Swimming & Diving: Will Thompson, 22-time GNAC Champion and 27-time All-Conference honoree, honored as 2024-25 GNAC Athlete of the Year for Men's Sports

Following a remarkable four-year career marked by championship dominance, unwavering leadership, and deep-rooted service to both his team and university, Norwich University men's swimming & diving standout Will Thompson (Downingtown, Pa.) has been named the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for Men's Sports, as announced by the league office on Friday afternoon.

Thompson becomes just the second male athlete in Norwich history to receive the GNAC's highest individual honor for graduating student-athletes, joining fellow swimming & diving icon Benjamin Stark '24, who earned the award last year.  Together with Emily Oliver '19, the school's lone GNAC Woman of the Year honoree, Thompson enters an exclusive class of Cadets recognized for excellence across academics, athletics, leadership, and service during their time in maroon and gold.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I can't imagine any other way to top off my four years at Norwich," Thompson said.  "I never would've imagined that I would be capable of achieving this when I started at Norwich, and I know that this achievement is a result of the hard work put in by myself, my coaches, and my teammates, both of whom I thank tremendously."

His selection caps a decorated collegiate journey that saw him transform from promising rookie to one of the most dominant athletes in conference history: a force in the pool, a leader in the Corps of Cadets, and a cornerstone of Norwich's sustained championship culture.

"We are once again incredibly proud to have a Norwich student-athlete selected as the GNAC Athlete of the Year," said Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics.  "Will is an amazing young man - an exceptional athlete, a great student, and an outstanding member of the Corps of Cadets.  He was not only an exceptional performer on our championship swim team, but very clearly a leader by word and example on the team whose work ethic, encouragement, and motivation helped his teammates perform their best while also maintaining the very high standards within our swimming and diving program.

We are tremendously proud of Will, we thank him for all he has done for Norwich, and we are grateful that our GNAC colleagues recognized the excellence in Division III collegiate athletics that Will Thompson embodies."

A five-time GNAC Swimmer of the Week, Thompson exits as one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever compete for Norwich, with 22 GNAC championships to his name, including nine individual titles and 13 more as a relay contributor.  His trophy-laden career included 27 All-Conference honors, with eight selections in each of his final two seasons and seven more as a sophomore, underscoring both consistency and growth throughout his time in the pool.

After contributing to a single GNAC relay championship as a rookie in 2021-22, Thompson's rise was both swift and relentless.  He broke out with six titles in 2022-23, followed by a career-best eight in 2023-24.  He closed his senior season with seven GNAC crowns, helping to secure Norwich's third straight GNAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championship.

In the water, Thompson was a technician and a competitor, most notably in the breaststroke events.  He leaves Norwich holding program records in the 50-yard (25.84), 100-yard (57.19), and 200-yard (2:09.03) breaststroke, and is a member of four record-setting relay teams, including the 200 (1:24.73) and 400 (3:08.63) freestyle relays and the 200 (1:33.93) and 400 (3:29.16) medley relays.  He also played a pivotal role in three GNAC Championship meet records, posting top times in the 50-yard breaststroke (25.84), 400 freestyle relay (3:12.22), and 200 medley relay (1:35.30) across multiple seasons.

His accolades were not confined to numbers alone.  Thompson was honored as the team's Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 and later selected as the program's 2023-24 Athlete of the Year, recognizing not just athletic ability, but leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication.

"Will's dedication to the sport and his team has been nothing short of inspiring," said Head Coach Jennifer Cournoyer, who led the Cadets to GNAC titles in each of Thompson's final three seasons.  "He consistently showed up for those early morning practices, driven by a fierce competitive spirit that not only elevated his performance but also that of his teammates.

I enjoyed strategizing with him about relays as he would point out his teammates' strengths.  It's a true honor to see him recognized as Male Athlete of the Year for the GNAC.  As he transitions from the pool to a new chapter as a state police officer, I have no doubt he'll approach this next challenge with the same determination and commitment he displayed in college.  We'll miss him greatly, but we can't wait to see the impact he'll make in the community."

Beyond his performance between the lanes, Thompson established himself as a leader in all areas of campus life.

A member of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, he served in the prestigious Regimental Guard Mount Section, ultimately rising to Officer in Charge (OIC) as a senior.  In that role, he modeled the discipline, accountability, and professionalism that defined both his athletic and military experiences at Norwich.

