Oct. 21, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - Olympians Arni Mar Arnason (Msfellsbaer, Iceland) and Erla Dogg Haraldsdottir (Njardvik, Iceland) were named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Men's and Women's Swimmers of the Week respectively. Arnason won three events in the Monarch's win over William & Mary, including a school record in the 100 breast, while Haraldsdottir took home four events against the Tribe.

Arnason, a freshman from Msfellsbaer, Iceland and a member of the 2008 Icelandic Olympic team, won three events in ODU's victory over William & Mary. In the 100 breast, Arnason not only set a new William & Mary pool record, but also a new ODU school record, with a time of 55.63. He broke the Monarch record of 56.67 set by Johan Lundberg last season and the pool record of 57.80 by Matt Layne of UNC Wilmington last January. Arnason won his second event in the 50 free with a time of 21.03, which places him in the ninth spot in ODU history. Lastly, he was a member of the 400 free relay squad which placed first in a time of 3:08.64.

Haraldsdottir, a freshman from Njardvik, Iceland and a member of the 2008 Icelandic Olympic team, won four events against William & Mary - 200 medley relay, 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM. In the 200 medley relay, Haraldsdottir and her teammates posted the second fastest time in ODU history at 1:47.68. She placed first in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:05.84 to place her fifth all-time in the Lady Monarch record books. Finally, she recorded the seventh fastest ODU time in the 200 breaststroke, stopping the clock at 2:24.30.

The Old Dominion men's and women's swimming and diving teams return to the pool on Friday, October 31st and Saturday. November 1st in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Monarchs will compete against Drexel and William & Mary, while the women will take on the Dragons and Tribe, as well as James Madison and Northeastern.