University of Massachusets Athletics
Moliere Named A-10 Performer Of The Week
October 26, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 26, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Senior men's swimmer Juan Moliere was recognized for his efforts in UMass' first two meets of the season on Monday when he was named the Atlantic 10's first Performer of the Week of the swimming & diving season. The Puerto Rico native has two individual wins, two second-place finishes, and been part of two winning relay teams.
This is Moliere's third career A-10 Performer of the Week award. Being the first of the season, it is inclusive of all meets up to this point. His previous honors came on Oct. 27, 2008 and Oct. 22, 2007.
Moliere overshadowed his impressive individual victories in the sprints by leading an incredible comeback victory in the final event of the day, the 200 free relay, to give the Minutemen a dramatic 153-147 victory over Boston University in the season-opening meet at the Joseph Rogers Pool. BU held a three-point advantage going into the final relay. The Terriers had a slight lead in the race when Moliere, swimming UMass' anchor leg, took the water. The Puerto Rico native ran an inspired leg, completing the comeback win by out-touching BU's Jackson Hill by .12 seconds. Earlier in the meet, Moliere swept the sprinting events, winning the 50 free in 21.32 and the 100 free in 47.27. He also swam the final leg of UMass' second-place 200 medley relay team, making him a part of 33 of the Minutemen's points.
Moliere followed up his great performance against BU with another solid meet against Army on Oct. 24. The senior notched two second-place finishes in sprint events, finishing the 50 free with a time of 21.32 while finishing the 100 free with a time of 46.85. Moliere also swam the anchor leg of the 400 freestyle relay, helping the team take first place with a time of 3:07.88 and giving the senior 19 total points on the day.
Head coach Russ Yarworth's Minutemen return to action on Saturday when they host Stony Brook at 1 p.m. at the Joseph Rogers Pool.