The Youngstown State swimming and diving programs had eight student-athletes named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District Team, selected by College Sports Communicators, for their combined elite performance on the court and in the classroom. The organization announced its teams on Tuesday.
Representing the men's program are Lorenz Beck, Quinn Cynor, Zachary Lao, and James Slessor, while the members of the women's team that received the prestigious honor are Madelyn Mahoney, Amelia Matzke, Olivia Sweetman, and Natalie Weissman.
Beck, a sophomore Exercise Science major, is from Schwabach, Germany. He won three events this season, winning the 100 fly during a dual vs. Cleveland State, and 100 free and 200 free events during the YSU Invitational, while also helping the men's 800-free relay squad to a runners-up finish at the Horizon League Championships.
Cynor, a graduate student from Woodstock, Ill. Is pursuing his master's degree in health and human services. In his lone season with the Penguins, he captured 11 event victories, including a Horizon League title in the 500 free.
Lao, a senior majoring in astronomy and astrophysics, is a native of Minneapolis, Minn. He claimed one victory during the season, winning the one-meter dive with a score of 319.90. At the Horizon League Championships, he finished fourth in the three-meter dive with a score of 279.75 and finished seventh in the one-meter dive with a score of 259.65.
Slessor, a senior from Auckland, New Zealand, is majoring in business management. He won the 50 breaststroke at the YSU Invitational this season. At the Horizon League Championships, he finished second in the 100 breaststroke while also being part of the third-place 200-medley relay team and fifth-place 400-medley relay squad,
Mahoney, a senior from Pittsburgh, Pa., is studying primary education. She collected five top-five finishes this season and placed 17th in the 200 free at the Horizon League Championships.
Matzke, a sophomore from Bowling Green, Ky., is majoring in marketing. She collected two top-five finishes this season, while also placing 19th in the 1650 free at the Horizon League Championships.
Sweetman, a sophomore majoring in Business Management, is from Auckland, New Zealand. She was named the Horizon League Women's Swimmer of the Meet at this year's Horizon League Championships, the highest individual honor for a swimmer at the meet after winning three events, finishing first in the 200 free, 500 free, and 1650 free. Overall, Sweetman won 16 events this season for the 'Guins.
Weissman, a graduate student from Buffalo, N.Y., is pursuing her master's degree in athletic training. She had five top-five finishes as a diver this season for the 'Guins.
For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 season, follow @YSUSwimDive on X.
