Pac-12 announces women's swimmer and diver of the month

CALIFORNIA’S PELTON, UCLA’S POLYAKOVA NAMED PAC-12 WOMEN’S SWIMMER AND DIVER OF THE MONTH

SAN FRANCISCO – CALIFORNIA junior Elizabeth Pelton was named Pac-12 Women’s Swimmer of the Month and UCLA’s Maria Polyakova the Pac-12 Diver of the Month for December, the Conference office announced today. 

Pelton (Towson, Md.), swam Cal to a second-place showing at the Georgia Invitational, Dec. 5-7, to vault the Golden Bears to No. 1 in the national rankings. The junior won two events in NCAA-leading times – 200 back and 200 individual medley – finished runner-up to teammate Missy Franklin in the 200 free, and tied for third in the 100 back. Her 200 free time (1:43.13) ranks third in the country. Additionally, Pelton swam anchor on Cal’s winning 800 free relay, and the Bears’ time of 6:55.95 leads the nation by more than five seconds.

Polyakova (Penza, Russia), continued her outstanding start to her collegiate career, setting a school record in the 3-meter at the Georgia Fall Invitational. Coming off a November in which she won four of her six events, eclipsing the 300-point mark in all six, Polyakova started the invitational with a win in the 3-meter on Dec. 5 for her fifth victory of the season. Polyakova set a new school record with a total of 361.60 to win the event by nearly 30 points. The following day, Polyakova had a third-place showing in the 1-meter (283.25).

This is the second-career Swimmer of the Month honor for Pelton and the 13th overall for California, the most of any Pac-12 school since the award’s inception. 

Also Nominated:

Swimming: Bonnie Brandon, ARIZ; Jorie Caneta, ASU; Linnea Mack, UCLA; Andrea Kropp, USC; Stina Colleou, UTAH

Diving: Samantha Pickens, ARIZ; Mara Aiacoboae, ASU; Haley Ishimatsu