CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Luther College swimming and diving student-athletes were once again dubbed some of the best in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C). After both the men's and women's teams swept Loras College on Saturday, two Norse swimmers were named the A-R-C Swimming and Diving Athletes of the Week for the first time in the 2022-23 season. Sophomore Nico Shrestha (Minnetonka, Minn. / Hopkins) was named the Male Swimming Athlete of the Week, while Madeline Shea (Minneapolis, Minn. / Minnehaha Academy) took home Female Swimming Athlete of the Week honors. 

Shrestha earned his first Athlete of the Week honor of his career after winning three events in Luther's 156-82 win over Loras. The sophomore picked up individual wins in the 1000 freestyle and 100 butterfly while also anchoring the first place finishing 200 freestyle relay team. In his season debut in the 1000 free, Shrestha won the event with a time of 11:07.23, earning nine points towards the Norse overall team score, before claiming first place in the 100 fly with a time of 55.07. He then anchored the 200 freestyle relay team to a first place finish, swimming a split of 22.46 to help the team finish with a time of 1:30.72. 

Shea shined in her first meet of the 2023 calendar year, guiding Luther to a 181-48 victory over Loras. The junior swept the distance races for the Norse, claiming titles in both the 1000 and 500 freestyle races. In her season debut in the 1000, Shea won the race by over two minutes thanks to her time of 11:27.77 before winning the 500 in equally dominant fashion. The junior carded a time of 5:38.43 in the 500, winning the race for the first time in 2022-23. 

Shrestha, Shea and their teammates will be back in action this weekend, as Luther hosts the Norse Sprint Invite on Saturday, January 14. Diving will take place at 11:00 a.m. with swim events to follow at 1:00 p.m.