Fernanda Celidonio

The 15 Cardinals posed at the Georgia Pool at NCAA practice

Fernanda Celidonio celebrates after her prelim swim

The 800 free relay team celebrates their silver medal

2022 NCAA Women's Team pose at the venue

800 Free Relay Podium shot for the women

Photo by: Karl L. Moore

Class:
Junior
Position:
Backstroke/IM/Freestyle
Hometown:
Brasilia, Brazil

2024-25: Fernanda Celidonio had notable performances during the 2024-2025 season. At the 2025 ACC Championships in Greensboro, NC, she scored 40 points for the Cardinals. achieved a top-eight finish in the 200 IM, with a time of 1:56.51 in the prelims and 1:56.75 in the finals. Fernanda was on the the fifth place 800 free relay squad. She placed 20^th in the 200 free (1:45.88) and was 13^th in the 200 breast, going 2:10.52. She qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Washington, where she put up a time 1:56.20 in the 200 IM. She was 26^th in the 200 free (1:44.97) and 31^st in the 200 breast (2:10.56) and was a part of the 800 free relay team. During the dual meet season of 2024- 2025, Celidonio had several top-five finishes. Against Auburn, she won the 200 free (1:46.64), the 100 breast (1:01.59), and the 200 IM (1:58.69), and was part of the winning 200 medley relay team. Versus Indiana, she was fourth in the 200 breast (2:11.71) and fifth in the 200 free (1:45.88)
In the meet against Tennessee, she finished won the 200 IM (1:57.75), was fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:46.32) as well as the 200 breast (2:12.70). Against Missouri, she won the 200 free (1:45.94) and fifth in both the 100 free (49.63) and the 200 free relay. Against Kentucky, was second in both the 200 IM (1:57.69) and the 200 breast (2:11.07) while taking third in the 100 breast (1:00.25). In the double dual meet with Indiana and Wisconsin, she was eighth in the 200 free (1:47.07) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:14.65). In the meet with Cincinnati, she won both the 200 IM (1:57.83) and the 100 breast (1:01.69). At the Ohio State Invitational, she was third in the 200 IM (1:57.77), eighth in the 200 free (1:46.64) and part of the 800 free relay that touched third.

2023-24: At the NCAA Championships in Athens, Fernanda earned two Second Team All-American honors. She helped the 800 free relay team touch 13^th with a time of 6:57.65. She made the finals of the 200 IM, placing 14^th with a time of 1:55.11. She finished 31^st in the 200 free (1:45.08) and 29^th in the 200 breaststroke (2:09.59). At the ACC Championships, she won silver as a part of the 800 free relay (7:00.31). She placed fifth in the 200 IM (1:56.46). She finished 18^th in the 200 free (1:45.98) and 19^th in the 200 breast (2:!3.87). During the dual meet season, she placed fourth in the 100 breast against Xavier (1:04.93) and won four events against Auburn, touching first in the 200 free (1:46.64), the 100 breast (1:01.59), the 200 IM (1:58.69) and was on the winning 200 medley relay team. In the Tennessee meet, she finished third in the 200M IM (2:18.74) and fifth in the 200M freestyle (2:03.59). Against Missouri, she won the 200 free (1:46.13) and was third in the 200 breast (2:14.66). Against rival Kentucky, she won the 200 IM (1:58.94) and was second in the 200 free (1:45.87) and fourth in the 200 breaststroke (2:13.55). In the double dual meet with Indiana and Wisconsin, she was eighth in the 200 free (1:47.07) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:14.65). In the meet with Cincinnati, she won the 100 breast (1:01.96) and was second in the 100 free (49.65).

2022-23: Fernanda had a breakout year and was named the team’s most improved swimmer. competed at the 2023 NCAA Championships where she swam the third leg (1:46.00) of the 800 free relay that finished in 7:00.81 and 11^th place. At the ACC Championships, she helped the Cardinals to a silver medal in the 800 free relay with a 6:57.51 and her split of 1:44.91. That relay time ranks fifth all-time in school history. She swam in the B-finals of the 200 IM with a 1:57.64 and the 200 free with a 1:46.80 for 14^th place in both. She made the C-finals of the 200 breaststroke with a 2:15.19. Her time in the 200 free (1:46.10) ranks her tenth in school history. Her time in the 200 IM (1:57.64) ranks her tenth in school history. In the dual meet season, she had strong performances especially as a relay swimmer. At the Purdue Invitational, she was third in the 200 free relay, the 200 IM, the 200 free and helped the Cards to a second place finish in the 800 free relay. Against Missouri, she was third in the 200 free with a 1:48.09 and was second in the 400 free relay, anchoring in 50.51 for the 3:19.68 final. She qualified for the World University Games for Brazil.

2021-22: Fernanda Celidonio added depth at various roster positions for the Cardinals. At the Purdue Invitational, she posted a time of 55.45 in the 100 backstroke and a 2:04.37 in the 200 IM. At Kentucky, she boarded a 49.80 in the 100 free in a time trial. At Indiana, she swam a 23.49 in the 50 free in trials. At the Louisville Invitational, she put up a time of 50.03 in the 100 free and 1:48.00 in the 200 freestyle. After working hard in the classroom, she was named to the ACC Academic Honor and the University of Louisville AD Honor Roll.

Prep: Fernanda Celidonio came to Louisville from Brasilia, Brazil where she is primarily a backstroker, Celidonio competes with Minas Tenis Clube and most recently recorded a best time in the 200m IM at Troféu Chico Piscina. She had a strong showing at the 2019 Brasileiro Junior Winter meet before going on to final in five events at Supercopa de Natação – Campeonato Mineiro. She also qualified for the Junior Pan American Games in 2021 and the South American Games in 2017, 2019 and 2021. She is a 29-time age group national champion. She was a semi-finalist at the World Junior Championships in 2019 and is a two-time Brazilian National Champion.

Personal: She is the daughter of Helio and Mirian Celidonia. Born May 9, 2003. Major is exercise science.