After breaking the school record in the 1-meter springboard at the Hawkeye Invitational over the weekend, Hawkeye freshman diver Will Brenner has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Brenner posted a score of 365.00, besting the old record by seven points.  The performance was good enough for the NCAA zone qualifying standards, and earned Brenner the individual title for the event.

Brenner’s win, among many others, helped the Hawks on the way to their dominating Hawkeye Invitational team title after compiling 923 points, their second-straight win in the event.

UI diving coach Todd Waikel was very pleased with Brenner’s Invitational performance, saying that it’s a sign of things to come for the Ypsilanti, Michigan native.

“I’m proud of Will.  It is fantastic for him to be recognized with this honor,” Waikel said in a release. “His performance was a surprise this early in the season, but it shows how talented he is.

“This is the tip of the iceberg for Will, and I think you’re going to see a lot greater diving to come.”

Brenner will have the opportunity to continue his stellar freshman season on Jan. 23 when the Hawkeyes return to the water at Northwestern.

— by Jake Mosbach