Bates, McCulloh Announced As Georgia’s Nominees For SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Courtesy: Georgia Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia swimmers Jackson Bates and Abby McCulloh have been nominated for the 2024-25 Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as announced by the league office Monday.

The winners of the men’s and women’s awards, selected by the SEC Faculty Athletic Representatives, will be announced on Wednesday, April 30. The winners will receive $20,000 postgraduate scholarships.

The Georgia swimming and diving programs have combined to earn nine McWhorter Awards, with the women’s program tallying a league-leading eight, with Callie Dickinson most recently receiving the honor in 2023. Additionally, Georgia has produced 11 recipients, tied with Alabama for the most of any SEC institution.

Jackson Bates, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Major: Biology

• Scheduled to graduate with bachelor’s degree in Biology this spring.
• Four-year letterwinner on men’s swimming and diving team as member of breaststroke group
• Competed at 2023 and 2024 SEC Championships, earning first alternate finish in 200-yard breaststroke in 2024
• Finished 30^th in 200-meter breaststroke at 2022 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships
• Three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree
• Male recipient of the UGA Joel Eaves Scholar-Athlete Award for senior student-athlete with highest GPA and hours taken
• Serves as co-vice president of UGA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee after serving two years at team representative
• Two-time SEC Community Service Team member (2024, 2025)

Abby McCulloh, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Major: Journalism

• Scheduled to graduate with bachelor’s degree in Journalism this spring
• Seven-time All-American, including five First Team honors
• 2024 SEC and NCAA champion in the 1,650-yard freestyle
• Ranks second in program history in the 1,000-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle
• Recipient of Keith Jackson Rose Bowl Postgraduate Scholarship
• 2024 CSC Academic All-American and three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree
• Two-time SEC Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year winner (2024, 2025)
• Female recipient of the UGA Joel Eaves Scholar-Athlete Award for senior student-athlete with highest GPA and hours taken
• Allstate/NACDA Winter Good Works Team nominee
• 2025 SEC Community Service Team member

University of Georgia H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year Recipients
1986 – Virginia Diederich (women’s swimming and diving)
1988 – Linda Leith (women’s swimming and diving)
1989 – Deanne Burnett (women’s swimming and diving)
1991 – Al Parker (men’s tennis)
1997 – Andy DeVooght (men’s swimming and diving)
2000 – Joey Pitts (men’s tennis)
2001 – Kim Black (women’s swimming and diving)
2012 – Wendy Trott (women’s swimming and diving)
2014 – Shannon Vreeland (women’s swimming and diving)
2015 – Maddie Locus (women’s swimming and diving)
2023 – Callie Dickinson (women’s swimming and diving)