In the classroom, Thompson maintained a 3.36 GPA while balancing the demands of elite collegiate athletics and Corps leadership.  He was a two-time GNAC All-Academic Team honoree, embodying the NCAA Division III commitment to holistic student-athlete development.

Thompson's leadership extended beyond the pool deck, where he helped guide relays, supported his teammates' development, and shaped the team's culture through example.

Thompson's collegiate arc coincided with Norwich's rise as a dominant force in GNAC men's swimming.  With Thompson as a central figure, the Cadets captured three straight conference titles from 2023 to 2025.  His ability to compete at a high level across multiple strokes and distances gave Norwich the flexibility and firepower to secure key points at championship meets.

With Thompson's selection, Norwich becomes the first institution in GNAC history to produce back-to-back Male Athlete of the Year honorees.  Last year, Benjamin Stark '24 was honored after a 14-title career and Navy commission.  This year, Thompson's legacy builds on that foundation with his own record-breaking trajectory and quiet leadership.

His award also adds to Norwich's growing legacy in conference-wide honors.  In 2019, Emily Oliver '19 earned GNAC Woman of the Year, capping off a legendary three-sport career in volleyball, basketball, and softball.  Thompson's honor also comes on the heels of Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics, being named the GNAC Executive (AD) of the Year in late June.

Prior to his nomination, Thompson was asked to provide a personal statement to support his esteemed resume and discuss how his collegiate career has shaped him, including through academics, achievements, service, and leadership.  He shared the following as his personal statement:

Throughout my four years at Norwich University, I've grown through the unique challenges of scholarship, athletics, and leadership within a military college environment.  As a member of the Corps of Cadets, a collegiate swimmer, and a committed public servant, I've learned that leadership is grounded in service, resilience, and discipline.  These experiences have shaped my character and empowered me to lead with integrity, whether on campus, as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine, or in my future career as a State Trooper.  Each challenge has strengthened my confidence and commitment to serving others.

Some of my most impactful academic experiences came from practical exercises in my intelligence courses.  In these simulations, classmates and I worked in assigned roles to analyze and present findings on real-world terror threats.  These collaborative problem-solving opportunities gave me a firsthand sense of the complexity of national security work.  They strengthened my communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills, which are essential to a successful law enforcement career.  Balancing these demands with a full athletic schedule required me to grow as a student and strengthen my time management skills.

My experience as a student-athlete was integral to my development as a leader.  Across all four years on the swim team, I regularly participated in optional double practices and additional meets, including competitions against top Division I, II, and III programs, which provided me the opportunity to represent Norwich at some of the biggest meets in the country, including at the U.S. Naval Academy.  These early-morning practices pushed me to physical and mental exhaustion, teaching me the value of discipline and perseverance.  I was honored to serve as the men's team captain in my senior year.  That role allowed me to motivate my teammates, lead extra practices, and practice leadership within a tight-knit group.

My leadership development extended well beyond the pool.  As a cadet leader during my junior and senior years, I held two different positions in the Corps of Cadets, overseeing up to 10 peers while coordinating with a staff of 10-15 and working closely with the Commandant's office.  Leading in a dynamic environment alongside 18-year-old college sophomores and seasoned combat veterans gave me a uniquely diverse and challenging leadership setting.  These experiences taught me adaptability, humility, and communication skills across experience levels and backgrounds.

Outside the academic year, I served as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Ogunquit, Maine, during the summers of 2023, 2024, and now 2025.  In 2024, I was promoted to Head Guard of Community Outreach.  In that role, I helped lead public education initiatives focused on water safety, coordinated department messaging through social media, and served as a liaison between our team and the community.  Throughout my work in that position, I deepened my understanding of public service and community involvement, both of which are values that I intend to prioritize throughout my career in law enforcement.

The GNAC Athlete of the Year is selected annually from among graduating student-athletes nominated by each member institution.  Finalists are evaluated based on academic performance, athletic accomplishments, leadership, and community involvement.

Thompson graduated from Norwich this past spring and is preparing for a career in law enforcement, with plans to join the state police in Maine.  His legacy endures not only in records and medals, but in the example he set for others: disciplined, resilient, and wholly committed to his craft.

He leaves the program as one of its most accomplished competitors and most admired teammates, a student-athlete whose name now sits among the most distinguished in Norwich and GNAC history.  His impact, both measurable and immeasurable, will ripple through the Norwich swimming program long after his final race.