George Washington, Duquesne Collect Swimming and Diving Weekly Awards

10/21/2025 4:30:00 PM

WASHINGTON – George Washington senior AJ Wood and his freshman teammate Andres Brooks were named Under Armour Men’s Swimming and Diving Performer and Rookie of the Week, respectively. George Washington senior Ava Toploewski was named Under Armour Women’s Swimming and Diving Performer of the Week, while Duquesne freshman Lucy Backus earned Rookie of the Week. The awards, which were announced on Tuesday, are for competitions from October 13 to October 19.  

In George Washington’s Dual Meet Tournament in duals vs. Georgia, Minnesota and Army, Wood won the 100-yard freestyle (44:41) against Minnesota. He then claimed silver in the 100-yard freestyle (44.28) and 50-yard freestyle (20.64) against Army and Georgia, respectively. Wood, who is from San Antonio, TX, holds the fastest 100-yard freestyle (44.28) in the conference.  

Competing in the Dual Meet Tournament, Brooks claimed gold against Army in the 200-yard butterfly. He swam to a time of 1:47.32, which ranks seventh in GW history. He also secured bronze in the 500-yard freestyle (4:35.05) vs. Army and the 100-yard butterfly (48.57) vs. Georgia. Both of the Austin, TX native fly times are the fastest in the A-10.  

Topolewski won two gold medals in the Dual Meet Tournament. She swam to first place in the 500-yard free against Georgia (4:48.36) and Army (4:47.33). The Hometown Grand Prairie, TX native holds the fastest time in the conference for the 500-free (4:47.33) and 27th in Division I. Topolewski also finished second in the 500-free against Minnesota (4:48.02). 

Backus, a Keller, TX native, made an impressive collegiate debut at the Richmond Duals. She collected eight total medals on the weekend, including three individual golds. Backus opened the meet with a win in the 50-yard freestyle (23.58) before adding another gold in the 100 freestyle (52.13). On day two, Backus won the 50-yard freestyle (23.76) and finished second in the 100 freestyle (52.32). Her 50-free time of 23.58 ranks third in the conference.  

2025-26 Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Performers of the Week 

DATE 

MEN’S PERFORMER 

MEN’S ROOKIE 

WOMEN’S PERFORMER 

WOMEN’S ROOKIE 

9/29/25 

Dylan Felt, DAV 

Henry Shoemaker, DAV 

Elle Jacobsen, DAV 

Anya Bruggeman, SLU 

10/7/25 

David Vargas, FOR 

Ryan Servia, GM 

Karina Kanary, FOR 

Peyton Brehmer, GM 

Campbell Stever, FOR 

10/14/25 

Brae Sanchez, SLU 

Quinn MacPhail, FOR 

Olivia Winslow, URI 

Kate Hill, SBU 

10/21/25 

AJ Wood, GW 

Andres Brooks, GW 

Ava Topolewski, GW 

Lucy Backus, DUQ