Jan. 29, 2002

CHICAGO - TCU sophomore Erin Irons (Midland, Texas/Midland) has been named the Conference USA Swimmer of the Week for her efforts last week versus No. 9 SMU and C-USA rival Houston.

Irons closed out her dominant dual-meet season with four victories last week versus the Mustangs and Cougars. With the wins, the sophomore was the only Horned Frog to secure at least one individual triumph in all 13 of the campaign's dual meet.

Irons opened the final week of the regualr season as one of only two Horned Frogs to capture victory at SMU, claiming the meet's 50-yard freestyle title (24.30). She then closed out the campaign with two individual wins and a relay victory at Houston. Irons won the 100 (52.81) and 200 free (1:55.10) as well as having a hand in the Frogs' victory in the 200 free relay (1:38.51). In leading TCU to a 129-89 victory over Houston, Irons also helped secure the Horned Frogs' first-ever win in C-USA competition.

"This is a tremendous honor for Erin and for our program," TCU head coach Richard Sybesma said. "Erin has had an outstanding season, not just week, so this is definitely well-deserved."

For the season, Irons holds TCU's top times in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free, as well as swimming with the Horned Frogs' top 200, 400 and 800 freestyle and 200 and 400 medley relay squads. She also ranks in the top two on the squad in three more events (100 free, 100 and 200 back). Additionally, she has set the school record in the 200-yard freestyle and ranks in C-USA's top three in 11 different events.

Irons and the Horned Frogs closed the regular season with a 10-3 overall record. TCU will look to capture its first-ever conference championship when it travels to Indianapolis for the inaugural C-USA Championships Feb. 17-19.