Four Bulldogs Earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Honors

FULL COLLEGE SPORTS COMMUNICATORS RELEASE

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Four UNC Asheville swimmers have earned Academic All-District® honors from College Sports Communicators, announced by the organization today (Tuesday, Apr. 7).

Senior Beatrice Cocconcelli, junior Alessia Cunegatti, junior Anna Kate Halligan and senior Anna Marcotti earned the honors for the Bulldogs. This is the fourth consecutive year that Asheville has had multiple swimmers and divers earn the award.

To earn the honor, a student-athlete must meet the following criteria:

Must be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically
At least a 3.5 cumulative GPA
Eligible individuals need to compete in four competitions OR finish top eight at a conference meet.

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-District 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-District 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-District 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-District honor. She is a native of Pordenone, Italy.

"Congratulations to these ladies for such an outstanding achievement!" said head coach Elizabeth Lykins. "To be recognized for successes in the classroom and the pool is a true testament of their unwavering work ethic."

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.