UM's Felix Aubock named 2017 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Freshman Felix Auböck of the University of Michigan men's swimming and diving team was named 2017 Big Ten Men's Swimmer of the Year on Tuesday (March 28) following a vote from the conference's head coaches.
Auböck recorded three top-10 individual finishes at last week's NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, including a runner-up finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle. His time of 14:22.88 is the second fastest in NCAA history and broke the previously held Big Ten and University of Michigan record by nearly four seconds. Auböck additionally took third in the 500-yard freestyle (4:08.95, the third-fastest time in school history) and 10th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:33.21). He set the school record in the latter in leading off the 800-yard freestyle relay last Wednesday (1:32.02).
Auböck, also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was a two-time Big Ten champion at the conference meet, winning the 500-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle. He also finished third in the 200-yard freestyle.
He is the 15th swimmer in program history to win the award, joining Dylan Bosch (2015), Connor Jaeger (2013-14), Dan Madwed (2012), Tyler Clary (2009-10), Alex Vanderkaay (2008), Peter Vanderkaay (2004-06), Dan Ketchum (2002), Chris Thompson (1999, 2001), Tom Malchow (1998), John Piersma (1997), Derya Buyukuncu (1996), Tom Dolan (1994-95), Marcel Wouda (1993) and Brent Lang (1988).
He joins Tom Dolan (1994) as the only swimmers in program history to win Big Ten Swimmer of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in the same season.
Anytime you have your name listed next to Tom Dolan's, you've done well for yourself.
Not bad for a frosh, it's kinda hard to better that mark but you will. I would point out that I have coached billions of swimmers in my lifetime yet without producing a single champion such as you.
Granted the Michigan program has been the gold standard of college swimming for more than 2 decades, but how impressive is it that the conference swimmer of the year has come from Michigan for 20 out of the last 25 years? Congrats to Felix and the Michigan men's team!
How weird is it that Mike Barrowman isn't on this list? He was the Big Ten male athlete of the year in 1991 among all sports, yet didn't win the award for his own sport? Bizarre.
14:22!? holding :52 per 100 free sixteen times!?
4:08?
1:32?
That is so absolutely ridiculously fast AND a freshman. I'd love to see how that kid trains to do what he does.
It's the only explanation.
What incredible range to hold the school record in both the 200 and 1650 freestyle.
Consider the people whose records he had to break to own the school record.
Felix. Great job. Congrats.