WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons University's Laura Simpson (Perkiomenville, Mass.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women's Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Week for the week of October 15-21, it was announced today by the league. 

The honor marks the third time in her career that Simpson has been named the GNAC's top weekly swimmer, having previously been named once during both her junior and sophomore campaigns. 

Simpson won both individual events that she competed in and helped the Sharks to a second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay in a 168-132 dual meet victory over host Westfield State University on October 21. 

The senior placed first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:05.44 to win by almost four seconds. The Boyertown High School product later swam to victory by more than six seconds in the 500-yard freestyle with a mark of 2:15.32. Simpson began the meet by swimming the anchor leg in the 200-yard medley relay and helped Simmons to a time of 1:58.69 to place second. 

Simpson has won 45 races during her career with the Sharks and has been named to the GNAC All-Conference Team in each of her previous seasons with the Sharks. She currently holds the school record in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:52.32 and was a part of the Simmons school record for the 800-yard freestyle relay. She also owns the GNAC Championship record for both the 400-yard IM and the 1000-yard freestyle. 

The Sharks return to the pool on Saturday, October 27 when they host Gordon College and Elms College in a double-dual meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Holmes Sports Center Natatorium.