On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Villanova women’s swimming and diving team continued a 13-year dynasty, taking home its 13th consecutive Big East Championship title in Ocala, FL.
Their Big East reign gives the Wildcats the second longest active win streak in NCAA Division I swim and dive conference crown history, just one title short of Navy and UT Austin, who have both won 14 consecutive titles in their respective conferences.
The title gives the Wildcats their 18th championship title since 1992, continuing their winningest legacy in the Big East conference.
Additionally, the winning score of 1,754 points gives the women their highest point total in program history.
“Everything about our success is about culture,” head coach Rick Simpson said. “I have been blessed with an amazing staff. The coaching tree through the Villanova program is amazing. I could never have this success alone. Second, we specifically target athletes that fit the ‘Villanova Swim and Dive’ model. Regardless of how fast they are, if they don’t fit our culture, we move on.”
The men’s team earned a third place finish at the championship, coming in behind Seton Hall, who took home second place, and Georgetown, who won, marking their fifth consecutive Big East title.
The Wildcats earned 38 medals over the championship from both the men’s and women’s sides.
On the women’s side, both the meet’s most outstanding swimmer honor and most outstanding diver honor was awarded to members of the Wildcat roster.
Junior swimmer Carla Colomer Guash won the 50-free, 100-free and 200-free, along with contributing to first place relay finishes in the 200-medley, 200-free, 400-free and 800-free. Her accomplishments gave her the Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer honor.
Junior diver Michelle Kasulka earned a first place in the 3-meter and fourth place finish in the 1-meter. Her performance in Florida gave her the Women’s Most Outstanding Diver honor, making her the second Wildcat in program history to receive the title. Prior to Kasulka, Bridie Dunn received the honor in 2019.
“Both Carlota and Michelle have been seriously dialed all year,” Simpson said. “It’s all about consistency and focus. They both are very seasoned athletes so this is no surprise. They know how to do it!”
During the championship finals, senior Katie White won the 1650 Free coming in at a time of 16:28.88. Junior Peri Gagzuzi followed, coming in second place with a time of 16:36.28.
Freshman Kayla Bolster won the 200 Back in 1:56.75, making her the fourth fastest Wildcat in the event.
Senior Winnie Jalet won the 200 Breast in 2:12.94, marking the second time in her Wildcat career to do so.
In the 200 fly, junior Anna Farley finished in 1:58.48, earning first place. Junior Meghan Tiernan, finished under a tenth of a second behind Farley, coming in at 1:58.55 for a second place finish in the event.
Farley, alongside Bolster, Gaush and freshman Jana Strand, helped the 400 Free Relay team take home a gold medal, finishing in 3:20.87.
On the men’s side, the Wildcats broke four program records.
Villanova took home silver and bronze in the men’s 200 meter fly, with junior Justin Nowicki and freshman Micahel Anderson finishing in 1:45.03 and 1:48.12, respectively. Nowicki now holds the program record in the event.
Sophomore Zach Sutter finished the 100 Free in 44.21, earning a new personal best, a third place finish and breaking a nearly 30 year long program record, standing since 1989.
Freshman Hugh Borris also earned a personal best and broke a school record with a 1:59.25 finish in the 200 meter Breast preliminaries.
Sophomore Gavin Peck, senior Sam Randall and senior Gavin Jones posted a 2:58.58 finish in the 400 Free event, setting the fastest school time since 1997.
Junior diver Nate Warson took home two silver medals and scored 314.85 on the three meter diving board.
In addition to the athlete’s medals, Villanova coaches took home hardware of their own and were recognized for their leadership and success with the program.
Simpson and the rest of the women’s swim and dive coaching staff were awarded the Big East Coaching staff of the year for the 13th year in a row, as well as being named men’s co-coaching staff with Georgetown.
“This will sound odd, but the award means nothing! This award is about the performance of the athletes,” Simpson said. “They do all the work. If they light it up, the staff gets an award. They deserve all the credit.”
Swim and dive now awaits an invitation to the NCAA championships. If selected, the women’s team will travel to Atlanta, GA, from March 18-21. The men’s team would compete the following week, from March 26-28.
