IRVINE, Calif. – For the third time this season, Cal State Bakersfield swimmer Vili Sivec was named The Big West's Male Athlete of the Week. The Roadrunners have now earned Athlete of the Week honors a total of six times with Sivec representing half of those nods.

A junior from Zabok, Croatia, Sivec represented the `Runners at the U.S. Open in Greensboro, N.C. this past week, posting multiple outstanding swims across the three-day meet.

Sivec qualified for the A-finals twice, becoming the U.S. Open Champion in the 200 Butterfly on Saturday. His time of 1:43.18 smashed his own CSUB record in the process. He also earned a fifth-place finish in the 200 Freestyle, racing against two Olympians in the final.

This is the seventh conference Athlete of the Week of Sivec's career after earning the honor twice earlier this season and twice each of his first two years.

The `Runners will continue the 2024-25 season with another pair of home dual meets on Dec. 18 (vs. UC Santa Barbara) and Dec. 21 (vs. UC San Diego). Come out to the Hillman Aquatic Center to root for Sivec and the `Runners; admission is free to CSUB Swim & Dive events!