NEW LONDON, Conn. – Connecticut College senior Justin Finkel (Cheshire, Conn.) was a repeat selection as the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Division III Men's Swimmer of the Year, as announced on Monday in the organization's release of award winners and All-Americans for the 2024-25 season.

Finkel is the first DIII swimmer to earn the honor in consecutive seasons since 2004. This past weekend he capped his collegiate career with a pair of national titles and four All-America First Team performances at the 2025 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C. 

On the opening night of the championship, Finkel earned a pair of podium spots to get the Camels off to a strong start. He successfully defended his title in the 500 freestyle, pulling away over the final 100 yards and posting a winning time of 4:22.43. Later in the evening he helped power the 400 medley relay team to an eighth-place finish, Conn's best relay showing at nationals since 2014.

Two days later Finkel also defended his title in the 200 butterfly, breaking his own NCAA Division III record in the final individual swim of his career. He touched the wall in 1:42.64—shattering the mark of 1:43.21 he set in last year's winning effort—to earn the fourth national title of his career.

Finkel, who also secured a third-place finish in the 100 fly, owns the most individual national titles in school history. He finishes his career as a 12-time All-America selection, tying the men's program record held by Sam Gill '14. 

Conn College finished 16th out of 47 scoring teams in the men's field with 89 points, the second-highest finish and point total in the program's 18 NCAA Championship appearances. A total of six Camels qualified for the championships.

The coach and athlete of the year awards were determined by a vote of CSCAA-Member Division III head swimming coaches and head diving coaches. The All-American team was selected on the basis of their finish at the NCAA Championships and a team's current membership with the CSCAA. Only student-athletes who competed in their championship finals are eligible for All-America Honors. NCAA relays & individuals must score in the top eight to earn first-team honors while those who finish ninth through sixteenth earn second-team honors.

Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is the first professional association of college coaches in the United States. The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level.

Finkel's 2025 Resume
- CSCAA Division III Men's Swimmer of the Year
- National champion in the 500 free
- National champion in the 200 fly
- Became Conn College's all-time leader for career national championships (4)
- All-America First Team in the 500 free, 100 fly, 200 fly and 400 medley relay 
- Broke NCAA DIII national, NCAA Championship, school and NESCAC records in the 200 fly
- For the second year in a row, qualified for championship finals in three events as an individual
- NESCAC Swimmer of the Year 
- NESCAC champion in the 500 free and 200 fly