Florida Freshman Duo Named SEC Men’s and Women’s Freshman Swimmer of the Week
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Pearson and Moreth each earned the first weekly award of their careers after their collegiate debuts.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following their performances in the split-site season-opening victories over Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt, Florida's freshman Tai Pearson and Maddie Moreth were recognized on Tuesday as part of the Southeastern Conference's first weekly awards of the season.
Pearson, a freshman from Cape Town, South Africa, was named SEC Men's Freshman Swimmer of the Week, while Moreth, a freshman from Valparaiso, Indiana, earned SEC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Week. The honors are the first career weekly accolades for both Gators, as Pearson and Moreth made their Florida debuts on Saturday, Sept. 26 against Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt, respectively.
SEC Men's Freshman Swimmer of the Week – Tai Pearson
Pearson contributed 13 points to Florida's total score, the most among the Gators' freshman. He recorded three personal bests, including his first collegiate win in the 100 Fly (47.67), a second-place finish in the 200 Fly (1:48.56), while leading off the 400 Free Relay with a 45.10 split to earn a second-place finish (3:00.37).
SEC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Week – Maddie Moreth
In her collegiate debut, Moreth contributed 18 individual points to the Gators' team total, sweeping the 100 (1:01.91) and 200 (2:15.05) breaststroke events, while swimming the 200 Medley Relay breaststroke leg en route to a first-place finish (1:39.42).
Week 1 Award Winners
Up Next
The Gators travel to Kentucky for a dual meet against the Wildcats on Oct. 2. Swimming events are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
Stay Connected
Fans can stay up to date with the Florida Gator swimming & diving teams by following @GatorsSwimDv on X and catch up with the latest news and content of the team. Like the team's Facebook page at Florida Gators Swimming & Diving Fans can also keep up with the team by following them on Instagram at @Gatorsswimdv.
Pearson, a freshman from Cape Town, South Africa, was named SEC Men's Freshman Swimmer of the Week, while Moreth, a freshman from Valparaiso, Indiana, earned SEC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Week. The honors are the first career weekly accolades for both Gators, as Pearson and Moreth made their Florida debuts on Saturday, Sept. 26 against Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt, respectively.
SEC Men's Freshman Swimmer of the Week – Tai Pearson
Pearson contributed 13 points to Florida's total score, the most among the Gators' freshman. He recorded three personal bests, including his first collegiate win in the 100 Fly (47.67), a second-place finish in the 200 Fly (1:48.56), while leading off the 400 Free Relay with a 45.10 split to earn a second-place finish (3:00.37).
SEC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Week – Maddie Moreth
In her collegiate debut, Moreth contributed 18 individual points to the Gators' team total, sweeping the 100 (1:01.91) and 200 (2:15.05) breaststroke events, while swimming the 200 Medley Relay breaststroke leg en route to a first-place finish (1:39.42).
Week 1 Award Winners
| Men's Swimmer | Tomas Koski, Georgia |
| Men's Diver | Max Spencer, South Carolina |
| Men's Freshman | Tai Pearson, Florida |
| Women's Co-Swimmers | Cadence Vincent, Alabama and Delaney Franklin, South Carolina |
| Women's Diver | Kyleigh Kidd, South Carolina |
| Women's Freshman | Maddie Moreth, Florida |
Up Next
The Gators travel to Kentucky for a dual meet against the Wildcats on Oct. 2. Swimming events are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
Stay Connected
Fans can stay up to date with the Florida Gator swimming & diving teams by following @GatorsSwimDv on X and catch up with the latest news and content of the team. Like the team's Facebook page at Florida Gators Swimming & Diving Fans can also keep up with the team by following them on Instagram at @Gatorsswimdv.
Players Mentioned
Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly/Back
/ Men's Swimming & DivingMonday, September 28
Friday, September 25
Friday, September 25
Friday, September 25
