Jan. 20, 2015
ROSEMONT, Ill. - For the first time in his decorated career, Penn State senior swimmer Nate Savoy (Reading, Pa.) has been named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. Savoy, who will be swimming in his final home meet this weekend, is coming off a solid performance vs. Yale, Jan. 16-17, in which he finished first in each event he competed in.
The five-time All-American was the fastest in the 100 back (48.65), the 200 back (1:47.08) and the 200 IM (1:50.51). He also helped three additional relay teams earn gold as he swam lead-off in the first place finishing 200 yard medley relay team (1:29.60) as well as the 400 free relay squad (2:58.98). He was in the same spot when it came to the 200 free relay team, which touched the wall in 1:21.66. Savoy has now been the fastest swimmer in a total of 10 individual events this season.
"It's an honor that is well deserved and demonstrates Nate's continued leadership both in and out of the pool," said head swim coach Tim Murphy.
Although this is the three-year letter winner's first Swimmer of the Week honor, he is no stranger to accolades based on his performance in the pool. During the 2011-12 season he was named Freshman of the Year by the Big Ten and went onto achieve All-America status in the 200 and 400 medley relay as well as the 100 back, becoming the first Nittany Lion to earn three All-America awards in a single championship season.
He has since garnered All-America status a total of two more times, both coming in 2012-13 during the 200 and 400 medley relays. As a team captain in 2014-15, he also carries the title of All-Big Ten first team member (2013-14), and four-time All-America honorable mention under his cap.
Additionally Savoy was named All-Big Ten second team in 2011-12 and has his name in the Penn State history books as he was a member of the record setting 400 yard medley relay team at the 2014 NCAA Championships (3:07.51).
Savoy is the first PSU swimmer to receive this type of recognition from the Big Ten since Shane Ryan took home SOW honors for the week of Nov. 12, 2013. He will be joined by eight other senior members of the men's swimming team who will be honored before this Saturday's meet with Navy at McCoy Natatorium.
Big Ten Release: http://bit.ly/1ymGyj9