CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team earned 2015 Spring Scholar All-America Team recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, it was recently announced. To be selected as a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team, programs must have achieved a grade point average of 3.00 or higher over the Spring semester.
“I am extremely proud of the team for earning Scholar All-America recognition again for the Spring 2015 semester,” said head coach Sue Novitsky. “Once again, the team continues to put in effort in the classroom and show such great dedication with their academics. I would like to thank Mike Maziarz our academic counselor for all of his work and commitment to the team’s academic success. In addition I would like to thank the administration and all of the staff at the Irwin Academic Center for providing such tremendous resources for our student-athletes to be successful.
Illinois tied for the 35th-highest grade point average among NCAA Division I women’s swimming and diving teams in the Spring semester, posting a 3.47 GPA after accumulating a 3.44 GPA to earn 2014 Fall Scholar All-America Team honors earlier this year. The Illini were third among Big Ten teams, trailing only Purdue and Nebraska.
In addition to the team award, three individual Illini swimmers and divers earned CSCAA Scholar All-America honors. Alison Meng, Erika Murphy and Gabbie Stecker each were recognized with honorable mention distinctions.
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.
“It is fantastic for Alison Meng, Erika Murphy and Gabbie Stecker to earn Honorable Mention Scholar All-America honors for their hard work in the pool and with school,” stated Novitskty. “Those three student-athletes definitely show the discipline and drive to be successful in all areas.”
Swimming news courtesy of Illinois Swimming & Diving.
