Swimmer BJ Hornikel Named SEC Freshman of the Week
10/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 12, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference Office announced that Alabama swimmer BJ Hornikel is the SEC Freshman of the Week after helping lead the Crimson Tide to a win over Auburn to open the season last Saturday.
"Several of our young guys stepped and had a strong showing Saturday and BJ certainly had a great meet to get his career going," UA head coach Eric McIlquham said. "Winning the 100 freestyle in his first collegiate meet, against some pretty stiff competition, is a good way to start and then leading off our 800 freestyle relay which finished our day with win was a nice cap to the meet."
Hornikel helped the Tide knock off the defending SEC Champions for the first time since 1993 by winning the 100 freestyle and leading off the Tide's winning 800 freestyle relay. The Goose Creek, S.C., native is ranked second in the league and sixth in the country in the 100 freestyle. He is ranked first in the 100 and 200 freestyle and second in the 50 freestyle in the SEC among freshman, standing only behind teammate Vlad Caciuc in the 50.
Caciuc and Alex Coci also posted wins on Saturday to get their UA careers off to a fast start. Caciuc won the 50 freestyle while Coci won the 200 butterfly. The Tide returns to action Saturday, Oct. 23 at home against LSU starting at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
