University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Abby McCulloh Continues PB Drop with NCAA Title
March 25, 2024 | Women's Swimming & Diving
By Kaylin Vidal, Georgia Sports Communications Student Assistant
ATHENS, Ga. – Abby McCulloh wrapped up her best season with a national title in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday evening, marking Georgia's first individual national champion since 2016.
With a time of 15:37.74, the junior swam a pool record, her personal best, and the second-fastest mile in program history for the win.
"My team has really gotten me to where I am, and it makes me so emotional because I have the best staff and the best teammates," McCulloh said. "Even if I don't have the most confidence myself, God has blessed me with the most amazing people around me to give me that confidence."
McCulloh entered the NCAA Championship with the fastest mile in the nation this season. She was over five seconds ahead of the second-fastest qualifying time.
Ahead of competing in the mile, she recorded a personal best in the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday, placing sixth in the event.
The Bulldog from Lilburn attributes her improvement this season to her teammates and coaches. She said that her teammates push her to do better and she does the same for them.
"I've told them any success that any of us has is not just one of us," said McCulloh. "This victory is every single one of us."
McCulloh is proud to be Tom Cousins Women's Swimming & Diving Head Coach Stefanie Williams Moreno's first swimmer to win it all. After her victory, McCulloh joked with Moreno that the entire race she was just thinking about her and being her first national champion.
Overall, the team finished thirteenth, the highest placement since 2021.
For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).
ATHENS, Ga. – Abby McCulloh wrapped up her best season with a national title in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday evening, marking Georgia's first individual national champion since 2016.
With a time of 15:37.74, the junior swam a pool record, her personal best, and the second-fastest mile in program history for the win.
"My team has really gotten me to where I am, and it makes me so emotional because I have the best staff and the best teammates," McCulloh said. "Even if I don't have the most confidence myself, God has blessed me with the most amazing people around me to give me that confidence."
McCulloh entered the NCAA Championship with the fastest mile in the nation this season. She was over five seconds ahead of the second-fastest qualifying time.
Ahead of competing in the mile, she recorded a personal best in the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday, placing sixth in the event.
The Bulldog from Lilburn attributes her improvement this season to her teammates and coaches. She said that her teammates push her to do better and she does the same for them.
"I've told them any success that any of us has is not just one of us," said McCulloh. "This victory is every single one of us."
McCulloh is proud to be Tom Cousins Women's Swimming & Diving Head Coach Stefanie Williams Moreno's first swimmer to win it all. After her victory, McCulloh joked with Moreno that the entire race she was just thinking about her and being her first national champion.
Overall, the team finished thirteenth, the highest placement since 2021.
For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).
Players Mentioned
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