Gustavus sophomore has repeated as MIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Year.
Gustavus Adolphus sophomore swimmer Ben Hanson (Minnetonka,Minn.) has been named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive season following a three-win individual performance at the MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships last weekend. Hanson defended the 200-yard, 500-yard, and 1650-yard freestyle titles he won a year ago.
In Thursday’s 500-yard freestyle, Hanson automatically qualified for next month’s NCAA Division III Championships with a school- and meet-record clocking of 4:32.46. On Friday, Hanson defended his 200-yard freestyle crown with a provisional qualifying time of 1:41.64. The mark also broke school and meet records. Hanson capped off the Championships with a successful defense of his crown in the 1650-yard freestyle by breaking his own meet and school record with a provisional qualifying time of 15:54.62.
In addition, Hanson also anchored the first-place Gustavus 800-yard freestyle relay team that established a new meet and school record with a provisional qualifying time of 6:50.40. Hanson also swam on the runner-up 200-yard medley relay team that posted a provisional qualifying time of 1:33.89. The Gusties won their fifth straight team title, out-distancing runner-up St. Olaf, 867-802.
Hanson, a 2004 graduate of Minnetonka High School, is the son of Steve and Melissa Hanson of Minnetonka.