Luther Swimming and Diving Teams Honored for Academic Excellence
Oct. 13, 2008
The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has presented both the Luther College men's and women's swimming and diving teams the Academic All-American Team Award. One hundred and fifteen Division III college swimming and diving teams - 70 women's teams and 45 men's - were honored for academic success for the 2008 spring semester.
To earn this honor, a team must have a combined grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, that includes the entire roster. Last year, the women's team had 21 members and the men's team had 27.
The women’s team was ranked sixth with a GPA of 3.503 and was one of six schools that posted a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The men's team ranked 33rd in the nation with a GPA of 3.110.
Individual academic All-American Awards were also presented to five members of the women's swimming team. To earn this prestigious award, an athlete must qualify for the NCAA championships, and have a GPA of 3.500 or better. A total of 85 Division III student-athletes – 43 women and 42 men – met the stringent academic and athletic requirements. Eight women and six men had perfect 4.00 grade point averages. Two of the eight women were from Luther College, senior Elissa Schmidt (Claremont, Minn./Owatonna) and freshman Rachel Bruns (Albany, Minn.).
Also earning academic All-American honors was junior Amy Schneider (East Dubuque, Ill./Wahlert) with a GPA of 3.925; senior Valarie Hoops (Freeport, Ill.) with a GPA of 3.908; and freshman Addison Choi (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) with a GPA of 3.750. All five of the Luther swimmers were ranked in the top-21 of this impressive list.
"I am extremely proud of the efforts our athletes have put forth not only in the pool, but more importantly, their efforts in the classroom," stated head coach Lance Huber. "We firmly believe that the hard work and efforts our athletes apply to both settings, will carry over into their professional lives."
