Army West Point Athletics
Crush and Manelis Earn Patriot League Weekly Awards After Dominant Performances
January 28, 2025 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Army West Point swimming & diving saw two of its ranks tapped for Patriot League Weekly awards after their performances against Loyola Maryland. Freshman Johnny Crush was named the Men's Swimmer of the Week for the sixth time this season while senior David Manelis earned the Men's Diver of the Week title for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
"I'm proud of these two young men who have worked so hard this year for our program. They have earned this honor thoroughly," commented Director of Swimming & Diving Brandt Nigro. "Their work is a reflection of our team as a whole and I couldn't be more proud of what they have done collectively to this point! Only 22 days remain until the Patriot League Championships, and we have more work to go!"
Manelis, a senior from Pittsburgh, Pa., earned first place on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, turning in two 300+ point performances with a 307.73 on the 3-meter board and a 320.18 showing on the 1-meter board. The finishes mark his first time earning first place on both boards in a single meet this season.
Crush earned his sixth Patriot League Men's Swimmer of the Week title in the 2024-25 season this week, tying the league record for most selections for the title in a single season alongside Navy's Adam Meyer ('10) and Mac Anthony ('12). He is the first men's swimmer in the Patriot League to receive the title at least five times in a season since the 2016-17 season.
A freshman from Louisville, Ky., Crush helped the Black Knights claim four of their 13 first place finishes against Loyola Maryland to defeat the Greyhounds 196-104. He contributed to an overall time of 1:25.12 in the men's 200 medley relay, earned a 45.83 in the men's 100 back, a 43.35 in the men's 100 free, before wrapping up the meet with a Crandall Pool record setting time of 1:19.62 in the men's 200 free relay as the leadoff swimmer in Army's designated A-group.
Crush's 100 back time is good for the second-fastest time in program history behind his own program record holding time of 44.53 set earlier this season. His 43.35 100 free time is good for the fourth-fastest time in program history, less than one second off his program-record setting time of 42.55 that he recorded with the team's dual meet with Navy in December as the leadoff swimmer in the men's 400 free relay.
Up Next
The Black Knights will compete in their final dual meet of the regular season on Friday, January 31 as they head to University Park, Pa. to face off with Penn State at McCoy Natatorium at 4:00pm EST.
"I'm proud of these two young men who have worked so hard this year for our program. They have earned this honor thoroughly," commented Director of Swimming & Diving Brandt Nigro. "Their work is a reflection of our team as a whole and I couldn't be more proud of what they have done collectively to this point! Only 22 days remain until the Patriot League Championships, and we have more work to go!"
Manelis, a senior from Pittsburgh, Pa., earned first place on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, turning in two 300+ point performances with a 307.73 on the 3-meter board and a 320.18 showing on the 1-meter board. The finishes mark his first time earning first place on both boards in a single meet this season.
Crush earned his sixth Patriot League Men's Swimmer of the Week title in the 2024-25 season this week, tying the league record for most selections for the title in a single season alongside Navy's Adam Meyer ('10) and Mac Anthony ('12). He is the first men's swimmer in the Patriot League to receive the title at least five times in a season since the 2016-17 season.
A freshman from Louisville, Ky., Crush helped the Black Knights claim four of their 13 first place finishes against Loyola Maryland to defeat the Greyhounds 196-104. He contributed to an overall time of 1:25.12 in the men's 200 medley relay, earned a 45.83 in the men's 100 back, a 43.35 in the men's 100 free, before wrapping up the meet with a Crandall Pool record setting time of 1:19.62 in the men's 200 free relay as the leadoff swimmer in Army's designated A-group.
Crush's 100 back time is good for the second-fastest time in program history behind his own program record holding time of 44.53 set earlier this season. His 43.35 100 free time is good for the fourth-fastest time in program history, less than one second off his program-record setting time of 42.55 that he recorded with the team's dual meet with Navy in December as the leadoff swimmer in the men's 400 free relay.
Up Next
The Black Knights will compete in their final dual meet of the regular season on Friday, January 31 as they head to University Park, Pa. to face off with Penn State at McCoy Natatorium at 4:00pm EST.
Players Mentioned
Back/Free/Fly
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Diving
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