University of Georgia Athletics
Abby McCulloh Named SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year
April 30, 2025 | Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia senior swimmer Abby McCulloh, an NCAA champion and seven-time All-American, was named the 2024-25 Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as announced by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Wednesday.
McCulloh and Ole Miss baseball student-athlete Mason Nichols were selected by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from all 16 SEC institutions and will each receive a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship.
"This honor would not be possible without everyone at the University of Georgia," McCulloh said. "The resources provided here have allowed me to thrive both athletically and academically, and I am so grateful for the support system they have given here. My coaches, teammates, family, church, and the rest of the staff at UGA have inspired me and helped me grow into the person I am today."
The Lilburn, Georgia native is slated to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and currently holds a 4.0 GPA during her collegiate career. She is the ninth member of the Georgia women's swimming and diving program to receive the honor, the most of any SEC athletic program. Previous recipients included Virginia Diederich (1986), Linda Leith (1988), Deanne Burnett (1989), Kim Black (2001), Wendy Trott (2012), Shannon Vreeland (2014), Maddie Locus (2015), and Callie Dickinson (2023) while men's swimmer Andy DeVooght was recognized in 1997. Additionally, McCulloh marks the 12th Georgia student-athlete to be honored, surpassing Alabama for the most of any institution.
"I am delighted for Abby to receive this much-deserved honor," Tom Cousins Women's Swimming & Diving Head Coach Stefanie Williams Moreno said. "For four seasons, Abby has been the epitome of a true Bulldog, setting a tremendous example as a team leader both in and out of the water. Her drive and dedication to excellence as a student-athlete has inspired our entire program, and we are elated for her to continue this program's unmatched tradition of H. Boyd McWhorter Award recipients."
McCulloh accumulated a wealth of athletic and academic accolades during her four seasons in Athens. In the water, McCulloh qualified for the NCAA Championships each season and accumulated seven CSCAA All-America citations, including four First Team honors. She won the 2024 SEC and NCAA championships in the 1,650-yard freestyle, clinching the national title at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium to become Georgia's first female national champion in eight years. She also earned a silver medal in the 1,650y free (2025) and bronze medals in the 500y free (2024) and 1,650y free (2022). She two placements on the All-SEC Team and a spot on the 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. She left the program ranked second all-time in the 1,000y and 1,650y freestyle. Last summer, she also finished 10th in the 800-meter freestyle, 11th in the 1,500m freestyle and 15th in the 400m freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
In the academic realm, McCulloh was twice named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team (first team – 2024, second team – 2025), placed on three CSC Academic All-District, and was a two-time SEC Women's Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In the fall, she was bestowed with the 2024 Joel Eaves Scholar-Athlete Award for the UGA female senior student-athlete with the highest GPA entering the school year and currently serves as the female student-athlete representative to the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors.
McCulloh has been named to three CSCAA Scholar All-America First Teams, three SEC Academic Honor Rolls, and the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll in every semester. In January, she received the Keith Jackson Rose Bowl Game Postgraduate Scholarship and participated in a specialized work-study program at the Ohio State-Oregon College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Additionally, she was inducted this semester into the University of Georgia Chapter of the Blue Key National Honor Society.
McCulloh has also served a valuable role in the UGA and Athens communities, earning a spot on this year's SEC Swimming & Diving Community Service Team and a nomination for the Allstate/NACDA Winter Good Works Team. She has volunteered with numerous organizations during her four years. She works with Athens Church, serving as a guest services volunteer and welcoming attendees to the church. She has worked with children involved in ESP and Special Olympics, helping to organize their annual baseball game and prom. With Swim Across America, she fundraised for childhood cancer research and serves on the organization's college advisory board. Through Hilinski's Hope, she produced and filmed a video to support the foundation's efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. In the Athens area, she assisted with trash and invasive plant species removal on MLK Day of Service, delivered Christmas cards to local seniors at Presbyterian Village, and organized books for Books for Keeps.
Quotes on Abby McCulloh
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey
"Congratulations to both Abby and Mason, who stand as outstanding representatives of Southeastern Conference student-athletes. Their commitment to excellence in both academic and athletic pursuits is evident through their many accolades and achievements. The H. Boyd McWhorter Award represents the highest honor presented by the SEC to a student-athlete, and we commend them—along with their families and respective universities—on this distinguished recognition."
J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks
"The H. Boyd McWhorter Award is the highest honor earned by a student-athlete in the SEC, and there is no one more deserving than Abby McCulloh. As a national champion swimmer, a member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and a leader in many of our Georgia Way programs, Abby has been an outstanding representative of Georgia Athletics and has worked tirelessly to excel in all facets of the student-athlete experience. I congratulate Abby and her entire family as she joins an impressive line of Bulldogs who have earned this honor."
UGA Faculty Athletics Representative Professor David Shipley
"I have been writing recommendations in support of UGA's nominees for the SEC's prestigious McWhorter Award every year since 2010. Abby McCulloh made it easy for me because she is excellent in everything she does: All-American swimmer many times; superb grades; glowing references from her professors; many academic awards; one of the two student-athletes on the UGAAA Board; and involvement in student organizations. She does it all! Abby is very deserving of this high honor."
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)
2025 – Abby McCulloh (women's swimming and diving)
McCulloh and Ole Miss baseball student-athlete Mason Nichols were selected by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from all 16 SEC institutions and will each receive a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship.
