Swain named AUS football rookie of the year

HALIFAX, N.S. – Acadia Axemen kicker Nick Swain was awarded the 2024 AUS Rookie of the Year as Atlantic University Sport (AUS) announced this season’s major award winners and all-stars. Linebacker Riley Comeau and offensive tackle Nicolas Pilichos joined Swain in being named AUS All-Stars for Acadia.

Swain, a first-year Business Administration student from Moncton, N.B., earned rookie honours following an impressive season. Standing at 6'1, Swain was consistent, connecting on 7 of 9 field goal attempts and remaining perfect on extra-point attempts, going 10-for-10. A highlight of Swain’s season came in Week 3, when he nailed a game-winning 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Axemen over STFX, 24-22.

Swain is Acadia’s first Rookie of the Year since defensive lineman Adam Melanson received the distinction in 2013. He will represent the Atlantic conference as the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Peter Gorman Trophy for National Rookie of the Year.

Comeau, a fourth-year linebacker from Centreville, N.S., was instrumental in the Axemen’s defensive efforts, earning him his first AUS All-Star selection. Tackle Nicolas Pilichos, a fourth-year player from Bedford, N.S., anchored the offensive line and was also recognized as a 2024 all-star.

The Axemen will face Bishop’s in an AUS semifinal matchup on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. AST, with a spot in the Loney Bowl on the line.