De Lucca and Worrell Named BIG EAST Swimmers of the Week
January 29, 2013 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 29, 2013
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Junior Joao De Lucca of Louisville was named BIG EAST Athlete of the Week in men's swimming and diving for the third time this season and freshman Kelsi Worrell of Louisville earned BIG EAST Athlete of the Week honors in women's swimming and diving in the ninth weekly awards of the 2012-13 season.
De Lucca led the Cardinals to a 152-148 victory over in-state rival Kentucky on Jan. 26. The junior took home first-place finishes in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyles. He won the 100 a full second ahead of the field with a mark of 44.64 and won by two seconds in the 200 with a time of 1:38.21. Needing a first-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay event to win the meet, De Lucca anchored the squad with a time of 43.99 as the team won in 2:47.74 to clinch the win for the Cardinals.
Worrell also won the 100 and 200 freestyles in the meet against Kentucky as Louisville won 168-132. The freshman finished a full second ahead of the field in the 100 free in 50.38 and bested the 200 field by two seconds with a mark of 1:48.40. She also had the fastest lead off in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 50.17. The team won the event in 3:22.46.
The 2012-13 Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week honors will be awarded throughout the season when at least half of the teams are participating. The next weekly awards will be announced on Feb. 5.
Notes From Around the League:
• Louisville and Notre Dame are ranked No. 17 and No. 19 respectively in the Jan. 16 women's CSCAA coaches' poll. The Cardinals are ranked No. 14 nationally in the men's Jan. 22 CSCAA coaches' poll.
• Junior Joao De Lucca of Louisville has the fastest time in the nation in the 200 freestyle with a mark of 1:32.57. He has the second fastest mark in the 100 freestyle with a time of 42.05 and the seventh fastest time in the 50 freestyle with a mark of 19.61.
• Sophomore Caryle Blondell of Louisville has the eighth fastest mark in the country in the 100 freestyle at 43.16 seconds.
• Sophomore Addison Bray of Louisville has the 10th best mark in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 1:55.82.
