Nov. 10, 2009

COLUMBIA – After a stellar performance in Friday’s meet at Tennessee, South Carolina’s Michael Flach was named the SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Flach, a native of Manakin-Sabot, Va., turned in a time of 3:59.12 in the 400-yard individual medley to win the race and post the ninth-fastest time in the country and second-fastest time in the SEC so far this season. Flach also posted season-best times in two other events, winning the 200 butterfly in 1:51.20 and taking second place in the 200 freestyle in 1:40.16.

It’s the first conference weekly honor for Flach, who has won seven of his individual races so far in his rookie season at South Carolina. And while the Gamecocks have garnered several diving honors recently, it’s the first time a Gamecock swimmer has earned an SEC weekly award since the 2007 season when Dominique Lendjel was named the league’s swimmer of the week.

South Carolina will compete in its final home meet of the fall season as it plays host to the Gamecock Invitational, which runs Nov. 19-21 at the Carolina Natatorium.