Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Emma Weyant completed work toward her political science degree over the summer, but the UF senior swimming standout took her graduation walk during commencement ceremonies in May anticipating a conflict of Olympic proportion. 
 
Yes, you guessed it. 
 
Sure enough, Weyant raced to a bronze medal in the 400 individual medley at the Summer Games last week in Paris, clocking in at 4:34.93 to capture her second Olympic medal. Weyant won silver in the 2020 Games three years ago in Tokyo.
 
Could she have swam in France and hurried back to walk across the Exactech Arena/O'Connell stage in time this summer? Sure. But doing so on spec in May took the stress and drama out of a hasty return trip. In fact, it allowed Weyant and her family to peel off to the Bahamas this week for some post-Olympiad rest and relaxation. 
 
"We're doing some celebrating," Weyant said earlier this week. 
 
And rightfully so. 

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To review, the seven-time All American was a member of UF's 2024 NCAA-champion 800 freestyle relay in March, as well as runner-up in both the 500 free and 400 IM. Then came graduation, which allowed her to focus on the pressure-packed Olympic Trials in June. Once her spot on Team USA – alongside several teammates and UF Head Coach Anthony Nesty who was U.S. Head Men's Coach – was secured, Weyant zeroed in on her race. 
 
Weyant, 22, finished third behind Canada's Summer McIntosh (4:27.71), one of the standouts of the Games with three gold medals, and U.S. teammate Katie Grimes (4:33:40). 
 

 
Three years ago, following her freshman year at Virginia, Weyant (4:32.76) won silver behind Japan's Uhi Ohashi (4:32:08). In 2022, the Sarasota product transferred to Florida and in the last two seasons has helped key SEC championships for the Gators. 
 
"The second medal was a lot harder for me," she said. 
 
She had to bounce back from the disappointment of being disqualified from the 2023 U.S. National Championships that doubled as the World Championship trials. Ultimately, she navigated all the pitfalls and, unlike the Covid-impacted Games of '21, was able to get the full-blown Olympic experiences in the one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 
 
"The last time, in Tokyo, I didn't know what to expect and all veterans told us it was not a normal Olympics; that there was usually so much more energy," said Weyant, who this time got to immerse herself in the Games without masks, social distancing and limited crowds with plenty of family members there to cheer her on. "To be able to run up to them after the race, it was special." Next up on the "special" front for the Weyant family, Emma will return for a fifth collegiate season, thanks to her Covid year, and will be joined on the 2024-25 Gators squad by younger sister, Gracie, an outstanding prospect in her own right. 
 
The older Weyant, who graduated cum laude, will do a one-year master's program in business – while chasing more NCAA and Southeastern Conference championships – and has her sights set on going to law school, preferably at Florida. 
 
Her second Olympic experience is over, but an exciting final Gators chapter awaits. 
 
"Graduating was amazing," Weyant said. "I grew up visiting the University of Florida a lot, so getting a degree was a full circle moment for me, especially right before trials. It was such a huge month. This summer, has just been really awesome."