KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Cumberlands (Ky.) freshman Alexander Poulsen (Birkerød, Denmark) had an impressive debut for the Patriots, posting six wins and five national standards Oct. 17-18, becoming the second UC student-athlete in 2025 to claim NAIA Men’s Swimmer & Diver of the Week.
He began his Patriot career clocking a 44.29 in the 100 free, breaking the school record and with the second-fastest time in the NAIA. He followed that up with a 20.50 in the 50 free, which ranks 3rd in the NAIA.
Poulsen followed with a 50.16 in the 100 fly, which ranks fifth in the country. He was also part of three winning relays for UC over their two dual meets, both wins, over Shawnee State (Ohio) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).
NAIA Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Week is a bi-weekly award, with two breaks in the season. The next award is Nov. 12, followed by Dec. 17, and then Jan. 21 and Feb. 4.
Southern Oregon senior Sydney Perkins of Middleton, Idaho, has been named the NAIA Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week after a standout performance in the pole vault at the Linfield Open on May 2.
Adrianna Rodencal of Concordia (Neb.) has been named the NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week after a record-breaking, title-laden performance at the GPAC Championships on May 2.
Dakota State (S.D.) junior Amelie Steins has been named the Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week after a record-setting performance at the Frontier Multi-Events Championships on April 20.
Lindsey Wilson’s (Ky.) Hannah Reid has been named the Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week after a standout showing at the 2026 Jim Freeman / Clark Wood Open, held April 23–25 in Louisville.