Completed Event: Men's Swimming and Diving versus Arizona Christian on December 13, 2025 ,
M Swimming
vs Arizona Christian
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Koens, Nikolaev receive Swimmer of the Week honors
1/17/2017 4:47:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon swimmers, Mark Nikolaev and Jovanna Koens, were both honored this week following their impressive performances against BYU. Koens was named Women's Conference Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com for the first time this season and Nikolaev received his fourth WAC Men's Swimmer of the Week award.
"Jovanna continues to show why she is the top ranked freestyle sprinter in the WAC and is very deserving of this recognition," Head Coach Steve Schaffer said.
Koens swam to first place in both of her individual events last weekend. She finished the 50-yard freestyle in 24.13 and the 100-yard freestyle in 52.25, the top ranked swims in the WAC. In addition, the senior from Huldenberg, Belgium assisted the women's 200-yard medley relay in a third place finish (1:47.49) and a second place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:31.32).
Nikolaev had an outstanding showing on the men's side with the highest ranked swims in the WAC according to CollegeSwimming.com and a new pool record in the 100-yard backstroke. He won all three of his individual events in the 100-yard backstroke (47.33), 200-yard IM (1:49.83) and 200-yard backstroke (1:48.14) and led the men's 200-yard medley relay to a second place finish (1:30.35). The sophomore from Seltso, Russia is currently ranked sixth in Division I in the 100-yard backstroke event.
"Mark is having a great season," Schaffer continued. "To set the BYU pool record untested at altitude is a really big swim and I am looking forward to seeing how he competes against top 25 competition at Notre Dame's Shamrock Invitational next week."
"Jovanna continues to show why she is the top ranked freestyle sprinter in the WAC and is very deserving of this recognition," Head Coach Steve Schaffer said.
Koens swam to first place in both of her individual events last weekend. She finished the 50-yard freestyle in 24.13 and the 100-yard freestyle in 52.25, the top ranked swims in the WAC. In addition, the senior from Huldenberg, Belgium assisted the women's 200-yard medley relay in a third place finish (1:47.49) and a second place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:31.32).
Nikolaev had an outstanding showing on the men's side with the highest ranked swims in the WAC according to CollegeSwimming.com and a new pool record in the 100-yard backstroke. He won all three of his individual events in the 100-yard backstroke (47.33), 200-yard IM (1:49.83) and 200-yard backstroke (1:48.14) and led the men's 200-yard medley relay to a second place finish (1:30.35). The sophomore from Seltso, Russia is currently ranked sixth in Division I in the 100-yard backstroke event.
"Mark is having a great season," Schaffer continued. "To set the BYU pool record untested at altitude is a really big swim and I am looking forward to seeing how he competes against top 25 competition at Notre Dame's Shamrock Invitational next week."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
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