Every so often, Pipe Dream Sports pulls out the big guns, the Golden Pipe, the most prestigious award the staff can give out. This week two athletes were so exceptional, we figured it was time to pull it out again.

Brenno Varanda, men’s swimming and diving: After breaking his own school record in the 200-yard breaststroke to claim his third title of meet at the America East Championships, Varanda was named Wednesday as collegeswimming.com’s Division I Collegiate Swimmer of the Week. Varanda was also named AE Most Outstanding Swimmer, as his efforts helped the Bearcats finish in third place at the championships. The title represents the fifth time in the last six years that a BU swimmer was named Most Outstanding Swimmer.

Jacki Kane, women’s volleyball: Kane, always noted for her play on the court, receives this Golden Pipe for her work in the classroom. The senior English and political science major was named an America East scholar-athlete for the third straight season. A committee of athletic administrators and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representatives chose an honoree in each of the six fall championship sports. Each America East Scholar-Athlete was a starter or prominent reserve and carries a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20.