KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Emily Jones made history on Friday as the UA senior became Alabama swimming and diving’s first-ever female Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced.

Jones holds a perfect 4.0 GPA and will graduate with a degree in sport management. The Newcastle, Australia, native has captured a pair of silver medals and a bronze medal at this week’s SEC Championships.

Highlights

• First Alabama female to earn SEC Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year, joining male recipients Derek Maas (2023), Zane Waddell (2020), Robert Howard (2019), Luke Kaliszak (2018), Connor Oslin (2016, 2017) and Vlad Polyakov (2006)
• Silver medalist at the 2026 SEC Championships with the 200 medley relay team and in the 100 backstroke
• Won bronze with the women’s 400 medley relay at this year’s conference championships
• Jones is a seven-time All-American and three-time All-SEC honoree, which includes an All-SEC First Team and All-Freshman Team selection in 2023
• Broke four Alabama Aquatic Center records this season, posting a new standard in the 100 back, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay and 200 free relay
• Ranks second in Alabama history in both the 100 and 200 backstroke
• 2025 CSC Academic All-American
• 2024 SEC Honor Roll and 2023 SEC First-Year Honor Roll honoree