February 11, 2026 – The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected six coaches to receive the Jean Freeman Scholarship, an annual award recognizing coaches whose contributions, leadership, integrity, and personal character reflect the values exemplified by Jean Freeman, the longtime women’s swimming coach at the University of Minnesota.
The 2026 Jean Freeman Scholarship recipients are Webster Bozzo (The College of New Jersey), Andrew Eckhart (University of North Carolina), Alyx Koert (University of Southern Indiana), Leonardo Litovsky (Skidmore College), Paige Tattersell (Pomona-Pitzer Colleges), and Daniella Navarrete Villegas (University of Findlay).
Bozzo joined The College of New Jersey as an assistant coach for the men’s team in September 2024. He oversees daily practice setup, team academic success and progress, and team travel. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bozzo swam for four years at Rider University, where he won three conference championships.
Eckhart joined the North Carolina swimming staff as an assistant coach in August 2025 after a longtime career in prep and club coaching. He brought 15 years of experience to Chapel Hill, having served in various roles in Sarasota and Miami, Florida. A four-year letterwinner at Eastern Michigan University, Eckhart was selected as a team captain during his senior year.
Koert joined the University of Southern Indiana staff in April 2024 as an assistant coach. She arrived from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where she served for two years as a graduate assistant for the men’s and women’s swimming programs before being promoted in 2023 to assistant coach. A graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne, Koert competed for the Bears in distance freestyle events and the 200-yard backstroke. She currently holds school records in the 1,000-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle events.
Litovsky joined Skidmore College prior to the 2022–23 season. In his first two years in Saratoga Springs, more than 40 school records were broken by the Thoroughbreds. In 2024, Litovsky was promoted to associate head coach and now oversees many aspects of the team’s technical and physiological training and development. A 2021 graduate of SUNY New Paltz, Litovsky was a standout swimmer and team captain for the Hawks.
Tattersell is in her first year with the Pomona-Pitzer Swim & Dive coaching staff after previously serving as a graduate assistant at Concordia University Irvine. There, she contributed to coaching, recruiting, and mentoring student-athletes while earning a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration. At CUI, she primarily coached the distance group and guided the men’s 800-yard freestyle relay team to victory at the 2024 PCSC Championship. Tattersell was a four-year student-athlete at Pepperdine University, where she earned nine All-PCSC First Team honors.
Navarrete Villegas joined the University of Findlay as an assistant coach in August 2023 following a stint at Lewis University, where she served as a volunteer coach. During her tenure, the women’s program finished fourth at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship—the highest finish in program history. Navarrete Villegas also competed collegiately at Lewis for five seasons and still holds the pool record as a member of the 200 freestyle relay. While at Lewis, she was a three-time member of the Panama National Team.
The Jean Freeman Scholarship supports the professional development of emerging coaches by covering registration and accommodations for recipients to attend the CSCAA Annual Meetings and Awards Banquet, as well as participate in the CSCAA Coach Academy.
“This scholarship is about more than recognition—it’s about investing in people,” said Samantha Barany, CSCAA Executive Director. “This cohort represents the next generation of leaders in our sport, and through the Coach Academy, they will gain a deeper understanding of the industry while expanding their perspective, skills, and professional network. In doing so, they help honor Jean Freeman’s legacy by carrying forward her commitment to learning, integrity, and service.”
Through this scholarship, the CSCAA proudly continues Jean Freeman’s lasting legacy by supporting coaches who demonstrate excellence on the pool deck and a dedication to lifelong learning and leadership within the profession.
Attendees may still register for the Coach Academy as an add-on to the Annual Meetings experience.
