Led by the triumphant return of senior Andrew Wilson, the 2016-17 season proved to be a historic year for the Emory University Men's Swimming and Diving team as the Eagles won their first-ever team National Championship in program history.
Emory secured the championship with a four-day total of 438 points, 54 more than second place Kenyon College, marking the first time a program other than Kenyon or Denison won the team title in Division III Men's Swimming and Diving history since 1979. The championship, coupled with the Emory women's title, marked just the second time in Division III history and the first since 2009 that an institution swept both swimming and diving national championships in a single season. Kenyon is the only other school to accomplish the feat, doing so 23 times.
Wilson, who took the 2015-16 season off to train for the 2016 Rio Olympics, returned to the team in the fall and never missed a beat, reclaiming his mantle as the premier swimmer in Division III. At the 2017 National Championships in Shenandoah, Texas, Wilson turned in another championship meet performance for the ages, winning national championships in five events, with all coming in Division III record setting times, en route to being named the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Swimmer of the Year for the second time in his career. Wilson won individual titles in the 200 IM, 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke and added championships in the 200 Medley Relay with freshman Sage Ono and juniors Cooper Tollen and Oliver Smith and in the 400 Medley Relay with Ono, Smith and senior Christian Baker.
Emory, in total, captured championships in a program-record eight events, set five Division III records, saw 20 All-America finishes (15 Individual and 5 Relay) and had four Honorable Mention All-American finishes.
Smith defended his 50 Freestyle crown for Emory's other individual champion and swam the anchor leg in all four relays that won gold at the championship meet as he tied Wilson for the team-lead with five event titles. Smith tied his school record in the 50 Free and set the new program standard in the 100 Freestyle as he finished third overall.
The group of Smith, sophomore Trey Kolleck, juniors Alexander Hardwick and Aaron Schwartz repeated as champions in the 200 Freestyle Relay as did the 400 Freestyle Relay quartet of Smith, Kolleck, Hardwick and senior Hayes Burdette-Sapp. Both relays broke school records during the finals at the 2017 Championships.
Head Coach Jon Howell was named the Collegiate Swimmers Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Men's Swimming Coach of the Year after the conclusion of the meet for the first time in his career.
Earlier in the year, Emory extended its reign as the top University Athletic Association program, winnings its 19th consecutive championship with 1650.5 points, the most by an Eagle team at a UAA Championship meet since 2013. Over the four days of competition, the Eagles registered 10 conference titles, set eight association records and posted 16 All-UAA finishes.
Wilson was named the Association's Swimmer of the Year for the second time in his career. He took home individual event titles in the 200 IM and 100 and 200 Breaststroke, setting UAA records in all three events and added event championships in the 200 and 400 Medley Relays, both in UAA record time, and was an All-UAA finisher in the 400 Freestyle Relay.
Ono became the first Eagle since Wilson to be selected as the UAA Men's Rookie of the Year. Ono captured an event title in the 100 Back, setting a UAA record in the event, and was part of the 200 and 400 Medley Relay title teams. He added a top-5 finish in the 200 Back, finishing fourth.
Howell and assistant coaches Cindy Fontana, Chris Marshall, John Petroff and Ross Spock were named as the Co-UAA Swimming Coaching Staff of the Year, marking the third time Howell and his staff have earned the award on the men's side and the first since 2007.
In the dual meet portion of the schedule, Emory was 5-1 with the lone defeat coming on the road against Division I's University of Georgia. The Eagles added a second place finish at the Miami Invitational in December and was third at the SCAD Invitational.
In January, Wilson led a group of six male swimmers at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas. Wilson captured the 100 Breast title, defeated several household names in the event including Nicolas Fink, Josh Prenot and Michael Andrew. Smith also shined at the meet, finishing eighth overall in a heavily competitive 50 Freestyle field.
