Rice, Svärd earn NEC laurels

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Northeast Conference announced earlier today that junior Jillian Rice (Trumbull, Conn.) and freshman Elin Svärd (Falun, Dalarna, Sweden) were recipients of the league's Swimmer and Rookie of the Week awards, respectively.

Rice is coming off a four-win afternoon at Harvard, winning all three of her individual events and anchored the Bulldogs' winning 400 free relay team. Her times in the 50 free (24.40) and 200 free (1:54.73) topped all other times posted by NEC swimmers this weekend.

Svärd, who is the conference's Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, also won all three of her individual events. She won both the 100 fly (58.31) and 200 fly (2:11.66), as well as taking home first in the 200 IM (2:12.43). The freshman is also the conference's top time holder in the 100 fly this season.

Rice won the Bulldogs' third Swimmer of the Week honor, the Trumbull, Conn. native and with sophomore Alaina Scifo (Ipswich, Great Britain) taking home honors earlier this season.

Svärd's win is also Bryant's third Rookie of the Week, with Alexa Rivera (Boynton Beach, Fla.) winning the other honor in November of this season.

Bryant is back in the pool on Saturday when they take on Marist in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.