Senior Sophie Verzyl has been named the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Diver of the Year, according to a March 24 announcement. She is the first athlete from the South Carolina Gamecocks program to receive this honor.
Verzyl’s recognition comes after she won her first national title in the 3-meter dive at the 2026 NCAA Championships. This achievement also marks the first national title for a Gamecock in that event. In addition to her victory, Verzyl finished second in the 1-meter dive at nationals.
Verzyl is now a four-time All-American, having previously earned second-team All-America honors in both diving events last season. The Columbia, S.C., native also swept both springboard events at this year’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships and defended her title in the 3-meter event. She was named SEC Diver of the Meet for her performances.
Over the course of this season, Verzyl collected thirteen event wins and received five SEC Diver of the Week awards. She set a new program record in the 1-meter dive and holds a pool record for that event at Allen Jones Aquatic Center at University of Tennessee.
The award highlights Verzyl’s historic contributions to South Carolina’s swimming and diving program.