Six members of the University of Massachusetts men’s swimming and diving team were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete Team, according to a March 12 announcement by the league.
The recognition highlights both academic and athletic achievements for student-athletes in the conference. Being selected for the Scholar-Athlete Team reflects a balance between strong performance in competition and commitment to studies.
Seniors Sammy Quigg and Aidan Shepston, junior Jude Boukarroum, and sophomores Chase Keeler, Alex Kreidler, and Liam Rayson received the honor. Quigg, majoring in mechanical engineering, achieved season-best times at the MVC Championships, including tenth place in the 50 freestyle (20.39) and sixth in the 100 freestyle (44.07). He also contributed to three relay teams that set new program records.
Shepston, who studies computer science and system engineering, finished twelfth in the 50 freestyle (20.53) at the championships and helped set a program record as leadoff on the fifth-place 200 freestyle relay team. Boukarroum placed sixteenth in the 200 freestyle with a personal-best time of 1:40.17 and seventh in the 1650 freestyle with a season-best time of 15:45.03.
Keeler placed sixth in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:46.37 after achieving a personal best during preliminaries. Kreidler took fourth place in one-meter diving with a score of 296.40 while also finishing tenth on three-meter diving. Rayson marked personal bests in both his events at the championships.
The selection of these athletes underscores their dedication both inside and outside of competition as they continue their academic pursuits alongside their athletic commitments.
