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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Student-Athletes Academic Services (SAAS) announced Wednesday Kelsey Drake (women’s swimming & diving) and Alex Marinelli (wrestling) have been named December Student-Athletes of the month.
A native of Marion, Iowa, junior Kelsey Drake set a new school record in the 200 butterfly (1:58.18) at the Minnesota Invitational on Dec. 8. The following week, she broke the school record for a second time and swam to a Beyer Pool record in the dual win at Iowa State. Drake helped Iowa to their 10th straight victory over the Cyclones and was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week. Out of the pool, Drake has completed about 150 volunteer hours thus far with multiple agencies including Habitat for Humanity, Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Day of Caring, River Run, Dance Marathon, and more.
The women’s swimming and diving team host Notre Dame on Saturday, Jan.11. The first race kicks off at 11 a.m. (CT).
Junior Alex Marinelli, native of Miamisburg, Ohio, went 8-0 in the month of December with four wins over ranked opponents and five pins. He is currently ranked No.2 nationally at 165 pounds. On Dec.30, Marinelli won his third straight Midland Championships. He became the 14th Hawkeye to win three or more Midlands Championships. For the second time in his career, he was named the Midlands Champion of Champions. Marinelli won awards for most falls (4) and high tournament point total (29). He joined the Midlands’ prestigious 20-in-4 club, which requires wrestlers to record at least 20 wins in their first four years of competition. Off the mat, Marinelli volunteers with the American Legion.
The wrestling team travels to Bloomington, Indiana, to compete against the Hoosiers on Jan. 10. The meet starts at 6 p.m. (CT).
