2026 SUNYAC Women's Swimming & Diving Top Accolades Announced
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC announces its 2026 women's swimming and diving top honorees including the Swimmer of the Year, Diver of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Swimming Coaching Staff of the Year and Diving Coach of the Year. These awards are nominated and voted on by the conference coaches.
Women's Swimmer of the Year - Jayna Laferriere, Oswego
Laferriere was named the Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle races at the SUNYAC championships. She broke the school record in the 100 yard freestyle that she set last year. Laferriere also had multple podium finishes in relays to help her team take third place overall at the league meet. Laferriere was named the SUNYAC Swimmer of the Week three times this season.
Women's Diver of the Year and Rookie of the Year - Auttumn Ayakawa, Cortland
Ayakawa was the SUNYAC champion in both 1-meter and 3-meter dives. She was named the SUNYAC Diver of the Meet for her performances. Ayakawa competed at the NCAA Division III Region 4 (Northeast-South) Diving Regionals where she finished 11th in the 3-meter and 15th in the 1-meter board.
Swimming Coaching Staff of the Year – Cortland
Head coach Brian Tobin is assisted by Beth Tomlinson, Alex Zelinski, Mason Rowlands, Tom Eickelberg and Ryan Hagadorn. The staff led their team to its second-straight and sixth overall conference crown this season. There were 12 All-SUNYAC honorees who finished first, second or third at the league championship meet.
Diving Coach of the Year – Veronica Ribot-Canales, Cortland
Ribot-Canales coached the first place (Auttumn Ayakawa) and second place (Alyssa Haberlack) divers on both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives at the SUNYAC championship. Ayakawa was named the Diver of the Meet after winning both dives. Those two divers advanced to the NCAA Division III Region 4 (Northeast-South) Diving Regionals where they finished 11th and 13th on the 3-meter and 15th and 22nd on the 1-meter. Ribot-Canales was also named the SUNYAC Diving Coach of the Meet.
