Courtesy of Camel Athletics
Every collegiate athlete strives to make a mark on their sport and the college for which they compete. Justin Finkel ‘25, decorated Connecticut College swimmer, has done just that. Over his four years as a Camel, Finkel earned All-NESCAC honors nine times and received eight All-America selections. As a first-year student, he swam in three events at the DIII NCAA Championships, setting a new school record in the 200-yard butterfly.
Finkel’s sophomore season featured the title of NESCAC Swimmer of the Year, becoming just the second Camel to earn this award. With a successful performance at the conference championships, he became only the third Connecticut College swimmer to win three individual titles in the same season. At the NCAA Championships, Finkel was the runner-up in both the 200 butterfly and the 500 freestyle, breaking school and NESCAC conference records simultaneously.
Building momentum and making a name for himself, this strong Camel swimmer earned the NESCAC Swimmer of the Year for his junior season as well. At nationals, Finkel won national titles in the 500 freestyle and 200 butterfly, with his time in the latter becoming a new DIII overall record. Connecticut College recorded the third-highest point total in program history, with all 55 earned by Justin Finkel. His 2023-2024 season was capped off with the CSCAA Division III Swimmer of the Year award, making him the first Connecticut College swimmer to receive this impressive honor.
With one year of eligibility left, Finkel set off to close out his collegiate career with the strongest senior season possible. This year at nationals, Finkel added two national titles to his collection and four All-American First Team selections. He became the college’s all-time leader for career national championships, with a total of four. After breaking NESCAC, NCAA DIII Championship, and NCAA DIII national records in the 200 fly, Finkel was named CSCAA Division III Swimmer of the Year for the second year in a row. This solidified him as the first DIII swimmer to earn the honor in consecutive seasons since 2004.
“Swimming has taught me the most life lessons out of anything I have pursued in my life…competitiveness, perseverance, and patience are three skills that I have developed as a swimmer, which I hope to maintain throughout my life,” he continued. His passion for the sport and the people is evident. Finkel’s personal highlight from his career is his first ever national title in the 500 free last year: “There is a humongous difference between watching the athletes receive the award and receiving it yourself; it is a moment I will never forget.” He goes on to speak about his teammates, who have been a large part of his experience as an athlete and competitor here at Connecticut College: “Putting my team’s success over everything else is…what really pushed me to perform at my peak. The guys on my team aren’t just my teammates, they are some of my best friends.”
Recently named The Jay Fielder Outstanding Jewish College Athlete of the Year by the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, Finkel plans to continue swimming, competing in a half ironman race in late July. After that, he will “be taking a much-needed step back to dedicate more time to [his] future ambitions. However, [he doesn’t] plan on dropping it completely.” After all, his historic career has taught him valuable skills and given him memories to cherish forever..
