Contact: Kevin Zeise

Nov. 5, 2003

CLEVELAND - Pieter Pelser and Marianne Lionell were named the Horizon League's men's and women's swimming and diving Athlete of the Week after each setting a school record over the weekend, the league office announced late Tuesday.

Pelser, a sophomore from Krugersdorp, South Africa, opened the season for the Viking men by claiming the 100 backstroke school record in the opening leg of the 400 medley relay, posting a time of 50.33. For the weekend, Pelser won the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley against Miami on Friday, and turned in a victory in the 200 backstroke and a second-place finish in the 200 individual medley on Saturday against UW-Green Bay.

Marianne Lionell was named Horizon League Women's Athlete of the Week on Tuesday.

A freshman from Sodertalje, Sweden, Lionell claimed a school record of her own in the 200 breaststroke on Saturday against UW-Green Bay. Lionell took more than a second off the old mark and set the new standard at 2:22.72. She also won the 50 freestyle against the Phoenix, nearly setting a school record in that event as well.

The Vikings will head to St. Bonaventure on Saturday for a dual meet with the Bonnies at 1 p.m.