SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the third straight week, a Denver women's diver claimed an NCAA Zone Diving Cut as four student-athletes collected the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Men's and Women's Peak Swimmers and Divers of the Week honors, league officials announced on Tuesday.
Denver's Zora Opalka claimed the Women's Peak Diver of the Week, while teammate Jessica Maeda was tabbed the Women's Peak Swimmer of the Week for the second straight week. St. Thomas sophomore Joe Rudd earned his third career Men's Peak Swimmer of the Week, while South Dakota State senior Spencer Fritze picked up the Men's Peak Diver of the Week.
Rudd captured two second-place finishes in the 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly at the Minnesota Triangular. The Duluth, Minn., native swam the second fastest 100 breaststroke in program history with a time of 55.29. Additionally, Rudd swam the 11
th fastest 100 butterfly in Tommie history with a time of 51.01.
Maeda recorded a trio of individual wins and one relay win in a home dual meet against Colorado State. The Tigard, Ore., native claimed the 100 breaststroke title with a time of 1:02.58 and won the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:16.90. Additionally, Maeda's time of 2:05.15 in the 200 IM was good enough for first place. Maeda was also a part of the winning 200 Medley Relay team that posted a time of 1:43.12.
Fritze competed against St. Thomas and Minnesota to earn a pair of runner-up performances in both diving events. In the 1-meter dive, the Park Rapids, Minn., native scored a 264.40 and 275.05 in the 3-meter dive.
Opalka became the third straight Pioneer to set an NCAA Zone Diving Cut scores against Colorado State. The Bainbridge Island, Wash., native placed first in both the 1-meter (273.38) and 3-meter dive (288.68).
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Men's Peak Swimmer of the Week
Joe Rudd, St. Thomas
So. | Duluth, Minn.
- Took two second-place finishes at the Minnesota Triangular
- Swam the second-fastest 100 breast in Tommie history with a time of 55.29
- Recorded a time of 51.01 in the 100 fly, which is the 11th fastest in program history
- This is the third career peak performer award for Rudd
Also nominated: Andrew Herman (Eastern Illinois), Eric Anderson (South Dakota State).
Women's Peak Swimmer of the Week
Jessica Maeda, Denver
So. | Tigard, Ore.
- Recorded three individual events wins and one relay win in a dual with Colorado State
- Captured the 100 breast title with a time of 1:02.58 and claimed the 200 breast (2:16.90)
- Won the 200 IM with a 2:05.15 time and was a part of the winning 200 Medley Relay team that recorded a time of 1:43.12
- This is the third career peak performer honor for Maeda
Also nominated: Grace Urkiel (St. Thomas), Corinne Staneart (Eastern Illinois), Elisabeth Timmer (South Dakota State).
Men's Peak Diver of the Week
Spencer Fritze, South Dakota State
Sr. | Park Rapids, Minn.
- Placed second in both diving events against Minnesota and St. Thomas
- Scored a 264.40 on the 1-meter board and 275.05 in the 3-meter
- This is the sixth career peak performer award for Fritze
Also nominated: N/A
Women's Peak Diver of the Week
Zora Opalka, Denver
Gr. | Bainbridge Island, Wash.
- Swept both diving events and earned NCAA Zone Cuts in the 1-meter and 3-meter against Colorado State
- Scored a 288.68 in the 3-meter and 273.38 on the 1-meter board
- This is the fifth career peak performer accolade for Opalka
Also nominated: Aleni Stoakes (South Dakota State), Stella Fairbanks (South Dakota).
2022-23 Peak Swimmers & Divers of the Week
September 27
Men's Swimmer: Dismas Dillon, Eastern Illinois
Women's Swimmer: Corinne Staneart, Eastern Illinois
Men's Diver: N/A
Women's Diver: N/A
October 4
Men's Swimmer: Grant Waszak, Omaha
Women's Swimmer: Payton Easley, Omaha
Men's Diver: Lane Pollock, Southern Indiana
Women's Diver: Darby Drake, Omaha
October 11
Men's Swimmer: Joe Rudd, St. Thomas
Women's Swimmer: Emily Kahn, South Dakota
Men's Diver: David Molina-Fregenal, Lindenwood
Women's Diver: Elle Christie, Lindenwood
October 18
Men's Swimmer: Dylan Wright, Denver
Women's Swimmer: Elisabeth Timmer, South Dakota State
Men's Diver: Spencer Fritze, South Dakota State
Women's Diver: Kaelyn Hinsley, Denver
October 25
Men's Swimmer: Elliott Irwin, Lindenwood
Women's Swimmer: Jessica Maeda, Denver
Men's Diver: David Molina-Fregenal, Lindenwood
Women's Diver: Olivia Gordon, Denver
November 1
Men's Swimmer: Joe Rudd, St. Thomas
Women's Swimmer: Jessica Maeda, Denver
Men's Diver: Spencer Fritze, South Dakota State
Women's Diver: Zora Opalka, Denver
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