Women's Swimming & Diving: Sophia Verkleeren earns nomination from NESCAC for NCAA Woman & DIIICA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year

Link: NESCAC Release

HADLEY, Mass. - Sophia Verkleeren '25 of the Williams College women's swimming & diving program has been nominated to represent the NESCAC as the NCAA Woman of the Year and Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year. A committee of conference administrators will select the NESCAC's representative for the awards.

These awards honor graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

Verkleeren was a six-time NCAA champion and three-time NESCAC Swimmer of the Year, becoming the first swimmer in conference history to win the honor three straight years. Additionally, she led the Ephs to back-to-back NESCAC titles in 2024 and 2025, while serving as a team captain during the 2024-25 season and earning the NESCAC Career High-Point Swimmer honor in 2025. During the Williams' Senior Athlete Recognition ceremony this year, she was presented with the Purple Key award, which is the highest athletic award given by the college.

She has earned 25 All-America honors and was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year in 2023, as Verkleeren closed out her career owning seven school records and five NESCAC marks. The Horseheads, New York, native currently holds the Division III record in the 400-yard individual medley. Verkleeren won 20 NESCAC titles over her four-year career, with 10 on the individual side and 10 in team-oriented relay events.

Outside of the pool, Verkleeren was a student worker in the Williams' sports information office, an economics and chemistry teaching assistant, a Turek Lab research assistant and a science instructor for elementary students. As a junior adviser, she assisted first-year students in their transition to college and the Williams community. She also studied abroad in Denmark and volunteered at a local organic farm.

In the classroom, Verkleeren graduated with cum laude honors, a 3.91 GPA and was a chemistry major. She was an eight-time Dean's List student, a four-time College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American, a three-time NESCAC All-Academic Team selection and a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American.