University of New Hampshire Athletics
Swim & Dive Announces Annual Team Awards
4/17/2026 7:23:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Mahoney, Wright, Leblic, Mahon, Devanney Honored for Team Contributions
DURHAM, N.H. — The UNH women's swimming and diving program celebrated its 2025-26 season and recognized its annual award winners at the program's year‑end ceremony held April 10 in the Service Credit Union Victory Club at Wildcat Stadium.
The Wildcats celebrated excellence across performance, leadership, development and culture following a strong postseason highlighted by a second‑place finish at the 2026 America East Championships, where UNH produced multiple conference champions, podium finishes and several All‑America East honors in individual championship finals.
"We have so much to be grateful for as a team, and while we may not have achieved our ultimate goal of winning the America East championship, I am still so proud of this group for their dedication and performance through a fun and competitive season," said head coach Josh Willman.
Most Valuable Swimmer – Audrey Mahoney
The Most Valuable Award recognizes sustained championship‑level performance, consistency and leadership throughout the season.
•Mahoney completed her UNH career with one of the most decorated seasons in program history, excelling both academically and athletically. The health management and policy major with a 3.95 cumulative grade point average was named the America East Women's Swimming & Diving Scholar‑Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season, was tabbed to the AE All-Academic Team for the third time in her career and earned CSC Academic All‑District Team recognition for the second time.
•The senior captain earned the David Alexander Coaches Award after finishing her career with the most America East Championship points among seniors who exhausted their eligibility. At the conference championships hosted by VMI, she was part of a gold‑medal, record‑setting 400 freestyle relay, helping establish both a UNH and AE championship record, while adding silver‑medal finishes in the 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 200 free relay (school record), and 400 medley relay. She set pool records in several different pools throughout the season including a 36- year-old Swasey Pool record set by Olympian Jenny Thompson. Mahoney earned All‑America East honors six times.
"Audrey delivered at the highest level when it mattered most," Willman said. "She defined excellence for our program as a multi-time champion, and we are a stronger program because she was a Wildcat."
Most Improved – Emily Loren Wright
The Most Improved Award honors an upper-class student‑athlete who demonstrates the greatest development over the course of the season.
•Wright made steady progress throughout the year, expanding her role across breaststroke events and championship lineups. On Senior Day vs UConn (Jan. 17), she raced to victory in the 200 individual medley. On Dec. 6 at Northeastern, she added three wins (100 breast, 200 breast, 400 IM). The Ventura, Calif. native was named the America East Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her career following her three first-place finishes and three pool records (200 yard medley relay, 100 breast, 200 breast) in the Wildcats' Nov. 1 victories against Siena and Merrimack at the Siena Swim Center. Wright turned in three personal bests and two gold medal performances at the Harold Anderson Invitational including a pool record in the 200 breaststroke as well as bronze in the same event at the America East Championships and gold as part of the Wildcats winning 800 freestyle relay.
"Emily earned her opportunities through preparation and persistence," Willman said. We will miss Emily's leadership and dedication as she graduates early and enters her dream job with the FBI."
Rookie of the Year – Sydney Leblic
The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the student‑athlete who delivers the most impactful first season with the program.
•Leblic made an immediate impact in her UNH debut season, highlighted by claiming All‑America East honors as a member of the AE Championship gold‑medal 800 free relay, silver‑medal 400 IM, gold‑medal and conference record-setting 400 free relay and silver‑medal school record-setting 200 free relay. She turned in two incredible anchor legs in both the 400 free relay and the gold medal 800 free relay. The nutrition: dietetics major registered a cumulative 3.61 GPA that included a perfect 4.0 in her first season as a Wildcat. She was named to the CSC Academic All‑District Team and the America East All-Academic Team.
"Sydney didn't just fit into the program — she elevated it," Willman said. "While she wasn't a rookie in college swimming, her instant impact made her deserving of this honor as a first-year Wildcat."
Coaches Award – Grace Mahon
The Coaches Award honors the student‑athlete who best embodies the values of leadership, accountability and competitive consistency.
•Mahon, a junior captain, was a member of the school record‑setting 200 free relay at the AE Championships. Individually, she earned silver in the 100 fly, bronze in the 200 fly, and won the consolation final in the 50 free. Mahon was also member of the silver medal 400 medley relay. Academically, the psychology major (3.90 GPA) earned her second America East All‑Academic Team selection and was named to the CSC Academic All‑District Team.
"Grace leads with integrity and competes with confidence," Willman said. "She sets the standard."
Richard J. Hegerich Memorial Golden Goggle Award – Trinity Devanney
The Golden Goggle Award recognizes the upper-class student‑athlete whose behind‑the‑scenes impact is essential to team success.
•Devanney earned her first podium finish as a senior this year at the America East Championships and her first All‑America East honors with a third‑place finish in the 400 individual medley, capturing a bronze medal in the championship final. Devanney was also a top 16 scorer in the 200 breast and the 1650.
"Trinity's impact goes far beyond any single swim," Willman said. "She's a cornerstone of our culture, always supportive of her teammates in every capacity and has been a privilege to have on the team."
2026–27 Team Captains – Grace Mahon and Teagen Jeffers
Willman also announced Grace Mahon and Teagen Jeffers as team captains for the 2026–27 season.
•Jeffers played a central role in IM events and relays including a leg on the school record setting 200 free relay during the postseason and emerged as a trusted leader for the program's future. Her consistency and preparation positioned her to help guide the Wildcats forward.
"Grace and Teagen understand what championship standards look like every day," Willman said. "Being a two-time captain is quite the achievement for Grace, and Teagen demonstrates the attributes that make her a leader to her teammates. Our future is bright!"
