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PITMAN — The New Jersey Athletic Conference has officially unveiled its men’s swimming and diving weekly honors for the week concluding on November 24.
SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
JACK WATSON • Rowan University
5th Year • Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East
Watson has received the distinguished title of NJAC Swimmer of the Week for the second consecutive time, following a remarkable performance at the Franklin & Marshall Invite this past weekend. He achieved an impressive four NCAA ‘B’ cut times and set a new school record. On Friday, he established his first NCAA ‘B’ cut time in the 200 Individual Medley with a swift time of 1:50.31, which also stands as a new school record. Continuing his momentum on Saturday, Watson finished the 100 backstroke in a remarkable time of 47.63, marking this as the second-fastest time recorded in the nation so far this season. On the following day, he secured another ‘B’ cut time with a stellar performance in the 200 backstroke, clocking in at 1:48.81, while also playing a crucial role as the leadoff swimmer in the 200 medley relay, where his impressive split of 44.82 contributed to his four ‘B’ cuts over the weekend. The Profs notably finished in a commendable second place overall at this competitive multi-team event.
DIVER OF THE WEEK
THOMAS CABLE • US Merchant Marine Academy
Junior • Litchfield Park, AZ/Verrado
Cable has garnered his first NJAC Diver of the Week accolade after a stellar performance on the 1-meter board at the TCNJ Invitational held on Sunday. He achieved victory with an impressive NCAA qualifying score of 458.90, which currently ranks as the third-highest score recorded in Division III for this season. Earlier during the weekend, he showcased his diving prowess by finishing third on the 3-meter board, posting a strong score of 425.25.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
MASON POTTS • Salisbury University
Freshman • Lansdale, PA/North Penn
Potts has been honored as NJAC Rookie of the Week for an impressive fifth time in just seven weeks, demonstrating his significant impact in the sport. He returned with an impressive collection of medals and made a significant mark in the Salisbury record books, leading the Sea Gulls to a resounding team victory at the seven-team, three-day Yellow Jacket Invitational. Throughout the event, he achieved three NCAA ‘B’ cuts in multiple events (100 fly, 100 free, 100 back), with his remarkable performance in the 100 fly, finishing with a time of 48.51 that ranks as the seventh-fastest in Division III this season. His outstanding performance in the 100 back ranks him 10th nationally. Additionally, he medaled in seven separate events, claiming five gold medals (100 fly, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay) and two silver medals (100 free, 100 back). Potts also shattered an astounding 10 program records at the meet, setting new top marks across numerous events, including the 50 free, 200 free relay, 400 medley relay, 50 back, 50 fly, 100 back, 100 fly, 200 medley relay, 100 free, and 400 free relay.
What strategies does Jack Watson use to maintain high performance across multiple swimming events?
**Interview with Jack Watson, NJAC Swimmer of the Week**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us today, Jack! Congratulations on being named the NJAC Swimmer of the Week for the second consecutive time. How does it feel to achieve this honor again?
*Jack Watson:* Thank you! It feels incredible to be recognized again, especially after such a competitive meet. It really validates all the hard work I’ve put in with my training and in the pool.
*Interviewer:* You had an outstanding performance at the Franklin & Marshall Invite, managing to set a new school record and achieving four NCAA ‘B’ cut times. Can you tell us more about your mindset going into this competition?
*Jack Watson:* Definitely! Going into the meet, I was focused on executing my races as best as I could. I tried to stay relaxed, but I also acknowledged that I wanted to make a strong impact. Setting a school record in the 200 Individual Medley was a huge boost for me, and it set a positive tone for the rest of the weekend.
*Interviewer:* Your time of 1:50.31 in the 200 IM not only set a new school record but also showcased your versatility. What aspects of your training do you think contributed most to that performance?
*Jack Watson:* I credit a lot of it to my coaches and the specific training sessions we’ve done. We’ve been focusing on endurance and speed work, and I think that combination really paid off. Plus, my teammates help keep the energy high during practice, which definitely motivates me.
*Interviewer:* You followed up with impressive times in the 100 and 200 backstroke as well. How do you maintain such a high level of performance across multiple events?
*Jack Watson:* I think it’s all about building the right technique and staying in the moment during each race. I try to break down each swim into segments and focus on executing them well, rather than worrying too much about the overall meet and how I’ll perform throughout.
*Interviewer:* Your team, the Rowan Profs, finished second overall at the Invite. How does team performance motivate you individually?
*Jack Watson:* Team performance is everything. Knowing that our success relies on each other pushes me to give my best in every race. We have a really supportive group, and we all compete for each other. It’s not just about individual accolades; it’s about the team.
*Interviewer:* Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
*Jack Watson:* I am definitely aiming to improve on my times, particularly as we get closer to championship season. I want to keep pushing for those NCAA qualifying marks, and as a team, we want to compete for a conference title.
*Interviewer:* That sounds like a solid plan! Thank you so much for your time, Jack, and best of luck with the rest of the season!
*Jack Watson:* Thank you! I appreciate it!
