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Hribar, Bujak-Upton, De Villiers and Crush Headline SEC Swimming and Diving Honors for Week Seven

Published

5 days ago

November 11, 2026

SEC swimming action with Jere Hribar and Charlotte Crush among the Week 7 honorees.

Jere Hribar of LSU swimming in competition. Photo via LSU Athletics.

Record swims at LSU and Tennessee drove the seventh week of SEC swimming and diving honors. Jere Hribar set pool and school records against Auburn, and Charlotte Crush broke the SEC record in the 100 backstroke at the College Swimming League Championship.

SEC Swimming & Diving Athletes of the Week presented by Allstate – Week 7

Men’s Co-Swimmers of the Week: Jere Hribar, LSU and Koby Bujak-Upton, Tennessee

LSU’s Jere Hribar, a senior from Split, Croatia, won three individual events against No. 14 Auburn. Hribar set the pool record at the LSU Natatorium in the 100 free, improving his time to 41.15, the fastest in the country this season. He also set another school record in the 100 fly, clocking a time of 44.84, which is the second fastest in the NCAA this season. Hribar won the 50 free with a top time of 18.80 and swam the anchor leg of the 200 medley relay (1:23.66/17.97).

Tennessee’s Koby Bujak-Upton, a junior from Sydney, Australia, earned two podium finishes during the College Swimming League Championship. Bujak-Upton placed first in the 200 free with a time of 1:32.20, the second-fastest in the nation in the early part of the season. He followed it up with second place in the 500 free on a time of 4:15.20, the 13th best time nationally.

Men’s Diver of the Week: Max Spencer, South Carolina

South Carolina’s Max Spencer, a senior from Essex, England, took first place in both springboard events in the win over Florida State. Spencer recorded top scores of 343.73 on the 1-meter and a season-high 418.20 on the 3-meter.

Men’s Freshman of the Week: Drew Eubanks, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Drew Eubanks, a freshman from Happy Valley, Ore., collected two podium finishes at the College Swimming League Championship. Eubanks earned a third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, touching the wall with a time of 52.63. He was also a member of the 200 Medley relay team which finished third in the 4×50 Medley Relay Super Skins (1:25.67) and placed fourth in the 200 breaststroke with an NCAA-cut time of 1:53.50.

Women’s Swimmer of the Week: Michaela de Villiers, LSU

LSU’s Michaela de Villiers, a fifth-year from Cape Town, South Africa, won two individual events and was a part of two winning relays in the win over No. 19 Auburn. In de Villiers’ first meet this season, she set the pool record in the 50 free with her time of 21.85, the 15th fastest time in the NCAA. She also put up the 23rd fastest time in the country in the 100 free (48.11). In addition, de Villiers was a part of the 400 free relay squad which also set a pool record (3:13.64/48.34) and the 200 medley relay (1:34.96/21.33).

Women’s Diver of the Week: Maria Sanchez, Arkansas

Arkansas’ Maria Sanchez, a junior from Mexico City, Mexico, swept the springboard events in the tri-meet victories over Texas A&M and Illinois. Sanchez registered winning scores of 318.10 on the 1-meter and 352.25 on the 3-meter.

Women’s Freshman of the Week: Charlotte Crush, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Charlotte Crush, a freshman from Louisville, Ky., claimed four podium finishes at the College Swimming League Championship. Crush swam the fastest time in the nation to win the 100 back at 49.06, setting the school and SEC records in the event. She also took second in the 100 fly with a time of 50.29, the second fastest time in the nation, and in the 200 back with a time of 1:48.79, the fourth best time nationally this season. Crush was a member of the 200 free relay team that broke its own program record in the event, finishing with a time of 1:24.76.

Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

53 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

KJ Butler

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.