University of New Hampshire Athletics
Audrey Mahoney was named 2026 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Photo by: Stu Horne
Mahoney Repeats as America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year
4/15/2026 3:55:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Academics
UNH Swimming & Diving wins conference-record 14th Scholar-Athlete of Year honor
BOSTON – UNH senior captain Audrey Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill.) has been named the America East Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar‑Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season, the conference announced Wednesday.
Mahoney, a health management and policy major with a 3.95 cumulative grade‑point average, adds to her honors that recently included a berth on the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All‑District Team ™ for the second time in her career and her third straight America East All-Academic Team honor. She has earned Dean's List High Honors in all seven semesters at UNH and is a Chi Alpha Sigma National Collegiate Honor Society inductee.
With Mahoney's 2026 honor added to her 2025 recognition, this marks a conference‑best 14th time a Wildcat has been named the America East Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar‑Athlete of the Year. Previous UNH recipients are UNH Hall of Famer Denise Leckenby (1996 & 1998), Kristin Latourelle (1999), UNH Hall of Famer Lauren McCandless (2012 & 2014), Katie Mann (2013 & 2015), Anna Metzler (2020, 2021 & 2022), Madison Linstedt (2023), and Ella Guilfoil (2024).
Mahoney closed her collegiate career as one of the most accomplished swimmers in conference history. She received the David Alexander Coaches Award after finishing her career with the most America East Championship points among seniors who exhausted their eligibility.
At the 2026 America East Championships, Mahoney was part of a gold‑medal, record‑setting 400 freestyle relay, helping set both a UNH and conference championship record with a time of 3 minutes, 21.08 seconds, including a 49.53‑second lead‑off split. She also earned five silver medals at the championships in the 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 200 free relay (school record) and 400 medley relay.
During the regular season, Mahoney delivered a series of standout performances, including multiple wins in both the 50 and 100 freestyle against UConn, Rhode Island and Northeastern. She set numerous pool and meet records, highlighted by breaking three records previously held by former U.S. Olympian Jenny Thompson, including the Swasey Pool and Tootell Aquatic Center (University of Rhode Island) sprint freestyle marks. Mahoney was named America East Swimmer of the Week on Oct. 28 after setting the Swasey Pool record in the 50 freestyle and anchoring two winning relays, and she opened the season by setting a pool record at the University of Vermont while winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
In March, the Downers Grove, Ill., native competed at the 2026 TYR Pro Swim Series – Westmont, a nationally recognized elite meet held in the Chicago suburbs at FMC Natatorium. The TYR Pro Swim Series regularly attracts many of the top swimmers in the United States, including national team members, Olympians, and Olympic Trials finalists, providing collegiate athletes the opportunity to race alongside some of the best competition in the country.
Beyond her success in competition and the classroom, Mahoney has also made a significant impact through community service and leadership. She has volunteered with Renegade Paws Rescue, participated in environmental stewardship efforts through the Hampton Beach Cleanup, and supported hunger‑relief initiatives with Feed My Starving Children. Mahoney has additionally volunteered at local endurance events and contributed professionally as a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association's Northern New England Chapter Communications Committee, assisting with content creation and digital outreach.
Mahoney is automatically eligible for the America East Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, which will be announced in July.
Mahoney, a health management and policy major with a 3.95 cumulative grade‑point average, adds to her honors that recently included a berth on the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All‑District Team ™ for the second time in her career and her third straight America East All-Academic Team honor. She has earned Dean's List High Honors in all seven semesters at UNH and is a Chi Alpha Sigma National Collegiate Honor Society inductee.
With Mahoney's 2026 honor added to her 2025 recognition, this marks a conference‑best 14th time a Wildcat has been named the America East Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar‑Athlete of the Year. Previous UNH recipients are UNH Hall of Famer Denise Leckenby (1996 & 1998), Kristin Latourelle (1999), UNH Hall of Famer Lauren McCandless (2012 & 2014), Katie Mann (2013 & 2015), Anna Metzler (2020, 2021 & 2022), Madison Linstedt (2023), and Ella Guilfoil (2024).
Mahoney closed her collegiate career as one of the most accomplished swimmers in conference history. She received the David Alexander Coaches Award after finishing her career with the most America East Championship points among seniors who exhausted their eligibility.
At the 2026 America East Championships, Mahoney was part of a gold‑medal, record‑setting 400 freestyle relay, helping set both a UNH and conference championship record with a time of 3 minutes, 21.08 seconds, including a 49.53‑second lead‑off split. She also earned five silver medals at the championships in the 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 200 free relay (school record) and 400 medley relay.
During the regular season, Mahoney delivered a series of standout performances, including multiple wins in both the 50 and 100 freestyle against UConn, Rhode Island and Northeastern. She set numerous pool and meet records, highlighted by breaking three records previously held by former U.S. Olympian Jenny Thompson, including the Swasey Pool and Tootell Aquatic Center (University of Rhode Island) sprint freestyle marks. Mahoney was named America East Swimmer of the Week on Oct. 28 after setting the Swasey Pool record in the 50 freestyle and anchoring two winning relays, and she opened the season by setting a pool record at the University of Vermont while winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
In March, the Downers Grove, Ill., native competed at the 2026 TYR Pro Swim Series – Westmont, a nationally recognized elite meet held in the Chicago suburbs at FMC Natatorium. The TYR Pro Swim Series regularly attracts many of the top swimmers in the United States, including national team members, Olympians, and Olympic Trials finalists, providing collegiate athletes the opportunity to race alongside some of the best competition in the country.
Beyond her success in competition and the classroom, Mahoney has also made a significant impact through community service and leadership. She has volunteered with Renegade Paws Rescue, participated in environmental stewardship efforts through the Hampton Beach Cleanup, and supported hunger‑relief initiatives with Feed My Starving Children. Mahoney has additionally volunteered at local endurance events and contributed professionally as a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association's Northern New England Chapter Communications Committee, assisting with content creation and digital outreach.
Mahoney is automatically eligible for the America East Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, which will be announced in July.
Follow the UNH Swimming and Diving Team
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unhswimdive
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/unhswimdive/
X - https://x.com/unhswimdive
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unhswimdive
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/unhswimdive/
X - https://x.com/unhswimdive
Players Mentioned
Sprint/Free
/ Women's Swimming and DivingJamy Lum America East Champions Post-Meet Interview
Sunday, April 25
UNH Head Coach Josh Willman America East Champions Post-Meet Interview
Sunday, April 25
UNH Head Coach Josh Willman Day 2 America East Swimming Championships Post-Meet Interview
Saturday, April 24
UNH Head Coach Josh Willman America East Swimming Championships Preview Interview (4/22/21)
Thursday, April 22