WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons University senior Aine Scholand (Albuquerque, N.M.) named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women's Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Week for the week of October 14-20, it was announced today by the league. 

Scholand earns the honor for the fifth time in her career and is the first Shark to capture the top weekly honor since Kerry Fleming (2015-19) was tabbed for the week of February 18-24, 2019. 

Scholand dominated the distance events for Simmons in its only dual meet of the week, winning both the 1000 and 500-yard freestyle races in addition to helping the Sharks win the 200-yard freestyle relay vs. host Division I Merrimack College on October 19 in Simmons' season opener. The Sandia High School product cruised to a 19-second victory in the 1000 with a time of 11:12.23, before taking home first place in the 500 with a mark of 5:29.52 to win the event by more than seven seconds. The Neuroscience and Behavior major capped the meet by swimming the lead leg of the Sharks' winning 200-yard freestyle, helping her quartet record a time of 1:45.53. 

For her career Scholand has been named All-America in each of the last two seasons, earning First Team accolades as a sophomore and Honorable Mention recognition last year. The New Mexico native has also been selected the GNAC Women's Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year in both years with Simmons and is the only competitor in school history to compete in three different events at the NCAA Championship in one season. She owns three individual school records in the 1650, 1000 and 500-yard freestyle and helped the Sharks establish a school standard in the 800-yard freestyle relay. 

The Sharks are currently 0-1 on the season and return to the water on Saturday, October 26 when they host Westfield State University at 4:00 p.m. in their home opener.