SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 27, 2026) – The Little East Conference (LEC) announced its Yankee Ford Athlete of the Week awards. Once again, the Golden Bears had a swimmer named the Women's Swimmer of the Week. It was Ella Smith receiving that award for the eighth time this season.

Smith was named the LEC Swimmer of the Week for the eighth time after leading the Golden Bears to a big 158-103 win against Western Massachusetts foe, Westfield State University, a win that was the team's first in their history of swimming the Owls. The Chicopee, Massachusetts native celebrated Senior Day during the meet this weekend and did so by having another top-notch meet. It all started for Smith in the 200-yard Medley Relay as she and Caitlin Guntly, Alex Watroba, and Olivia Young won the event with a time of 1:58.09. Smith then swam the 200-yard Freestyle, which she would win with a final time of 2:00.19. That event was followed by two others, both of which ended in new WNE program records. The 100-yard Breaststroke saw Smith break that record once again with a season-best time of 1:09.38 and win the event. Finally, in Smith's final home event, she would earn another season-best time and program record in the 100-yard IM. The final time for the Golden Bear captain was 1:01.75, which earned Smith one more first-place finish. Smith helped the team earn 38 points, the most possible in a dual meet.

The Golden Bears will now shift their sights to the postseason and the LEC Championships, which will be held at the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on February 13th, 14th, and 15th.