In June, Wilson added to his long list of national accolades as he was named the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American of the Year for Division III At-Large, becoming the first two-time Division III At-Large winner since CoSIDA split the College Division into Division II, Division III and College Division (NAIA, CIS, 2-year, Other) sections in 2010-11 and the first repeat winner in any sport in Emory athletics history. In addition, Wilson was the 24th NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient in program history.
Wilson was joined on the Academic All-America At-large team by Burdette-Sapp, who earned a spot on the Second Team. The honor is the second of Burdette-Sapp's career as he was a Third Team selection in 2016.
The Eagles earned the following honors during the 2016-17 season:
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Collegiate Swimmers Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Swimmer of the Year |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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Collegiate Swimmers Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Coach of the Year |
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Jon Howell |
Head Coach |
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NCAA Division III Champion |
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Farragut, TN (Farragut) |
400 Medley Relay |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
400 Freestyle Relay |
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Pittsburgh, PA (Upper Saint Clair) |
200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay |
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Calabasas, CA (Calabasas) |
200 Freestyle Relay |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
50 Freestyle, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay |
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Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) |
200 Medley Relay |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
200 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay |
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All-America (Top-Eight Finisher at NCAA Division III Championships) |
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Farragut, TN (Farragut) |
400 Medley Relay (1st), 500 Freestyle (4th), 200 Butterfly (4th), 800 Freestyle Relay (4th), 200 Freestyle (7th) |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
400 Freestyle Relay (1st), 800 Freestyle Relay (4th) |
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Beverly Hills, CA (Harvard-Westlake) |
500 Freestyle (8th) |
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Raleigh, NC (Enloe) |
200 Freestyle (2nd), 500 Freestyle (3rd), 1650 Freestyle (3rd), 800 Freestyle Relay (4th) |
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Pittsburgh, PA (Upper Saint Clair) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Centennial, CO (Smoky Hill) |
800 Freestyle Relay (4th) |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (1st), 50 Freestyle (7th) |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
200 Medley Relay (1st), 400 Medley Relay (1st), 100 Backstroke (3rd) |
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Wheaton, IL (Wheaton North) |
200 Backstroke (5th) |
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Calabasas, CA (Calabasas) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
50 Freestyle (1st), 200 Medley Relay (1st), 200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 400 Medley Relay (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (1st), 100 Freestyle (3rd) |
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Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) |
200 Medley Relay (1st) |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
200 IM (1st), 100 Breast (1st), 200 Breast (1st), 200 Medley Relay (1st), 400 Medley Relay (1st) |
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All-America Honorable Mention (Finished 9th – 16th at NCAA Division III Championships) |
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Beverly Hills, CA (Harvard-Westlake) |
1650 Freestyle (14th) |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
200 Backstroke (14th), 50 Freestyle (16th) |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
100 Freestyle (16th) |
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University Athletic Association Swimmer of the Year |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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UAA Rookie of the Year |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
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UAA Coaching Staff of the Year |
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Jon Howell |
Head Coach |
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Cindy Fontana, Chris Marshall, John Petroff & Ross Spock |
Assistant Coaches |
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UAA Champion |
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Farragut, TN (Farragut) |
400 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
800 Freestyle Relay |
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Pittsburgh, PA (Upper Saint Clair) |
200 Freestyle Relay |
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Raleigh, NC (Enloe) |
500 Freestyle, 800 Freestyle Relay |
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Centennial, CO (Smoky Hill) |
800 Freestyle Relay |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
200 Freestyle Relay |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
400 Medley Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 100 Backstroke |
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Calabasas, CA (Calabasas) |
200 Freestyle Relay |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
200 Freestyle Relay, 50 Freestyle, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Medley Relay |
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Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) |
200 Medley Relay |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
200 IM, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke |
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All-UAA (Top-Three Finisher at UAA Championships) |
