Seven student-athletes from the Villanova Swimming and Diving program have been recognized as Academic All-District honorees by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). The announcement, made Tuesday afternoon, highlights a group of athletes who have balanced rigorous academic loads with elite performances in the pool.
The honors are part of the 2025-26 Academic All-District cycle, a program designed to identify the nation’s top student-athletes based on a combination of classroom achievement and athletic success. For the Wildcats, the recognition is split between the men’s and women’s teams, with several athletes now positioned for potential national honors.
Among the group, six individuals—Gavin Jones, Justin Nowicki, Zach Sutter, Anna Farley, Peri Gaguzis and Meghan Tiernan—have already advanced to the national ballot for the CSC Academic All-America program. This puts them in contention for one of the highest honors in collegiate sports, which recognizes athletes across NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, and the NAIA.
The distinction of being named to the CSC Academic All-District honors list serves as a prerequisite for the All-America ballot, emphasizing a commitment to excellence that extends beyond the athletic arena. The women’s Academic All-America selections are scheduled for announcement on April 28, followed by the men’s list on April 29.
Dominance in the Pool and the Classroom
The list of honorees is headlined by several repeat selections and standout performers from the BIG EAST Championships. Anna Farley, a junior Biology major, has earned her second CSC Academic All-District selection. Her athletic season was marked by a dominant showing at the league championships, where she secured four gold medals in the 200 Fly, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, and 800 Free Relay. Farley also earned silver in the 200 IM and bronze in the 100 Fly.
Similarly, Meghan Tiernan, also a junior Biology major, has secured her second consecutive Academic All-District honor. Tiernan’s versatility was on display as the BIG EAST Champion in the 200 IM, although also taking home silver medals in the 400 IM and 200 Fly. Her academic pedigree is further bolstered by her status as a CSCAA Second Team Scholar All-American in 2023-24.
The women’s side also includes Peri Gaguzis and Michelle Kasulka. Gaguzis, a junior Biology major with a minor in Italian, captured gold in the 400 IM and medals in the 1650 Free (silver) and 500 Free (bronze). Kasulka earned her first CSC honor following a historic performance in February, where she was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Diver at the BIG EAST Championships—becoming only the second woman in program history to achieve the feat—after winning the 3-meter event.
Breaking Program Records
The men’s honorees have been equally impactful, often rewriting the Villanova record books during their recognized period. Justin Nowicki, a junior Computer Engineering major and Business minor, is a two-time CSC honoree. Nowicki’s junior campaign included a program-record time of 3:47.65 to win the 400 IM, along with silver in the 200 Fly and bronze medals in the 200 IM and 800 Free Relay.
Sophomore Zach Sutter, majoring in Biochemistry with a Psychology minor, has emerged as a record-breaking force. During the BIG EAST Championships, Sutter set new program marks in the 50 Free (20.10) and 100 Fly (47.72). He notably broke a 100 Free record that had stood since 1989, first clocking a 44.24 before lowering it further to 44.23 in the finals. He also reset the program record for the 100 IM with a time of 50.83.
Rounding out the men’s list is senior Gavin Jones. Pursuing an MBA in Accountancy, Jones earned his first CSC nod after contributing to a bronze medal in the 800 Free Relay with a program-record time of 6:33.97. He was also instrumental in the 400 Free Relay, helping the squad reset a nearly 30-year-old record with a time of 2:58.58.
Academic and Athletic Profile Summary
The breadth of academic disciplines among the honorees—ranging from Biochemistry and Computer Engineering to Accountancy and Biology—underscores the diverse intellectual rigor maintained by the team. Many of these athletes have also been consistent fixtures on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.
| Athlete | Major/Study | Key Athletic Achievement | Academic Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Farley | Biology | 4 Gold Medals (BIG EAST) | 2x CSC All-District |
| Justin Nowicki | Computer Engineering | 400 IM Program Record | 2x CSC All-District |
| Zach Sutter | Biochemistry | 100 Free Record (since 1989) | AD Honor Roll (2x) |
| Michelle Kasulka | N/A | Most Outstanding Diver | BIG EAST All-Academic |
The Path to All-America Status
The transition from Academic All-District to Academic All-America is a selective process. By advancing to the national ballot, Jones, Nowicki, Sutter, Farley, Gaguzis, and Tiernan have moved into the final stage of consideration. The CSC Academic All-America program is the gold standard for recognizing the “student-athlete” ideal, requiring high cumulative GPAs and significant athletic contributions.
For the Villanova program, these honors represent more than individual accolades; they reflect a culture of high expectations in both the pool and the classroom. The frequency of these athletes appearing on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll—with Jones appearing six times and others appearing four—points to a sustained level of performance across multiple academic years.
The next critical checkpoints for the program will be the announcements of the national Academic All-America winners. The women’s list will be unveiled on April 28, followed by the men’s announcement on April 29, providing the final word on the 2025-26 academic honors cycle.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on these achievements in the comments below and share this story with the Villanova community.
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