Follow the UNH Swimming and Diving Team
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unhswimdive
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/unhswimdive/
X - https://x.com/unhswimdive
The Wildcats celebrated excellence across performance, leadership, development and culture following a strong postseason highlighted by a second‑place finish at the 2026 America East Championships, where UNH produced multiple conference champions, podium finishes and several All‑America East honors in individual championship finals.
"We have so much to be grateful for as a team, and while we may not have achieved our ultimate goal of winning the America East championship, I am still so proud of this group for their dedication and performance through a fun and competitive season," said head coach Josh Willman.
Most Valuable Swimmer – Audrey Mahoney
The Most Valuable Award recognizes sustained championship‑level performance, consistency and leadership throughout the season.
•Mahoney completed her UNH career with one of the most decorated seasons in program history, excelling both academically and athletically. The health management and policy major with a 3.95 cumulative grade point average was named the America East Women's Swimming & Diving Scholar‑Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season, was tabbed to the AE All-Academic Team for the third time in her career and earned CSC Academic All‑District Team recognition for the second time.
•The senior captain earned the David Alexander Coaches Award after finishing her career with the most America East Championship points among seniors who exhausted their eligibility. At the conference championships hosted by VMI, she was part of a gold‑medal, record‑setting 400 freestyle relay, helping establish both a UNH and AE championship record, while adding silver‑medal finishes in the 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 200 free relay (school record), and 400 medley relay. She set pool records in several different pools throughout the season including a 36- year-old Swasey Pool record set by Olympian Jenny Thompson. Mahoney earned All‑America East honors six times.
"Audrey delivered at the highest level when it mattered most," Willman said. "She defined excellence for our program as a multi-time champion, and we are a stronger program because she was a Wildcat."
Most Improved – Emily Loren Wright
The Most Improved Award honors an upper-class student‑athlete who demonstrates the greatest development over the course of the season.
•Wright made steady progress throughout the year, expanding her role across breaststroke events and championship lineups. On Senior Day vs UConn (Jan. 17), she raced to victory in the 200 individual medley. On Dec. 6 at Northeastern, she added three wins (100 breast, 200 breast, 400 IM). The Ventura, Calif. native was named the America East Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her career following her three first-place finishes and three pool records (200 yard medley relay, 100 breast, 200 breast) in the Wildcats' Nov. 1 victories against Siena and Merrimack at the Siena Swim Center. Wright turned in three personal bests and two gold medal performances at the Harold Anderson Invitational including a pool record in the 200 breaststroke as well as bronze in the same event at the America East Championships and gold as part of the Wildcats winning 800 freestyle relay.
"Emily earned her opportunities through preparation and persistence," Willman said. We will miss Emily's leadership and dedication as she graduates early and enters her dream job with the FBI."
Rookie of the Year – Sydney Leblic
The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the student‑athlete who delivers the most impactful first season with the program.
•Leblic made an immediate impact in her UNH debut season, highlighted by claiming All‑America East honors as a member of the AE Championship gold‑medal 800 free relay, silver‑medal 400 IM, gold‑medal and conference record-setting 400 free relay and silver‑medal school record-setting 200 free relay. She turned in two incredible anchor legs in both the 400 free relay and the gold medal 800 free relay. The nutrition: dietetics major registered a cumulative 3.61 GPA that included a perfect 4.0 in her first season as a Wildcat. She was named to the CSC Academic All‑District Team and the America East All-Academic Team.
"Sydney didn't just fit into the program — she elevated it," Willman said. "While she wasn't a rookie in college swimming, her instant impact made her deserving of this honor as a first-year Wildcat."
Coaches Award – Grace Mahon
The Coaches Award honors the student‑athlete who best embodies the values of leadership, accountability and competitive consistency.
•Mahon, a junior captain, was a member of the school record‑setting 200 free relay at the AE Championships. Individually, she earned silver in the 100 fly, bronze in the 200 fly, and won the consolation final in the 50 free. Mahon was also member of the silver medal 400 medley relay. Academically, the psychology major (3.90 GPA) earned her second America East All‑Academic Team selection and was named to the CSC Academic All‑District Team.
"Grace leads with integrity and competes with confidence," Willman said. "She sets the standard."
Richard J. Hegerich Memorial Golden Goggle Award – Trinity Devanney
The Golden Goggle Award recognizes the upper-class student‑athlete whose behind‑the‑scenes impact is essential to team success.
•Devanney earned her first podium finish as a senior this year at the America East Championships and her first All‑America East honors with a third‑place finish in the 400 individual medley, capturing a bronze medal in the championship final. Devanney was also a top 16 scorer in the 200 breast and the 1650.
"Trinity's impact goes far beyond any single swim," Willman said. "She's a cornerstone of our culture, always supportive of her teammates in every capacity and has been a privilege to have on the team."
2026–27 Team Captains – Grace Mahon and Teagen Jeffers
Willman also announced Grace Mahon and Teagen Jeffers as team captains for the 2026–27 season.
•Jeffers played a central role in IM events and relays including a leg on the school record setting 200 free relay during the postseason and emerged as a trusted leader for the program's future. Her consistency and preparation positioned her to help guide the Wildcats forward.
"Grace and Teagen understand what championship standards look like every day," Willman said. "Being a two-time captain is quite the achievement for Grace, and Teagen demonstrates the attributes that make her a leader to her teammates. Our future is bright!"
Follow the UNH Swimming and Diving Team
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unhswimdive
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/unhswimdive/
X - https://x.com/unhswimdive
Players Mentioned
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Back/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Distance Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Sprint/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
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