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Farragut, TN (Farragut) |
500 Freestyle (3rd), 400 Medley Relay (1st), 800 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
800 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Glenview, IL (Glenbrook South) |
1 Meter Dive (3rd), 3 Meter Dive (2nd) |
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Pittsburgh, PA (Upper Saint Clair) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (2nd) |
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Raleigh, NC (Enloe) |
500 Freestyle (1st), 800 Freestyle Relay (1st), 1650 Freestyle (2nd) |
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Centennial, CO (Smoky Hill) |
800 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 100 Freestyle (3rd), 400 Freestyle Relay (2nd) |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
400 Medley Relay (1st), 200 Medley Relay (1st), 100 Backstroke (1st) |
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Calabasas, CA (Calabasas) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st) |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 50 Freestyle (1st), 400 Medley Relay (1st), 200 Medley Relay (1st), 100 Freestyle (2nd), 400 Freestyle Relay (2nd) |
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Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) |
200 Medley Relay (1st) |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
200 IM (1st), 400 Medley Relay (1st), 200 Medley Relay (1st), 100 Breaststroke (1st), 200 Breaststroke (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (2nd) |
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CoSIDA Division III Men's At-Large All-American of the Year |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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CoSIDA Academic All-America At-Large |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
First Team |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
Second Team |
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NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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CSCAA Scholar All-America |
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Farragut, TN (Farragut) |
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Decatur, GA (Lakeside) |
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Charlotte, NC (South Mecklenburg) |
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Beverly Hills, CA (Harvard-Westlake) |
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Newburgh, IN (Castle) |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
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Wheaton, IL (Wheaton North) |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
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Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
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CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention |
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Troy, MI (Troy) |
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Beverly Hills, CA (Harvard-Westlake) |
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LaCanada, CA (LaCanada High School) |
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UAA Athletes of the Week |
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Bethesda, MD (Phillips Academy) |
Oct. 24th, Dec. 5th, Jan. 30th, Feb. 13th, Mar. 20th |
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Charlotte, NC (South Mecklenburg) |
Nov.7th |
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Milan, MI (Milan) |
Jan. 9th |
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Johns Creek, GA (Centennial) |
Jan 23rd |
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The following were the top marks by Emory swimmers and divers during the 2016-17 season:
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50 Free |
19.55* |
NCAA Championships |
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100 Free |
43.54* |
NCAA Championships |
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200 Free |
1:37.08* |
NCAA Championships |
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500 Free |
4:21.43* |
Miami Invitational |
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1000 Free |
9:30.86 |
vs. SCAD |
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1650 Free |
15:12.80* |
NCAA Championships |
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100 Back |
47.93 |
NCAA Championships |
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200 Back |
1:46.70 |
NCAA Championships |
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100 Breast |
50.94*# |
NCAA Championships |
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200 Breast |
1:50.80*# |
NCAA Championships |
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100 Fly |
49.31 |
NCAA Championships |
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200 Fly |
1:47.65 |
NCAA Championships |
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200 IM |
1:44.18*# |
NCAA Championships |
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400 IM |
3:59.47 |
UAA Championships |
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1M 6D |
303.80 |
vs. SCAD |
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1M 11D |
4:52.25 |
UAA Championships |
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3M 6D |
289.50 |
vs. SCAD |
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3M 11D |
512.25* |
UAA Championships |
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200 Free Relay |
Trey Kolleck, Alexander Hardwick, Aaron Schwartz, Oliver Smith |
1:19.03* |
NCAA Championships |
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200 Medley Relay |
1:26.14*# |
NCAA Championships |
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400 Free Relay |
Alexander Hardwick, Trey Kolleck, Hayes Burdette-Sapp, Oliver Smith |
2:56.68* |
NCAA Championships |
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400 Medley Relay |
3:10.51*# |
NCAA Championships |
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800 Free Relay |
Christian Baker, Thomas Gordon, Alex Kohlman, Hayes Burdette-Sapp |
6:36.49 |
NCAA Championships |
* - Indicates School record
# - Indicates NCAA DIII record