Calvin University junior Emma Merkel was named MIAA Women's Swimmer of the Week on Monday.
 
Merkel (Grandville, Mich./Grandville) won the honor for her performance at the MIAA Invite on Saturday, January 24, at Venema Aquatic Center.
 
At the league-wide event, Merkel won both the 200 Freestyle (1:52.5) and 200 Backstroke (2:01.2), with the 200 Backstroke time coming in under the 2025 NCAA III qualifying time in that event. She also swam a 23.2 split in the 200 Freestyle Relay, which was the fastest split at the meet.
 
Merkel's performance helped the Knights take first place at the event over the rest of the conference.
 
This marks the third time in Merkel's career that she has won MIAA Swimmer of the Week honors, including the second time this season. It also marks the second time she has won the honor in the same week as her brother, Jackson Merkel, won MIAA Men's Swimmer of the Week.
 
Calvin swimming and diving will return to action this weekend for a pair of events. It will compete at Grove City College on Friday, January 30, before facing Carnegie Mellon University and Denison University on Saturday, January 31, at Carnegie Mellon.