NAPERVILLE, Ill. – After outstanding performances at two events this past weekend, Augustana freshman Aviana Zahara (Pleasant Valley HS, Moline, Ill.) has been named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Swimmer of the Week.
 
On Friday, November 16 in the Vikings' 168-34 dual meet victory at Monmouth, Zahara set a Pepper Natatorium record with a winning :54.65 clocking in the 100 freestyle. She also won the 50 freestyle in :25.09 and led off winning the 200 medley relay, which finished in 1:57.02.
 
On Saturday, November 17 at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational, Zahara helped lead Augustana to a third-place finish. She won the 100 backstroke in :58.93—a time that ranks among the top 10 in NCAA Division III so far this season. She was also third in the 50 freestyle (:25.14) and swam the leadoff leg of the Vikings' 200 freestyle (1:41.73) and 200 medley (1:52.17) relays, both of which finished third.
 
All three of Zahara's individual winning efforts over the weekend are Augustana season bests. Her 100 backstroke best ranks second in school history and her 100 freestyle best is ninth all-time.
 
The daughter of Renee and James Zahara of Moline, Illinois, Aviana is pursuing a neuroscience major at Augustana.