University of New Hampshire Athletics
Photo by: Randall K. Wolf / AEC
Wildcats Announce Team Awards and 2025-26 Captains
5/12/2025 2:52:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire women's swimming and diving team capped a memorable 2024-25 season with team awards, the announcement of next year's captains, and WESPY recognition.
At the team's annual awards ceremony in April, freshman Lydia Hart (Cornwall, Ontario) was named both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Swimmer. She went undefeated in the 500 freestyle and captured the National Invitational Championship in that event. Hart also broke four school records: 200, 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle.
Senior Grace Sala (Sun Prairie, Wis.) earned the Most Improved award following a standout season that included her first podium finish at the America East Championship in the 200-yard butterfly.
Junior captain Carolyn Nelson (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) received the Coaches Award, given to an upperclassman who exemplifies leadership, commitment, and overall contribution to the team.
Senior Emma Clarke (Avon, N.Y.) was honored with the Richard J. Hegerich Memorial Golden Goggle Award, presented to an upperclassman whose behind-the-scenes work and dedication are vital to team culture.
The Wildcats also announced their 2025-26 team captains: Grace Mahon (Orange, Conn.), Audrey Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill.), and returning captain Nelson.
The UNH athletic department held its seventh annual Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs on May 6. The Wildcats were finalists for Event of the Year after capturing the program's 12th America East title—and fifth in the last six years—with 782 points. UNH had nine individual champions at the championship meet.
Hart was a finalist for Performer of the Year and won the WESPY for Women's Rookie of the Year.
Seniors Megumi Komoto (Schaumburg, Ill.) and Ana O'Neil (St. Paul, Minn.) were co-recipients of the Wildcat Award for Academic Excellence after completing their undergraduate careers with a 4.0 GPA. O'Neil also earned the America East Elite 18 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the championship meet.
Eleven Wildcats were recognized as members of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Six were inducted this year: Trinity Devanney (Gulf Breeze, Fla.), Sarah Guerrette (Bow, N.H.), Annie Jencova (Waikanae, New Zealand), Mahoney, Caitlin Mason (Charleston, S.C.), and Nelson. Second time honorees included Sala, Clarke, Komoto, O'Neil, and Chiara Maria Pradissitto (Milan, Italy).
"This has been a special year," Head Coach Josh Willman said. "Going undefeated for the first time in 20 years, earning so many individual accolades as we won our 12th America East Championship, and seeing so much achievement with personal bests and academic success — we could not have asked for more. I am excited to see where our staff and these new captains take us next season!"
At the team's annual awards ceremony in April, freshman Lydia Hart (Cornwall, Ontario) was named both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Swimmer. She went undefeated in the 500 freestyle and captured the National Invitational Championship in that event. Hart also broke four school records: 200, 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle.
Senior Grace Sala (Sun Prairie, Wis.) earned the Most Improved award following a standout season that included her first podium finish at the America East Championship in the 200-yard butterfly.
Junior captain Carolyn Nelson (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) received the Coaches Award, given to an upperclassman who exemplifies leadership, commitment, and overall contribution to the team.
Senior Emma Clarke (Avon, N.Y.) was honored with the Richard J. Hegerich Memorial Golden Goggle Award, presented to an upperclassman whose behind-the-scenes work and dedication are vital to team culture.
The Wildcats also announced their 2025-26 team captains: Grace Mahon (Orange, Conn.), Audrey Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill.), and returning captain Nelson.
The UNH athletic department held its seventh annual Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs on May 6. The Wildcats were finalists for Event of the Year after capturing the program's 12th America East title—and fifth in the last six years—with 782 points. UNH had nine individual champions at the championship meet.
Hart was a finalist for Performer of the Year and won the WESPY for Women's Rookie of the Year.
Seniors Megumi Komoto (Schaumburg, Ill.) and Ana O'Neil (St. Paul, Minn.) were co-recipients of the Wildcat Award for Academic Excellence after completing their undergraduate careers with a 4.0 GPA. O'Neil also earned the America East Elite 18 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the championship meet.
Eleven Wildcats were recognized as members of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Six were inducted this year: Trinity Devanney (Gulf Breeze, Fla.), Sarah Guerrette (Bow, N.H.), Annie Jencova (Waikanae, New Zealand), Mahoney, Caitlin Mason (Charleston, S.C.), and Nelson. Second time honorees included Sala, Clarke, Komoto, O'Neil, and Chiara Maria Pradissitto (Milan, Italy).
"This has been a special year," Head Coach Josh Willman said. "Going undefeated for the first time in 20 years, earning so many individual accolades as we won our 12th America East Championship, and seeing so much achievement with personal bests and academic success — we could not have asked for more. I am excited to see where our staff and these new captains take us next season!"
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Distance Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Sprint/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/IM
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UNH Head Coach Josh Willman America East Champions Post-Meet Interview
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UNH Head Coach Josh Willman Day 2 America East Swimming Championships Post-Meet Interview
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UNH Head Coach Josh Willman America East Swimming Championships Preview Interview (4/22/21)
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