Courtesy: SEC Sports
ATHENS, Ga. (February 21, 2025) – The Southeastern Conference announced the 2025 Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athletes of the Year in conjunction with the 2025 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships.
Mason Mathias of Auburn was selected as the 2025 SEC Men’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Mathias, a senior from Leeds, Ala., is currently studying mechanical engineering and owns a 4.00 cumulative grade point average. He holds the ninth-fastest time in the 500 free in the SEC at 4:11.03, ranking 11th nationally in the event. Mathias won four times in the 500 free this season and three times in the 1000 free. He holds NCAA B cuts in the 200 free (1:34.71), 500 free (4:11.03) and 1650 free (14:58.11). His 8:52.41 in the 1000 free against Alabama was the second-fastest time in program history. Mathias is the school record holder in the 500 free (4:10.82) and 1000 free (8:51.45). He is also second all-time in the 1650 free (14:42.99) and fourth all-time in the 1000 free (8:51.45). Mathias holds five All-American honors between the 500 free, 1650 free and 800 free relay. He aided the school record in the 800 free relay (6:11.03). A two-time member of the All-SEC Second Team (2023, 2024), Mathias was named a College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American (2022, 2023, 2024) and a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American (2024). He also earned spots on the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023, 2024) and the CSC Academic All-District Team (2023, 2024).
Abby McCulloh of Georgia was tabbed the 2025 SEC Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. McCulloh, a senior from Lilburn, Ga., holds a 4.0 grade point average in journalism with a minor in sport management. She has posted NCAA A-cuts in 500 free and 1650 free along with an NCAA B-cut in 200 free. McCulloh ranks third nationally in the 1650 free and 10th in the 500 free. She finished first in 1650 free at UGA Fall Invitational, while placing second in 500 freestyle and 11th in 200 free. McCulloh set a personal-best time in 1000 free with 9:25.14 at Texas, the second-fastest time in program history. She earned dual wins in 1000 free at South Carolina and Florida State and in the 200 free against UNC Wilmington. McCulloh was the 2024 NCAA and SEC champion in 1650 free and the 2024 SEC bronze medalist in the 500 free. She was also the 2022 bronze medalist in 1650 free. A four-time CSCAA First Team All-American, McCulloh was named to the 2024 All-SEC First Team and the 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. She ranks second in program history in both the 1000 free and the 1650 free. McCulloh was awarded the 2024 Keith Jackson Rose Bowl Game Postgraduate Scholarship and was the 2024 Joel Eaves Award Scholar-Athlete Award Winner for the UGA female senior student-athlete with the highest GPA. She serves as a student-athlete representative on UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors. McCulloh was a part of the 2024 CSC Academic All-America Team and the 2023 CSC Academic All-District Team. Named the 2024 SEC Women’s Swimming & Diving Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year, she is a three-time CSCAA Scholar All-America First Team selection and a three-time Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