"This honor would not be possible without everyone at the University of Georgia," McCulloh said. "The resources provided here have allowed me to thrive both athletically and academically, and I am so grateful for the support system they have given here. My coaches, teammates, family, church, and the rest of the staff at UGA have inspired me and helped me grow into the person I am today."
The Lilburn, Georgia native is slated to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and currently holds a 4.0 GPA during her collegiate career. She is the ninth member of the Georgia women's swimming and diving program to receive the honor, the most of any SEC athletic program. Previous recipients included Virginia Diederich (1986), Linda Leith (1988), Deanne Burnett (1989), Kim Black (2001), Wendy Trott (2012), Shannon Vreeland (2014), Maddie Locus (2015), and Callie Dickinson (2023) while men's swimmer Andy DeVooght was recognized in 1997. Additionally, McCulloh marks the 12th Georgia student-athlete to be honored, surpassing Alabama for the most of any institution.
"I am delighted for Abby to receive this much-deserved honor," Tom Cousins Women's Swimming & Diving Head Coach Stefanie Williams Moreno said. "For four seasons, Abby has been the epitome of a true Bulldog, setting a tremendous example as a team leader both in and out of the water. Her drive and dedication to excellence as a student-athlete has inspired our entire program, and we are elated for her to continue this program's unmatched tradition of H. Boyd McWhorter Award recipients."
McCulloh accumulated a wealth of athletic and academic accolades during her four seasons in Athens. In the water, McCulloh qualified for the NCAA Championships each season and accumulated seven CSCAA All-America citations, including four First Team honors. She won the 2024 SEC and NCAA championships in the 1,650-yard freestyle, clinching the national title at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium to become Georgia's first female national champion in eight years. She also earned a silver medal in the 1,650y free (2025) and bronze medals in the 500y free (2024) and 1,650y free (2022). She two placements on the All-SEC Team and a spot on the 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team. She left the program ranked second all-time in the 1,000y and 1,650y freestyle. Last summer, she also finished 10th in the 800-meter freestyle, 11th in the 1,500m freestyle and 15th in the 400m freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
In the academic realm, McCulloh was twice named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team (first team – 2024, second team – 2025), placed on three CSC Academic All-District, and was a two-time SEC Women's Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In the fall, she was bestowed with the 2024 Joel Eaves Scholar-Athlete Award for the UGA female senior student-athlete with the highest GPA entering the school year and currently serves as the female student-athlete representative to the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors.
McCulloh has been named to three CSCAA Scholar All-America First Teams, three SEC Academic Honor Rolls, and the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll in every semester. In January, she received the Keith Jackson Rose Bowl Game Postgraduate Scholarship and participated in a specialized work-study program at the Ohio State-Oregon College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Additionally, she was inducted this semester into the University of Georgia Chapter of the Blue Key National Honor Society.
McCulloh has also served a valuable role in the UGA and Athens communities, earning a spot on this year's SEC Swimming & Diving Community Service Team and a nomination for the Allstate/NACDA Winter Good Works Team. She has volunteered with numerous organizations during her four years. She works with Athens Church, serving as a guest services volunteer and welcoming attendees to the church. She has worked with children involved in ESP and Special Olympics, helping to organize their annual baseball game and prom. With Swim Across America, she fundraised for childhood cancer research and serves on the organization's college advisory board. Through Hilinski's Hope, she produced and filmed a video to support the foundation's efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. In the Athens area, she assisted with trash and invasive plant species removal on MLK Day of Service, delivered Christmas cards to local seniors at Presbyterian Village, and organized books for Books for Keeps.
Quotes on Abby McCulloh
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey
"Congratulations to both Abby and Mason, who stand as outstanding representatives of Southeastern Conference student-athletes. Their commitment to excellence in both academic and athletic pursuits is evident through their many accolades and achievements. The H. Boyd McWhorter Award represents the highest honor presented by the SEC to a student-athlete, and we commend them—along with their families and respective universities—on this distinguished recognition."
J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks
"The H. Boyd McWhorter Award is the highest honor earned by a student-athlete in the SEC, and there is no one more deserving than Abby McCulloh. As a national champion swimmer, a member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and a leader in many of our Georgia Way programs, Abby has been an outstanding representative of Georgia Athletics and has worked tirelessly to excel in all facets of the student-athlete experience. I congratulate Abby and her entire family as she joins an impressive line of Bulldogs who have earned this honor."
UGA Faculty Athletics Representative Professor David Shipley
"I have been writing recommendations in support of UGA's nominees for the SEC's prestigious McWhorter Award every year since 2010. Abby McCulloh made it easy for me because she is excellent in everything she does: All-American swimmer many times; superb grades; glowing references from her professors; many academic awards; one of the two student-athletes on the UGAAA Board; and involvement in student organizations. She does it all! Abby is very deserving of this high honor."
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)
2025 – Abby McCulloh (women's swimming and diving)
Players Mentioned
Fly / Back / IM
/ Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & DivingGeorgia Women's Swimming and Diving NCAA Day 4 Post-Meet Interview
Sunday, March 23
Georgia Women's Swimming and Diving NCAA Day 2 Post-Meet Interview
Friday, March 21
Georgia Women's Swimming and Diving NCAA Day 1 Post-Meet Interview
Thursday, March 20
Georgia Swim & Dive Feature - Abby McCulloh and Jake Magahey
Tuesday, March 18