OCALA, Fla. - The BIG EAST Swimming and Diving trophy is headed back to Villanova as the women's team captured its 13th consecutive conference title on Saturday, marking the program's 18th championship since 1992. The men's team added to the strong showing with a third-place finish.
With 1,754 points, the Wildcat women posted the highest team total in BIG EAST Championship and Villanova program history. The men racked up 610 points for their best leaderboard showing since a third-place finish in 2022.
Carlota Colomer Guasch was named Women's Most Outstanding Swimmer after scoring 94 points in Villanova's victory. She won the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 200 Free and swam on four championship relay teams in the 200 Medley, 200 Free, 400 Free, and 800 Free. Her laurel marks the 19th time that the Most Outstanding Diver has come from the Main Line and the 12th time in the last 14 years.
Michelle Kasulka was named Women's Most Outstanding Diver following her victory in the 3-meter (274.20) and fourth-place finish in the 1-meter (255.80). She is just the second women's diver in program history to earn to honor, joining Bridie Dunn who was the 2019 recipient. Diving coach Todd Michael was recognized as Women's Diving Coach of the Year for the second time ever.
Head coach Rick Simpson and his staff were recognized as the Women's Coaching Staff of the Year for the 13th consecutive year, bringing the program to 15 Coach of the Year laurels. They were also honored as Men's Co-Coaching Staff of the Year with Georgetown, marking the first for the program since 2018 and fourth time overall.
The Wildcats wrapped the final day of competition with 11 medals and 5 new program records. Over the four days of action, the 'Cats earned 38 medals between the men and women.
During Saturday's preliminary swims, Zach Sutter placed third in the men's 100 Free with a personal-best time of 44.24, breaking a program record that had stood since 1989.
In the 200 Breast prelims, Hugh Boris touched first in 1:59.25, recording a personal best and setting a new program record.
Finals opened with Katie White winning the 1650 Free gold in 16:29.88, while Peri Gaguzis followed with a second-place finish in 16:36.28.
Kayla Bolster won the women's 200 Back in 1:56.75, moving into fourth place on Villanova's all-time performers list. Winnie Jalet also took the 200 Breast champion title for the second time in her career (2:12.94).
After setting the record in the 100 Free earlier in the day, Sutter broke it again at finals, dropping .01 seconds to establish a new program record of 44.23.
Anna Farley and Meghan Tiernan delivered a 1-2 finish in the 200 Fly, touching in 1:58.45 and 1:58.55, respectively.
In the men's 200 Fly, Justin Nowicki grabbed silver and set a new program record with a time of 1:45.03, while Michael Anderson claimed bronze in 1:48.12.
Nate Warson took his second silver medal of the week on the 3-meter board, scoring 314.85.
The women finished the night strong, taking gold in the 400 Free Relay as Colomer Guasch, Bolster, Strand, and Farley posted a time of 3:20.87.
On the men's side, the 400 Free Relay team of Sutter, Gavin Peck, Sam Randall, and Gavin Jones finished in 2:58.58, breaking a program record that had stood since 1997.
