BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Senior John Loepfe and first year Maria Newton of the St. Olaf College men's and women's swimming and diving teams were named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Athletes of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.

Loepfe earned the MIAC Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season and third time in his career after receiving the accolade on Oct. 22, 2019 and Jan. 22, 2019, while Newton picked up the honor for the first time in her career. 

The senior won the 100-yard backstroke (52.96) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:58.87) at the St. Thomas Invite, and picked up St. Olaf's lone two event victories for the men's swimming and diving team. Loepfe was part of two second-place relays, including the 400-yard medley relay (3:36.76) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:18.50).

Newton won a pair of individual events, as well as a first-place 400-yard freestyle relay (3:41.93). The first year was first in the 100-yard freestyle (54.55) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.18), along with a second-place 400-yard medley relay (4:12.26).

This is the third time men's swimming and diving has received these honors this season, and Newton is the second from women's swimming and diving to receive this honor this season. 

The Oles back in action on Friday, Jan. 18, for duals against Saint John's and Saint Benedict.