Bradley Ally (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), who led the No. 5 University of Florida men’s swim team to three wins last weekend, was named the National Collegiate Swimmer of the Week for the week of December 31-January 6, as announced by CollegeSwimming.com. 

This marks the first time in Ally’s career that he has received such an honor and is the second time this season that a Gator has been named the National Swimmer of the Week.  Ally, a 2004 Olympian for his native Barbados, joins Clark Burckle (Louisville, Ky.) who won the award the week of November 14.

The 12-time All-American turned in several impressive performances against Purdue on January 4 and against the following afternoon as the Gators tangled with Purdue and Indian River Community College.  Ally totaled 19 points on Friday, thanks to a first place finish in the meet’s most important race of the night for the Gators, the 400 individual medley.  Ally turned in his second fastest time of the season at 3:54.33 to secure the win for Florida.  In addition to his win, Ally picked up two second place (200 breast and 200 medley relay) and one third place finish (100 breast). 

After leading the team in points Friday evening, Ally returned on Saturday to pick up two more first place finishes, this time in the 200 IM and 400 medley relay.  During the relay, Ally swam the second fastest breast stroke leg of the afternoon at 56.07 to give the Gators a bit of a cushion.  His time was also the second fastest 100 breast time of the season by a Gator.

Ally, who currently has the best time in the 200 IM by a Gator this season at 1:48.33, is ranked fifth in the Southeastern Conference in the event.  The junior is also ranked fourth in the conference with his time of 3:53.49 in the 400 IM, a time he achieved at the 2007 ConocoPhillips Short Course National Championships in November.

Florida will take this week off but will return to action on January 26 when they play host to defending national champion Auburn at 1:00 p.m. at the O’Connell Center.  Florida and Auburn have faced one another 34 times throughout the heated rivalry with the Gators holding a 21-13 advantage over the Tigers.