Contact: Jeff Sattora

Cleveland, Ohio- Following a stellar weekend of performances at the first annual Magnus Cup Invitational, the Cleveland State Vikings' swimming and diving teams were able to pick up three of the four weekly Horizon League honors.

On the men's side junior Al Shillito and freshman Danny Roberts swept the Horizon League swimming and diving honors respectively, with junior Alexandra Johansson taking home the Horizon League female `Swimmer of the Week' honor.

Shillito, who also earned the male `Swimmer of the Week' honor once earlier this season, was a dominant force the entire invitational, a weekend that was highlighted by him breaking two school records. He first broke the 100 backstroke (49.13) record Saturday, and then the 200 backstroke record Sunday (1:47.04). Those two records were just two of the six wins the junior was able to bring home in the three days. Along with the wins mentioned above he also individually won the 50-yard backstroke (23.15), and was part of winning relays, the 800 freestyle relay (6:49.11), 200 medley relay (1:30.44), and 400 medley relay (3:19.74).

"Al is becoming a complete swimmer, he can swim any event and he can swim it well," said Head Swimming Coach Wally Morton. "He's responded well to the demanding swimming practices we've been doing and he's really been working hard every day. He's got a great attitude about swimming and he enjoys it and has fun with it."

On the diving side, freshman Danny Roberts continued his extremely impressive freshman campaign as he leads the Vikings' men's diving team. Roberts, who is the top Viking men's top diver on the year, took home a first place finish in both the 1-meter (300.40) and 3-meter diving (318.65) events at the Magnus Cup Invite. "Danny is a very talented diver, comes with a good resume, and it's just a matter of adapting to college," said Head Diving Coach Rich Karban. "So far he's adapted very well to the college atmosphere and the hard work is paying off, we're seeing some great results." 

While the men were able to sweep the awards, the women's team was able to be represented as well in Johansson. This is the first time this season that Johansson was honored by the Horizon League, and following her performance there is no doubt she deserved the recognition.

She was incredible all weekend long for the Vikings, leading the way for CSU women all three days. She was able to bring home one school record (100 backstroke in 55.67), and seven victories in total in the three days. The junior picked up two relay wins- the 200 freestyle and 200 medley, as well as five individual wins. Along with her 100 back record she individually won the 50-yard freestyle (23.54), the 100 butterfly (55.00), the 50 butterfly (24.73), and the 100 freestyle (51.14).

"The definition of Alexandra is she's a fierce competitor, she loves to win," Morton said. "She's able to focus on the things necessary to win prior to her races and eliminate all outside interference in attainment of her goals."

The Vikings will be off this week, and back in the pool next week as they head to the AT@T Winter National Championships at Austin, Texas November 29th through December 1st.