New York University's seventh-ranked men's and eighth-ranked women's swimming & diving teams are set to compete at the University Athletic Association Championships in Atlanta, GA, from February 8-11. 

The championships are hosted by Emory University, whose men's team ranks first in NCAA Division III while their women are second. The Violets will also face the University of Chicago (#3 men, #5 women), Washington University in St. Louis (#5 men, #13 women), Carnegie Mellon University (#10 men, #11 women), Case Western Reserve University (#15 for men and women), Brandeis University, and the University of Rochester.

NYU has had a strong season so far with two new team records for the women's program and one for the men. The women's team holds a 4-2 dual meet record, the men 5-2.

Across both squads, the Violets earned UAA Athlete of the Week accolades five times this season. Hunter Whitbeck was awarded twice for his dives at the NYU Fall Invitational from November 4-5 and the LGR! Invitational from December 3-4. Caitlin Marshall, Nicole Ranile and Meera Kasturi were also honored.

"They have put in a lot of hard work this year, swam some fast times and we have put up some impressive wins," Head Coach Trevor Miele said. "I think we are set up well to swim great this week and I am excited to see them race!"

Women's UAA Rankings:

Heading into the UAA Championships, Marshall leads the conference in the 500 freestyle with her program record of 4:53.55 and in the 200 butterfly (1:59.95). She is the NCAA DIII defending champion in the 200 after winning at Nationals in 2022.

Ranile ranks fifth in the 500 (5:00.69) and third in the 200 butterfly (2:01.59). 

Other UAA leaders include Kaley McIntyre, who holds the fastest conference time in the 200 backstroke (1:59.62) and the third-fastest 50 and 100 freestyle times (23.27, a team record, and 50.54).

Jessica Flynn, the 2022 National Champion in the 100 backstroke, currently ranks second in the 100 (55.19) and third in the 200 (2:00.09).

Anna Li sits at second in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.83) while Candice Saxod is second in the 200 individual medley (2:04.98).

Men's UAA Rankings:

On the men's side, the Violets are expected to post strong performances in the distance freestyle. Connor Vincent ranks second in the 1650 with his season best of 9:21.42, fourth in the 200 (1:38.58) and fourth in the 500 (4:25.80). Thomas Pritchard is third in both the mile (9:22.08) and the 500 (4:25.36).

Ajay Watanakun's 20.27 50 freestyle time puts him in second in the conference while Jaeden-Hans Yburan is second in the 200 individual medley (1:48.76). 

Leo Han is second in both the 100 butterfly, thanks to his team record of 47.93, and the 100 backstroke (48.61). 

Diving:

The men's and women's diving teams enter the UAA Championships coming off stellar showings in their dual meet against West Chester University of Pennsylvania on January 21. The women's team swept both the one- and three-meter dives while the men's squad claimed first in both events.

"This conference meet is always one of the premier events of the season," Head Diving Coach Todd Kolean said. "The men's event is especially strong with five All-Americans in the field. Our two seniors Katherine Nardone and Hunter Whitbeck, and sophomore Issara Schmidt, have competed well at this event and at Emory's pool. I hope to continue that trend."

Competition will commence on February 8 with the men's one-meter dive at 12:45 p.m. and the 800 freestyle relays at 5:30 pm.