The Villanova swim and dive teams are wrapping up another success-filled season.
Senior Nicholas Jubilee, junior Chris Jones and junior Alexa Fegley qualified for the NCAA Zone A Championships, representing Villanova from March 9 to March 12 in Princeton, NJ.
In the 1M dive quarterfinal, Jubilee finished No. 30 out of 53 with a score of 257.85. In the 3M dive quarterfinal, Jones placed No. 25 out of 51 divers, with a score of 286.85. Jubilee was No. 36 with a score of 258.60.
At SPIRE in Geneva, OH, the Villanova swimming and diving team made a definitive statement at the Big East Championships in the last week of February.
While the women secured their 12th consecutive Big East championship, 23 Wildcats earned All-Big East honors by finishing in the top three of their events.
In a tough field, the program’s depth became evident, as 42 honorees were recognized overall: 14 from the women’s team and nine from the men’s.
On the women’s side, sophomore Anna Farley emerged as a standout performer in the Big East, with five individual honors. Farley clinched first place in the 800 Free Relay, setting the tone for her performance throughout the meet. She also won silver in the 200 IM and 200 Fly, before rounding out her performance with bronze finishes in both the 400 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay. Farley’s ability to deliver in multiple events is testament to her versatility, setting up her future as a program leader.
Other women contributed with concrete, podium-level performances.
Sophomore Carlota Colomer Guasch finished in the top three in the 50 Free and played a pivotal role in both the 200 and 400 Free Relays.
Graduate Lexi Elkovitch reinforced the team’s relay strength with top three finishes in the same two relay events, and sophomore Peri Gaguzis earned honors with top three placements in the 500 Free and the 400 IM.
Freshman Amylia Higgins’s efforts in the 800 Free Relay added yet another medal to the team’s count, and junior Winnie Jalet’s performance in the 400 Medley Relay was rewarded with a podium finish.
Sophomore Riley Kudlac impressed in the Big East by finishing in the top three in four different events: the 800 Free Relay, 200 Free Relay, 400 Medley Relay, and 400 Free Relay. Junior Arabella Lee contributed with top three finishes in the 100 Fly, 100 Back, and 400 Medley Relay.
Also earning honors were freshman Alana Leen in the 200 back, sophomore Martina Lonati, senior Lainey Quinones, sophomore Meghan Scott in the 3M dive, sophomore Meghan Tiernan in both the 200 IM and 400 IM, and junior Katie White in the 1650 Free.
The men’s team also delivered notable performances. Sophomore Justin Nowicki led the team by becoming the conference champion in the 400 IM. Nowicki was a major contener in medley events and added a bronze medal in the 200 Fly.
Senior Patrick Hemingway, junior Sam Randall and junior Mikey Thurk each earned bronze medals in both the 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay. Freshman Cole Gorsuch secured a top three finish in the 100 Back.
Jubilee’s performance in the 3M Dive earned him high honors.
Freshman Gavin Peck contributed on the 400 Free Relay and sophomore Josh Seidman added to the medal haul with a top three finish in the 200 Back. Freshman Zach Sutter rounded out the men’s honors with his performance in the 200 Free Relay.
Villanova has been able to draw production from across all class years, and the blend of upperclassmen and emerging stars has positioned both programs for continued success.
The Big East Championships not only celebrated a season of hard-fought competition and record-setting performances, but also set the stage for the next steps for each program. With leaders like Anna Farley and Justin Nowicki at the helm next season, the Wildcats are poised to remain a formidable force in collegiate swimming and diving.
