Nov. 24, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Florida State senior Andy Hodgson and freshman Kristine Polley were selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Performers of the Week, respectively, announced today. Hodgson and Polley each won three individual events and helped two winning relay teams at the eight-team Georgia Tech Invitational (Nov. 20-22), as both teams claimed first place at the meet. The No. 20 Florida State men’s team (Swimming World Magazine) topped fourth-ranked Florida and fifth-ranked Auburn, while the No. 25 women’s team also bested Florida (fifth) and Auburn (seventh). For the third straight week, men’s and women’s accolades are being swept by one school, as Virginia (Nov. 10) and Maryland (Nov. 17) each swept men’s and women’s honors the last two weeks.

Hodgson won three individual events and swam a leg on two first-place relay teams and one second-place group and totaled six national “B” cut qualifying times at the Georgia Tech Invitational. Hodgson clinch “B” cut times in the 100-yard (48.63) and 200-yard (1:42.90) backstroke, as well as the 200-yard freestyle (1:36.65) events. His 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle times are the top marks in the ACC this season, while his 48.63 time in the 100-yard backstroke ranks second. The Blackpool, England, native also helped the 200-yard freestyle (1:32.09) and 400-yard medley relay (3:14.84) teams take first-place finishes, and assisted the second-place 400-yard freestyle relay team’s finish in an ACC season-leading time of 2:59.83. All of Hodgson’s relay times made national “B” cut qualifying times.

Polley won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.26 and took first-place honors in the 200-yard breaststroke by clinching a “B” cut qualifying and ACC season-leading time of 2:14.23. She also placed second in the 200-yard individual medley, however, her 2:01.60 time ranks first in the league in 2009-10. The Marietta, Ga., native also helped the first-place 400-yard medley relay team achieve a “B” cut time of 3:42.61, and assisted the second-place team with a 1:42.20 showing, also a “B” cut time.

Florida State will return to action this evening at 5 p.m. at in-state rival Florida, whose men’s and women’s teams rank fourth and fifth, respectively.