men won six events against Army, but the Mountain Hawks fell 141-98 to the Black Knights.
The Mountain Hawks will return to the pool on Saturday when they visit Loyola for a 1 p.m. meet. Lehigh's men will also compete on Sunday, with a 10 a.m. meet at NJIT on the schedule.
Players Mentioned
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
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