Carson-Newman's Rachel Peden Named 2023 South Atlantic Conference Women's Swimming Scholar-Athlete of the Year
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Rachel Peden was voted 2023 South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.
The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.
Peden, a senior Psychology major, has a 3.9 grade point average and is a four-time Carson-Newman University Dean's List honoree. She was named a Platinum Scholar (4.0 GPA) at Carson-Newman during her freshman and junior year and a Gold Scholar (3.75 GPA or above) for her sophomore and senior year. Peden is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society which recognizes college juniors, seniors and graduate students who are in the top 10% of their class. Peden was just one of two South Atlantic Conference women's swimmers to be honored as a 2022-23 College Sports Communicators Women's Swimming and Diving Third Team Academic All-American.
In the pool, Peden is a two-time All-American and a three-time school record holder in the 1650 Freestyle (16:53.40), 1000 Freestyle (10:02.05), and 500 Freestyle (4:54.54). She was named the 2023 South Atlantic Conference Champion in the 400 Individual Medley with a time of 4:22.61 and was the 2023 SAC Runner-Up in the 500 Freestyle, 1000 Freestyle, and 1650 Freestyle. Peden placed 9th in the 1650 Free with a season-best time at the 2023 NCAA DII Championships, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors to conclude her stellar career.
Peden was awarded Carson-Newman's Nancy Claire Smith Award as a freshman, the Eagle Award as a sophomore, and the Most Valuable Player as a junior. She was named the South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Women's Swimmer of the Week for her performance during the eighth week of the 2022-23 swim season. Peden was named a Team Captain for the 2022-2023 season.
Women's Swimming Scholar-Athlete Finalists
Lily Sanocki, Wingate
Lisa Boernigen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Paige Gelenski, Emory & Henry
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