NORFOLK, Va. (June 21, 2016) -The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected a record 853 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.
The University of Mary Washington was represented on the teams by senior Zach Eisig on the men's team, and Hannah Hagy, Megan Murphy, Anna Corley, and Abby Cox.
Highlighting the selections were 226 students who have qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming. The qualifier for the Olympic Games will take place June 26-July 3 before a sold-out CenturyLink Center in Omaha. Diving Trials begin Monday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis and continue through June 26th.
In addition to the 853 first-team selections, 928 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. Of these, an additional 139 students will be in Indianapolis or Omaha vying for a spot on the United States Olympic team
"The 200,000+ spectators attending trials are seeing more than just the best swimmers and divers in the world," said CSCAA executive director Joel Shinofield, "they're seeing some of the brightest minds in the nation." Even those who don't make the Olympic team, Shinofield notes, are likely headed for success. CSCAA research indicates that nearly a quarter of all college swimming and diving alumni report earning more than $110,000 annually. "These are your future doctors, local business owners, scientists and educators."
To be selected to the CSCAA Scholar All-America Team, swimmers and divers must have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have participated in their respective NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Honorable Mention selections have similarly achieved a GPA of 3.50 and achieved a "B" time standard or competed at their respective qualifying meets.
The selections were drawn from 247 colleges and universities. That, Shinofield explains, illustrates the widespread contributions of swimming and diving. "This really shows that success isn't limited to the 'traditional' powers. We've got coaches, athletes and institutions doing some great things in places you wouldn't expect and is something we're very proud of."
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) – the oldest organization of college coaches in America -is a professional organization of college swimming and diving coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming & diving at the collegiate level.