Parsons earns first weekly MVC award

02/07/2017 | 1:44:00 | Swimming & Diving

By: By Drew Hoffman, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, ILL. - Southern Illinois' Samantha Parsons has been named this week's swimmer of the week in the Missouri Valley Conference. This is Parsons' first weekly honor in her young career. She is the first SIU freshman to earn the honor since Emma Brazeau did on Feb. 9, 2016.

Parsons wrapped up her first collegiate regular season on a high note. The freshman competed in three events in SIU's match against Evansville and placed in the top three in every one of them. Parsons started her day with the 100-yard medley relay, where she swam the second leg, helping them to a third place finish and to a time of 51.29. After the relay, she wouldn't be back in the pool till the 100-yard IM. The freshman recorded a time of 1:00.14, putting her at the top of the podium. For her final race of the day Parsons competed in the 50-yard breaststroke. Her time of 30.72 was the best time in the field and nearly a whole second faster than the second place finisher.