Six Bulldogs Earn Academic All-ASUN Honors

FULL ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE RELEASE

ATLANTA, Ga. - Six members of UNC Asheville Women's Swimming and Diving have earned Academic All-ASUN honors, announced by the league today (Mar. 17).

Senior Beatrice Cocconcelli, junior Alessia Cunegatti, junior Anna Kate Halligan, senior Anna Marcotti, junior Rose Sciaudone and junior Taylor Smith each earned the honor for the Bulldogs. To earn Academic All-ASUN honors, a student-athlete must:

Participate in at least 50 percent of competitions during this season
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher
Have completed four semesters of college coursework and have one year of residence at the institution.

Cocconcelli has posted a 3.74 grade point average in psychology, with minors in biology and environmental science. She scored 40 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships and also competed on four relays.

This is Cocconcelli's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Bologna, Italy.

Cunegatti has worked to a 3.81 grade point average with a double major in business and mass communications. She scored 53 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships, including qualifying for one A final and two B finals.

This is Cunegatti's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Verona, Italy.

Halligan has posted a 3.74 grade point average in business, with a minor in finance. She scored 58 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships, qualifying for two A finals and one B final.

This is Halligan's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Fort Mill, S.C.

Marcotti has earned a 3.96 grade point average in business management, with a specialty in accounting. She scored 56 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships, including qualifying for one A final and two B finals while also competing on four relay teams. Marcotti was also named ASUN Swimmer of the Week twice this season.

This is Marcotti's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Pordenone, Italy.

Sciaudone posts a 4.0 grade point average in computer science with a minor in mathematics. She scored 28 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships.

This is Sciaudone's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Raleigh, N.C.

Smith has posted a 3.94 grade point average in health sciences. She scored 13.5 individual points at the 2026 ASUN Championships, including swimming on two relay teams.

This is Smith's first career Academic All-ASUN honor. She is a native of Stephens City, Va.

"It's always a pleasure to reward the scholastic successes of such high achieving team members," said head coach Elizabeth Lykins. "We could only nominate six for this award, but I am proud to note many additional team members meet the criteria for this recognition."

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.