997 Named Scholar All-American
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected a record 997 swimmers and divers for its Scholar All-America team. The selections recognize students that have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have participated in their respective NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
This year’s award winners come on the heels of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selecting forty-six swimmers and divers to its 2017 Academic All-America® At-Large teams. Of those, four – Meg Stanley of Illinois Wesleyan, Andrew Wilson of Emory, Anton McKee of Alabama and Texas A&M’s Sarah Gibson – were named CoSIDA’s At-Large Academic All-American of the Year.
The selections were drawn from 273 colleges and universities across all Divisions including two – Wright State and Buffalo – that have announced plans to eliminate swimming and diving. “Between the athletic and academic components required to receive the award, these really are some of the best of the best,” CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield explained. “It really shows that excellence in the classroom and the pool can be achieved at any program – not just pockets here or there.”
Stanford University led the way with twenty-four first-team selections. Stanford led all Division I men’s teams with twelve selections while Louisville’s fourteen selections led Division I women. Lindenwood University’s women and the University of Indianapolis’ men led Division II programs with twelve and nine selections respectively. Among Division III teams, MIT’s men (13) and Connecticut College’s women (10) topped the selections. SCAD-Savannah and Indian River State College led both men’s and women’s selections among NAIA and NJCAA institutions.
In addition to the 997 first-team selections, 954 students were named as Honorable Mentioned selections. These students have similarly achieved a GPA of 3.50 and achieved a "B" time standard or competed at a regional or zone qualifying meet.