Women's Swimming and Diving | 6/20/2022 9:22:28 AM
Taylor Robey of the Nazareth College swimming and diving team was named the 2021-22 Empire 8 Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, based on a vote by the conference Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs). The award honors one female student-athlete who best exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated scholar and athlete over the course of their collegiate careers.
Robey wrapped up her incredible career for the Golden Flyers in 2021-22, earning All-American honors by placing fifth in the 50-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Division III Championships. She entered the meet with the fastest time in Division III on the season.
Robey was named the 2021-22 Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year and 2022 Empire 8 and Allegheny Empire Championship Swimmer of the Meet. Robey broke Empire 8 Championship records in both the 50-yard freestyle in 22.95 seconds and 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.54 seconds. In addition, Robey also won the 200-yard freestyle at the championship meet and was part of the victorious 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams in addition to the 200- and 400-yard medley relay squads.
A five-year standout, Robey led Nazareth to four consecutive Empire 8 Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships and finished her career having won 18 different Empire 8 Championship events. She was a three-time Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year (2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22) and was the 2017-18 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. In addition, Robey was the 2019 and 2022 Empire 8 Championship Swimmer of the Meet and Rookie of the Meet in 2018.
On a national scale, Robey competed at both the 2019 and 2022 NCAA Division III Championships, while having both the 2020 and 2021 Championships wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a four-time CSCAA All-American selection (50-yard freestyle, 2020; 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle, 2021; 50-yard freestyle, 2022).
“When speaking about any aspect of Taylor Robey, there are a few things that are a common theme no
matter what the situation is,” said Nazareth head swimming and diving coach Chris Heckman. “These characteristics are passion, persistence, leadership, and compassion. Taylor has done some amazing things in the pool, which would include setting countless team and school records. More importantly, Taylor has helped mentor many underclassmen swimmers and has always been an extra resource to the team. She has always put the team first, takes immense pride in what she does and gives back to those around her to help the program succeed.”
A native of Hurley, N.Y., Robey recently earned her master’s degree in music education from Nazareth, while carrying a tremendous 3.92 grade-point average as an undergraduate and 4.0 as a graduate student. She was a four-time CSCAA Scholar All-American and was a nine-time member of the Empire 8 President's List for student-athletes with GPAs of 3.75. Robey was Nazareth’s Master’s of Music Education Department Excellence Award Winner Award Winner in 2022 and. is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
“Taylor Robey is the embodiment of an Empire 8 student-athlete at the most elite level,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “She approaches academics and athletic competition with passion and has been relentless since the day she stepped on the Nazareth College campus. Empire 8 has a long history of excellence in Swimming and Diving and Taylor has distinguished herself amongst the best to hit the pool in our existence. Moreover, she is a leader with principles, compassion and invests in those around her as a mentor and role model.
Outside of the pool and classroom, Robey served as Vice President of Nazareth’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and won the Golden Flyers’ prestigious Robert A. Kidera Scholar-Athlete Award in 2021.
“Taylor has been a tremendous representative of the Nazareth athletic program and the college overall," said Nazareth Athletic Director Pete Bothner. "She came back (in 2021-22) to swim for a fifth season with a goal of becoming an All-American and she came through with flying colors in a very competitive event.”
2021-22 Empire 8 Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalists
Abigail Austin, Alfred University – Soccer
Alyssa Waters, Elmira College – Basketball
Rebecca Peakes, Hartwick College – Field Hockey
Hannah Haskell, Houghton College – Softball/ Basketball
Taylor Robey, Nazareth College – Swimming and Diving
Carli Kovarik, St. John Fisher College – Soccer
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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