Arizona’s Tomas Lukminas (men’s swimmer), Luke Hernandez (men’s diver) and Alexandre Desangles (men’s newcomer) were named the recipients of the Big 12 Men’s Swimming and Diving weekly awards. On the women’s side, Arizona’s Kayman Neal (women’s swimmer), Houston’s Michelle McLeod (women’s diver), and TCU’s Avery Dillon (women’s newcomer) rounded out the weekly honors for competition ending November 2.
Lukminas led the Wildcats to a strong showing in dual meets against SMU and TCU, collecting first-place finishes in the 50 freestyle (19.57), 100 freestyle (42.30), and contributing winning splits in the 200 free relay (19.65), 400 medley relay (42.02), and 400 free relay (42.22). The sophomore also posted an NCAA Division I qualifying time in the 100 free. It is his first Big 12 weekly award of his career.
Hernandez took home the 3-meter dive title against the Mustangs and the Horned Frogs with a score of 359.40 and placed second in the 1-meter dive (316.55). His scores rank 12th and 17th nationally, respectively, and he previously swept both events at the All-Arizona meet. Hernandez has finished in the top three in every event this season. This is his second Conference weekly recognition this season.
Desangles garnered three gold medals as he won the 100 (46.63) and 200-yard backstroke (1:42.29) and led off the victorious 400 medley relay (46.82). Arizona’s 400 medley relay performance was the 12
th fastest nationally this season. The freshman from Toulouse, France is the first Wildcat to be named the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Newcomer of the Week since joining the Conference in 2024.
Neal highlighted her weekend with first-place finishes in the 200 backstroke (1:54.38), 400 free relay (49.03 split) and 200 free (1:46.49) against TCU and SMU. Her 200 back time is the 26
th fastest in the NCAA this season, while the 400 free relay she contributed to sits at 18th. Neal also posted an NCAA Division I qualifying time in the 200 back and set a personal best in the 100 free. It is her second Conference weekly award of her career and the first Big 12 Women’s Swimmer of the Week accolade.
McLeod finished second in both the 1-meter (287.48) and 3-meter (308.63) events in Houston’s meet against Texas A&M. The junior is the second Cougar to be awarded multiple Big 12 Women’s Divers of the Week in the same season. It is her second Big 12 weekly award this season and third of her career.
Dillon earned two event wins and set a pair of top-10 program times against SMU and Arizona. The freshman swam the third-fastest time in TCU history in the 1650 free (16:35.14) and the third-fastest mark in the 500 free (4:50.09), to win both events. She also placed fifth in the 200 free (1:50.85) to complete her weekend.
Big 12 Swimming and Diving Weekly Awards- November 6
Men’s Swimmer of the Week: Tomas Lukminas, Arizona
Men’s Diver of the Week: Luke Hernandez, Arizona
Men’s Newcomer of the Week: Alexandre Desangles, Arizona
Women’s Swimmer of the Week: Kayman Neal, Arizona
Women’s Diver of the Week: Michelle McLeod, Houston
Women’s Newcomer of the Week: Avery Dillon, TCU