Riley Edmundson '25 Named NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee

FULL BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE RELEASE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Swimming and Diving alum Riley Edmundson '25 has been named the school's NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. Edmundson becomes the third NCAA Woman of the Year nominee in program history.

Edmundson graduated from Asheville in May 2025 with a bachelor's degree in economics and a minor in psychology. For her undergraduate career she posted a 3.92 grade point average. Edmundson was heavily involved on UNC Asheville's campus and in the Asheville community in her time on campus, serving as a volunteer with Laundry Love helping homeless and under-privileged individuals with their laundry. She also taught youth swim lessons, was involved in UNC Asheville's Leaders for Leaders program, was a Mental Health Ambassador for the Women's Swim and Dive team and was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

In the pool, she was a team captain for three years as well as earning the Coach's Award in 2022, the Hardest Worker Award in 2023 and the Swimmer of the Year Award from UNC Asheville Swim and Dive in 2025. She holds the freshman record in the 200-yard butterfly, and was also named the Janice Brumit Rising Star Award winner at UNC Asheville's Our Turn To Play event in 2025. She was also a two-time All-Conference selection in the 200 Fly, earning Second Team All-CCSA honors in 2022 and All-ASUN Third Team honors in 2024. Academically, she was named to either the Chancellor's List or the Dean's List all eight semesters and was also a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection.

"It is an honor to have Riley Edmundson recognized as the Big South nominee for the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year award!" said head swimming and diving coach Elizabeth Lykins. "During her career at UNC Asheville she learned and grew as a person, a swimmer and a leader on the team and within the community. We are so very proud to give her this well-earned recognition. Congratulations, Riley, on your nomination!"

About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank

First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Riley Edmundson '25 Named NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee

Players Mentioned

Riley Edmundson

Related Videos