Posted: Apr 08, 2020

CSCAA Names Wellesley Swimming's Jessica Wegner to All-America Team

Wegner qualified for her first NCAA Appearance in 2020 (Frank Poulin).

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has named Wellesley College swimming & diving sophomore Jessica Wegner (Taipei, Taiwan) to its All-American teams for the 2019-20 season. Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA Board adjusted the selection criteria for each Division. For Division III, Individuals and relays selected to the NCAA Championship were all named All-American.

"Jess was thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Wellesley College at the national level and was poised to swim very well," said Head Coach Bonnie Dix. "Jess really stepped up her training this season in terms of intensity and consistency in both the pool and the weight room this season. Her resiliency and competitiveness will undoubtedly help guide her back to an NCAA appearance."

Wegner was scheduled to make her first career NCAA appearance and compete in the 100-yard butterfly, 50-yard freestyle, and 100-yard backstroke. She finished the season ranked 15th in the nation in the 100 Fly and holds the Wellesley program record in the event at 55.57, a mark that she set to win gold at the 2020 NEWMAC Championships.

"Jess swam a phenomenal race in the 100 Butterfly at NEWMACs to win her second conference title," said assistant coach Dawn Dill. "Jess is known for her back-half speed and she was able to put together four incredible 25s for a new school record."

In all, Wegner owns six Wellesley program records, including: the 50 and 100 Fly, 100 and 200 IM, and as part of 200 and 400 Free Relay teams. She becomes the first Wellesley All-American since Maura Sticco-Ivins '18 earned her seventh All-America nod in 2018.

This isn't the first time the association adjusted All-America criteria. The first CSCAA All-America team was published in 1924, thirteen years before the first men's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship. The first women's All-America team was published in 1975, seven years prior to the first NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship. During much of that time, the team was selected by a panel of coaches. In 1985 the honor was standardized around the NCAA Championships with the top eight finalists receiving first-team recognition and consolation finalists being named Honorable Mention.

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.