University of Missouri–St. Louis freshman Felix Kusnierz and senior Ellen Fix were recently named the PNC Great Lakes Valley Conference Athletes of the Week in the sports of men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

Kusnierz, an engineering major, shined during the competition at the Christmas Invitational, hosted by Arkansas-Little Rock. He won the 500-yard freestyle, posting an NCAA B-cut time and new school record in 4:34.12. On Dec. 6 he won the 200 Butterfly in 1:52.08 just shy of another NCAA B cut but improved on his own school record from the morning prelims. The Essen, Germany, native was an essential key for both relays where he helped both the 400 Freestyle and 800 Freestyle relay teams to runner-up finishes.

Fix, who is majoring in education with an emphasis in special education, impressed by establishing school records in the 200 Freestyle, 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle at the UALR Christmas Invitational. The St. Louis native posted season highs in the 50 and 100 Freestyle as well as 100 Backstroke, while helping the team to a sixth-place finish in the event.

The two weekly honors are the first-ever for the UMSL Tritons program, which is in its first season of competition in the GLVC.