Hamilton College's Nathaniel Taft '27 (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde HS) was selected the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Rookie of the Year after the conclusion of the 2024 NESCAC Men's Swimming & Diving Championships at the Colby College Aquatic Center on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Taft is the first rookie of the year from Hamilton since the award's inception in 2013. He also earned all-conference honors in three freestyle events. Any athlete who finishes in the top three of an individual or relay event is an all-conference performer.

Taft captured first place in the 50-yard free with a time of 19.84 seconds on Feb. 23. His time of 19.83 seconds in the morning's preliminary heats broke his own team record and made an NCAA championships 'B' cut.

On Feb. 24, Taft landed in second place in the 200 free with a time of 1:36.59. He went even faster in prelims in 1:36.22, and once again he eclipsed his own team record and made an NCAA 'B' cut. 

Taft returned to the top of the podium on Sunday as he saved his best performance for last. He took first place in the 100 free in 43.71 seconds, but his time of 43.57 seconds in prelims set team, pool and meet records, and made another NCAA 'B' cut.

The selection announcement for the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28.