WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior
Sam Bundy of
Charlotte, North Carolina, and senior
Anastasia Bekou of
Limassol, Cyprus, both of the swimming and diving teams, have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending February 16. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake N Joes Bar and Grill.
Bundy was the top men’s performer at the 2025 University Athletic Association swimming and diving championships. His 18
th-place finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:32.94 was the Judges’ highest finish of the meet, with his time the fourth-fastest in program history. Bundy also placed 22
nd in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:15.25.
Bekou scored in two individual events for the Judges on the women’s side. She placed 20
th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.36 seconds, ranking her third in school history. Bekou also placed 24
th in the 200 back with a time of 2:09.32, that ranked her fourth on Brandeis’s all-time list.
Both the Brandeis men’s and women’s teams finished eighth at the 2025 UAA Championships with 322 points. That meet concluded the season for both squads.
This is the ninth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights a top Brandeis student-athlete who has had an outstanding athletic achievement from the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake N Joes
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, The Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Bundy is a 2022 graduate of Ardrey Kell High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s swimming and diving, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mswim.
Bekou is a 2021 graduate of Laniteio Lyceum. For more information on Brandeis women’s swimming and diving, please visit our homepage at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/wswim.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at
www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
