Trio of Mavericks Named TicketSmarter Summit League Peak Performers of the Week
Oct 17, 2023 | Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving
Omaha, Neb.-- Three Mavericks have earned TicketSmarter Summit League Peak Performer of the Week honors, as announced by the conference on Tuesday afternoon. Payton Easley garnered the Women's Swimmer of the Week, Ian Blackstock earned the Men's Diver of the Week, and Darby Drake was honored as the Women's Diver of the Week.
"Payton has been stepping up and figuring out not only how to be fast but how to be consistent," said Head Coach Jessica Hessel. "It's fun to see her celebrate and build confidence with this early success. For today, I hope she takes time to celebrate this small token of being selected Swimmer of the Week. Nothing is promised so we will stay humble, continue to work hard and push forward to the next challenge."
Easley earned her first weekly honors of the season after a dominant weekend against Rockhurst. Her first victory of the meet came from the 200-medley relay, where she anchored with a split of 22.95 in the 50 free. She followed that performance with three more wins. She posted a time of 23.83 in the 50-free ranking third in the Summit league and followed that with a short turnaround in the 100-free with a time of 52.19, taking the top time in the Summit League. Ending the meet she anchored the 200-free relay with a 23.22 split.Â
Blackstock has been honored as the team's first Men's Diver of the Week after posting a final score of 268.00 on the 1M with a degree of difficulty of 15.30. During the 3M dive, he totaled 328.60 points with a DD of 18.10. His score on 3M was above the 320 point mark required to qualify the zone meet. Blackstock became the first male diver in the program's history to secure a zone score. Â
Darby tabbed the Women's Diver of the Week honors after an impressive performance on the board this past weekend. In the 1M dive she earned a zone qualifying score of 306.80 with a 16.50 DD. She then continued she stellar performance in the 3M with another zone qualifying score of 298.25 with a 14.80 DD. This is the fourth consecutive season she has secured a zone meet score on 1M and her first time securing a zone score on 3M. Â
"This is great recognition for Darby and Ian this early in the season," said diving coach Eric Sprague. "Darby had her season cut short because of injury last year, she really attacked the rehab process and I'm glad she's diving better than she ever has. Â Ian is our dawg in Omaha. Â His work ethic and commitment are contagious. Â Ian becoming our first zone qualifier is very fitting and well deserved. Â
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"It's early in the year and I know these two will push for more results like this. Â Congrats Ian and Darby!"
This is Easley and Blackstock's second career Swimmer of the Week honors and Darby's sixth career weekly honors.Â
These three along with the rest of the Mavericks will dive back into action at the H&K pool on Oct. 27 for a meet against Augustana.
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"Payton has been stepping up and figuring out not only how to be fast but how to be consistent," said Head Coach Jessica Hessel. "It's fun to see her celebrate and build confidence with this early success. For today, I hope she takes time to celebrate this small token of being selected Swimmer of the Week. Nothing is promised so we will stay humble, continue to work hard and push forward to the next challenge."
Easley earned her first weekly honors of the season after a dominant weekend against Rockhurst. Her first victory of the meet came from the 200-medley relay, where she anchored with a split of 22.95 in the 50 free. She followed that performance with three more wins. She posted a time of 23.83 in the 50-free ranking third in the Summit league and followed that with a short turnaround in the 100-free with a time of 52.19, taking the top time in the Summit League. Ending the meet she anchored the 200-free relay with a 23.22 split.Â
Blackstock has been honored as the team's first Men's Diver of the Week after posting a final score of 268.00 on the 1M with a degree of difficulty of 15.30. During the 3M dive, he totaled 328.60 points with a DD of 18.10. His score on 3M was above the 320 point mark required to qualify the zone meet. Blackstock became the first male diver in the program's history to secure a zone score. Â
Darby tabbed the Women's Diver of the Week honors after an impressive performance on the board this past weekend. In the 1M dive she earned a zone qualifying score of 306.80 with a 16.50 DD. She then continued she stellar performance in the 3M with another zone qualifying score of 298.25 with a 14.80 DD. This is the fourth consecutive season she has secured a zone meet score on 1M and her first time securing a zone score on 3M. Â
"This is great recognition for Darby and Ian this early in the season," said diving coach Eric Sprague. "Darby had her season cut short because of injury last year, she really attacked the rehab process and I'm glad she's diving better than she ever has. Â Ian is our dawg in Omaha. Â His work ethic and commitment are contagious. Â Ian becoming our first zone qualifier is very fitting and well deserved. Â
Â
"It's early in the year and I know these two will push for more results like this. Â Congrats Ian and Darby!"
This is Easley and Blackstock's second career Swimmer of the Week honors and Darby's sixth career weekly honors.Â
These three along with the rest of the Mavericks will dive back into action at the H&K pool on Oct. 27 for a meet against Augustana.
Â
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & DivingTuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
