CLEVELAND, OH - University at Buffalo student-athlete Aviv Oren (Rishon Le-Zion, Israel/Makif A') has been named to the Mid-American Conference's 2003 men's swimming and diving Academic All-MAC team. Oren is one of 15 honorees selected by the faculty athletic representatives at the six member institutions that sponsor men's swimming and diving.

Aviv Oren

Oren, a breaststroke specialist, also earned first team All-MAC honors at the Mid-American Conference Championships held at UB's Alumni Arena Natatorium last weekend. The sophomore won the 100 breaststroke in a school-record time of 56.88 and touched out Eastern Michigan's John Bartlet, who was also named to the Academic All-MAC team, by one-hundredth of a second. Oren became UB's first MAC individual event titleist since Dan Hickey won the 200 freestyle at the 1999 championship meet in UB's first season in the league. Oren also finished fourth in the 200 breaststroke (2:07.03) and posted lifetime-bests in both sessions of the 50 freestyle, finishing the finals in 13th place in 21.48.

The Bulls, who finished sixth at the MAC Championships, placed Oren among the 15 honorees. League champion Eastern Michigan led all schools with five student-athletes selected. Toledo had three selected while Ball State, Miami (OH) and Ohio each placed two on the list.

Oren is undecided on a major and carries 3.459 grade point average. The honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments from the current season only are considered.