A record 777 teams, representing 480 institutions have been named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA)’s Scholar All-America team for the Spring 2019 Semester. The CSCAA recognizes those teams achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the semester.
A record number of teams achieved Scholar All-America status in each NCAA Division with men’s teams seeing the biggest gains. The increase can be attributed to the growing number of men’s teams. “For three years now, we’ve seen schools add more men’s teams than women’s,” explained CSCAA Executive Director Greg Earhart, “and now we’re seeing those new teams produce the caliber of student-athlete we’ve come to expect in swimming and diving.”
Fourteen teams, highlighted by men’s programs at Division I Howard University and Saint Francis College earned Scholar All-America status for the first time. Other first-time award-winners included men’s teams at Barton College, Bridgewater, Carroll University, King’s University, Penn State-Altoona, Saint Norbert College and UW-Eau Claire. First-time women’s award winners included CSU-Pueblo, the Maine Maritime Academy, the Masters’ University, Merrimack University and Thomas University.
At 3.45, the median GPA among women’s teams was the highest on record. The men’s median (3.23) was down slightly from the Fall semester.
Division I
For the first time in program history, over one hundred men’s teams earned Scholar All-America honors. Of the 106 programs earning the honor, Michigan State led the way with a 3.72 GPA. Spartan Head Coach Matt Gianiodis felt the honor was well-earned. “The kids have really put together an amazing expectation and culture related to their academics. Much of the credit has to go to Jeremy Flynn. He’s been with us for seventeen years and doesn’t get enough credit. He’s the best academic advisor in the country.” Five conferences – the A-10, Ivy League, Colonial Athletic Association, Mid-American and Big XII – placed every men’s team onto the honor roll, while the ACC, placed the most teams on the list with ten.
Indiana State’s women earned the highest GPA among all Division I programs. “I’m really proud of the work they’ve put in. It’s definitely a full-team achievement,” said head coach Josh Christensen. According to Christensen, the Sycamores’ GPA of 3.75 matched a goal they had set in the winter. “I thought it might be a stretch, but they put in the work and did it. We have a really great athletic department that is supportive of success in and out of the water.” Like the men, the ACC placed the most teams on the honor roll while the Ivy League, Northeast Conference, Coastal Collegiate Athletic Association and Conference USA each placed every women’s team on the list. In total, 184 teams achieved a 3.0 or higher One hundred and eighty-four teams made the mark – eight more than were recognized last Spring.
Division II
For the third time in its history Emmanuel College led Division II with a 3.80 for the Semester making head coach Allen Gilchest proud. “Our women continue to represent Emmanuel in the pool and the classroom in a positive and professional way with hard work and dedication to their teammates and college. I am proud and amazed by them.” The Bluegrass Mountain Conference placed nine teams on the honor roll, one more than the Great Lakes Valley Conference. In total, eighty-three teams met the mark, four more than last Fall’s record of seventy-nine. Among teams with fewer than twelve participants, Salem University posted top marks with a 3.81 GPA.
The University of Bridgeport, led the men’s Division II rankings for the second-consecutive semester. Regrettably, the Purple Knights won’t be able to go for a third as the University eliminated swimming following this year’s NCAA Championships. “With the program being dropped this past season,” explained head coach Doc Ludemann, “I am extremely excited for our athletes. This is certainly a special honor”. In total, fifty-three mens teams were selected and like the women, the Bluegrass Mountain Conference led the way with nine selections, one more than the GLVC.
Division III
In Division III pair of academic stalwarts topped the list of 134 men’s and 185 women’s teams. Macalester’s women (3.79) edged out MIAC rival Saint Catherine’s (3.76). Macalester head coach Kyllian Griffin enthused, “We pride ourselves for challenging our students to be the absolute best they can be in the classroom, the pool and in the community and are proud of their successes in all aspects of their collegiate life.” Among men’s teams, MIT once again led the way (3.76), just ahead of the Macalester men. The Liberty League, placed the most teams (nine men, none women) onto the honor roll. University Athletic Association and NESCAC followed with sixteen teams each with the UAA achieving 100% recognition.
NAIA and NJCAA
Eighteen teams (eleven men’s, seventeen women’s) were recognized in the NAIA. Among programs with twelve or more athletes, Morningside College’s led the way with a 3.61. “Our pursuit of academic excellence is just as important as our quest for success in the pool” added Head Coach Brian Farris.” It is just as rewarding to me to see them achieve this accomplishment for what they do in class as what they do for me in the pool.” Union College of Kentucky led the men’s list with a 3.36. Lindsey Wilson’s men (3.48) and the women of Saint Mary’s University and Soka University (3.71 each) earned the highest GPAs among smaller teams. Iowa Lakes Community College led all women’s NJCAA teams with a 3.46 while Barton County Community College led men’s NJCAA programs with a 3.21.
The CSCAA will announce its individual Scholar All-Americans next week.
About the CSCAA
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) – the first 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.
For more information on the Scholar All-America and see a list of award recipients from all divisions, click here.
