Emory University seniors Jeff Echols, Nolan Lahmann and Liyang Sun were recognized Wednesday afternoon by the College Sports Communicators organization as all three swimmers landed on the Academic All-America First Team for Division III.
They are the second, third and fourth honorees from swimming & diving to earn the prestigious honor after sophomore Natalie Boorjian was tabbed to the CSC Academic All-America Third Team on Tuesday. With the three additional men's selections, it brings Emory's department total to 232 Academic All-America recipients in its history.
The senior trio were instrumental during the 2024-25 season in leading the Eagles to a national runner-up team performance at the NCAA Championships in March as well as the team winning its 26th consecutive University Athletic Association championship.
Echols ends his tremendous career with his second consecutive selection to the CSC Academic All-America First Team. As a senior, Echols was a catalyst in the Eagles' 200 Medley Relay winning a national championship for the fourth straight season and was part of the 400 Medley Relay's national runner-up efforts. As an individual, Echols earned All-America Second Team acclaim as he finished 12th in the 100 Butterfly and competed in the 200 Butterfly prelims, placing 18th overall. Earlier in the year, Echols was an All-UAA performer in the 100 Butterfly, finishing third, and won the conference title in the 200 Medley Relay. He was an additional finalist in the 200 Butterfly, taking seventh overall, and was 11th in the 100 Backstroke. As a Psychology major, Echols carries a 3.96 grade point average.
Lahmann makes his first-ever appearance on the CSC Academic All-America roster after he capped off his Emory swimming career earlier this spring. As a senior, Lahmann joined Echols as part of the Eagles' national championship-winning 200 Medley Relay and was on the national runner-up relay team in 400 Medley. He added a podium finish to his resume as he helped the 200 Freestyle Relay to a seventh-place finish and tallied All-America Second Team honors in the 200 Backstroke (10th) and 100 Backstroke (12th). Furthermore, Lahmann was a national qualifier in the 100 Butterfly, finishing 22nd overall. At the UAA Championships, Lahmann secured All-UAA nods in a pair of relays, aiding the efforts of the winning 200 Medley Relay and was conference runners-up in the 200 Freestyle Relay. He was an individual finalist in the 100 Backstroke (7th), 200 Backstroke (9th), and 50 Freestyle (14th) and helped the 400 Medley Relay B team win the consolation final. Lahmann boasts a 3.89 GPA while majoring in Chemistry.
Sun joins Lahmann as a first-time honoree by the CSC organization as he owns a 3.75 GPA as a Biology major. Sun's Emory career ended in storybook fashion as he captured the 200 Breaststroke national championship in his final event while wearing an Emory cap. Additionally, Sun earned All-America Second Team recognition with his 10th place finish in the 200 Breaststroke and was a national qualifier in the 200 IM where he finished 35th. At the UAA Championships in Atlanta, Sun was the conference champion in the 200 Breaststroke, the runner-up in the 100 Breaststroke, and won a pair of consolation finals in the 200 IM and as part of the 200 Medley Relay B team.
The CSC Academic All-America team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. To be nominated, student-athletes must be a key member of their respective teams, maintain at least a 3.50 grade point average and be of sophomore standing or higher.
All three Eagles were among four from men's swimming & diving nominated and honored on the CSC Academic All-District list which was announced earlier this month. Among the honorees was senior Crow Thorsen who earned All-District acclaim after being a CSC Academic All-America Third Team selection as a junior. Select athletes were then chosen to be placed on the Academic All-America ballot and voted on by College Sports Communicators and Sports Information Directors across all Division III institutions.
To view the full College Sports Communicators announcement, please click here.
