LEXINGTON, Va. – The first weekly league honors of the season come to VMI Men's Swimming, as a pair of Keydets earn Swimmer and Rookie of the Week awards as announced by the America East on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Sophomore Stephen Russell was voted Male Swimmer of the Week, while freshman Ian Lutz was named Male Rookie of the Week by the conference. This is the first weekly honor for both Russell and Lutz, and the second-straight season VMI has had a Rookie and Swimmer of the Week in the same week.
 
In the season-opening meet against Army, Russell put up league-best times in the 1,000 Freestyle (9:28.99), which is also a CSCAA B cut time, and 200 IM (1:53.38), earning second place in both races. Russell was also on the winning 200 Free Relay squad that took first against the Black Knights. Russell's 1,000 Free mark is a program top-10 time.
 
Lutz had a collegiate breakout moment against Army, tallying a top league time in the 100 Freestyle (45.73) to take second place. He later earned a 20.0 split in the winning 200 Free Relay and also helped the Keydets earn a top league time in the 200 Medley Relay (1:31.51). Lutz's 100 Free time ranks in the top 10 all-time at VMI.
 
The dominant performances from Lutz and Russell in the 200 Free Relay led to the fastest time in the conference (1:22.32).
 
Russell, Lutz, and the Keydets head to Emmitsburg, Maryland, for a dual against Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, October 11, starting at 1 p.m.
 
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