SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State and Southern Indiana earned Summit League Swimming and Diving Peak Performer of the Week honors following standout performances during the second weekend of the season, League officials released Tuesday.
 
The men’s honors mark the first career award for both USI’s Tyler Young and George Blake. On the women’s side, SDSU’s Gigi Hioki earned her fourth career accolade, while USI’s Marissa Schaefer also collected the first of her career.
 
MEN’S PEAK SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Young, Southern Indiana
Fr. | Backstroke/IM | Boise, Idaho

• Swept all his individual events against Valparaiso, winning the 50 backstroke (24.06), 100 backstroke (51.12) and 200 individual medley (1:53.57).
• Also led off the second-place finishing 200-medley relay versus the Beacons, swimming a 23.82 split in the 50 backstroke.
• Against UIC, Young set a new program record in the 200 backstroke (1:51.27) while placing third in the event.
• Also earned two more top-five finishes against the Flames in the 100 backstroke (51.29) and 200 individual medley (1:57.33)

Also nominated: Poyraz San Askin (Eastern Illinois), Cody Vertin (South Dakota State)
 
MEN’S PEAK DIVER OF THE WEEK
George Blake, Southern Indiana
Sr. | Dive | High Point, N.C.

• USI’s top finisher in both the 3-meter and 1-meter diving at UIC.
• Finished third in the 3-meter (251.85), setting a new personal best.
• He also set a new personal record in the 1M (262.13), finishing fourth.

Also nominated: Roman Billings (South Dakota State)
 
WOMEN’S PEAK SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
Gigi Hioki, South Dakota State
Sr. | Free | Honolulu, Hawaii

• Recorded six first-place finishes across two duals against Augustana over the weekend.
• On Friday, she took first in the 200 yard freestyle (1:54.24) and the 100 yard freestyle (52.70).
• On Saturday, she garnered first-place finishes in the 500 yard freestyle (5:12.47) and the 50 yard freestyle (24.78), while also anchoring the first-place 400 yard freestyle relay on Friday and the 400 yard individual medley on Saturday.

Also nominated: Jenna Patridge (Eastern Illinois), Lily Schneider (Southern Indiana)
 
WOMEN’S PEAK DIVER OF THE WEEK
Marissa Schaefer, Southern Indiana
Fr. | Dive | Elberfeld, Ind.

• Schaefer was the Screaming Eagles’ top finisher in the 3M against UIC and Northern Iowa, placing second with a 232.13 score.
• She also competed in the 1M, placing eighth with a score of 213.53.

Also nominated: Lily Davis (South Dakota State)
 
2026-27 Swimming & Diving Peak Performers of the Week
Oct. 6
MS: Mason Zadina, Omaha
MD: Owen Kipp, Omaha
WS: Addisyn Storms, Omaha
WD: Maya Kelly, St. Thomas
 
Oct. 13
MS: Tyler Young, Southern Indiana
MD: George Blake, Southern Indiana
WS: Gigi Hioki, South Dakota State
WD: Marissa Schaefer, Southern Indiana
 
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