Marshall University Athletics
Kuurto, Mulholland Named C-USA Swimmer, Diver of the Week
11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Nov. 1, 2005
IRVING, Texas - Seniors Milla Kuurto (Lohja, Finland/Lohja) and Casey Mulholland (Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius) were named the Conference USA Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively, as announced by the conference office Tuesday.
"We have worked hard all season and we didn't think we were where we wanted to be right now as a team," Marshall head coach Leonard Kraus said. "It's amazing for us to sweep the awards so early in the season.
"Hopefully, Milla and Casey's performances will give the girls and the rest of the team more confidence as the season progresses."
Kuurto won four events over the weekend during the Herd's three-meet weekend sweep, which increased Marshall's winning streak to four and improved its record to 5-1 on the season.
During the Herd's double meet victory Friday, Kuurto set the Duquesne Towers Pool record in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:33.62, which marks the third-best time posted this season amongst all C-USA swimmers.
"Milla is continuing to push and make herself better," Kraus said. "She has been relatively happy with her performances so far, but she wants more before the season's over."
Kuurto added a second victory in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:09.69, finishing three seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. In Saturday's win at Youngstown State, Kuurto grabbed first in the 100-yard freestyle in 54.40 and later won the 500-yard freestyle by an impressive 12 seconds (5:06.91). The senior also helped guide the Herd's 400-yard medley relay team to a victory (4:05.25) at Youngstown State by almost 10 seconds.
Mulholland, who won her first conference diver of the week award in her career, grabbed first place in the one-meter diving event, collecting 242.85 points at Youngstown State Saturday. It was Mulholland's fourth diving victory of the season and her third on the one-meter boards. Mulholland later posted a score of 230.30 in the three-meter boards at YSU.
"This is an outstanding accomplishment for Casey," Kraus added. "There were four scorers last year in C-USA and it says a lot for Casey to come out and be named diver of the week.
"She is learning a tremendous amount from our new diving coach, Lori (Meierbachtol)."
The Marshall Thundering Herd women's swimming and diving team will travel to Oxford, Ohio, to face former MAC foe Miami and the University of Illinois at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
