WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- Senior Sam Kilcoyne and junior
Sophia Verkleeren have been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division III Swimming and Diving Academic All-American First Team for their accomplishments in the pool and the classroom this season. 11 total athletes were voted to the First Team for impressive cumulative GPAs and outstanding performances at the 2024 NCAA DIII Swimming and Diving Championships.
Kilcoyne wrapped up an incredible collegiate career this season. At NESCACs, the fifth-year won the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard butterfly individual events, and was a vital part of four victorious relays for the Ephs. She also received the NESCAC Career High Point Award for earning the greatest number of points at conference championships throughout her career. At this year's NCAA Championships, Kilcoyne won her first NCAA title in the 100 butterfly. After chasing a Pomona-Pitzer swimmer in the last 25, Kilcoyne surged ahead to win by 0.15 seconds, dropping a half-second off her best time to touch in at 53.47. The Williams crowd was screaming cheers of excitement, which only grew louder that night when the team of Verkleeren, Kilcoyne,
Amanda Wager '23.5, and
Emma Dimter '26 won the 400-medley relay by 0.01 seconds. Kilcoyne capped off her final meet for Williams earning 6
th place in the 200 butterfly, placing 17
th in the 50 free, and leading three other relays to top-8 All-American finishes. Throughout her career, Kilcoyne has captured eight NESCAC titles and four top-5 NCAA finishes in individual events. She also received the Neisa-Muir High Point Award for winning the greatest number of points on the Williams team in this dual meet season.
As a computer science and statistics double major, Kilcoyne has led a phenomenal swimming career while maintaining an incredible cumulative GPA of 3.98. She is a three-time Academic All-NESCAC Honoree, and she earned CSC 2023-24 Academic All-District honors this year as well. On deck, Kilcoyne is an exceptional leader, serving as captain in the 2022-23 season and guiding the team to success this year.
Verkleeren won the 200 IM, the 100 backstroke, and the 200 backstroke in her third NESCAC championship event this year. The junior set a NESCAC record in the 100 backstroke and contributed to four winning relays, joining Kilcoyne to break NESCAC records in the 200- and 400- medley relays. For her performance, she was named the NESCAC Swimmer of the Meet for the second consecutive year. At the NCAA Championships, Verkleeren defended her national title in the 200 IM and was the runner-up in the 100- and 200- yard backstroke events. She also led four Williams relays to top-8 All-American finishes. Over her three years as an Eph, Verkleeren has accumulated eight NESCAC titles and six top-2 NCAA finishes in individual events.
Verkleeren is a chemistry major with a cumulative GPA of 3.95, two Academic All-NESCAC honors, and CSC 2023 and 2024 Academic All-District honors. She will return to the pool next year for her final season with the Ephs.
