Senior men’s athlete of the year: Matt Fallon

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Credit: Jean Park

Very few will get the chance to experience a senior year like senior breaststroke specialist Matt Fallon did. Even preceding his final year wearing the Red and Blue in the pool, Fallon had already accomplished the dream for most young swimmers: an Olympic berth. Last year, en route to punching a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Fallon smashed the American record set in 2016 and became the first American in history to break the 2:07 barrier in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Due to falling ill on race day, Fallon ultimately finished 10th at the Olympics despite being projected to medal. Despite this, Fallon had a lot to be proud of when he returned to Penn in the fall. During the championship season, Fallon led a young breaststroke group behind him in the 200-yard breaststroke at the Ivy League championships — finishing first in his signature event with two fellow Quakers finishing third and fourth — while notching the fastest time in the NCAA. 

At the 2025 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, while coming in as top seed, Fallon finished as the runner-up in the 200 breast after a huge upset by Indiana breaststroke specialist Jassen Yep. Fallon, though, closed out his career with a third All-American honor and followed the championships up with a win at the TYR Pro Swim Series just a couple days later. Fallon recently collected the Class of 1915 Award, given to a male student-athlete who best exemplifies the spirit and tradition of Penn athletics.

Though having a nonlinear collegiate swimming career with injuries and unfortunate illnesses, Fallon persevered and shined on the most important stage — the U.S. Olympic Trials — to forever be remembered as not only an Olympian but also a determined leader during his years at Penn. 

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