Willamette Swimming Teams Receive CSCAA Scholar All-America Recognition

June 25, 2019

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's and women's swimming teams have qualified for Scholar All-America recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a result of their accomplishments in the classroom during the 2019 spring semester. It was the 10th semester in a row that both of Willamette's teams qualified for the award.

Nationwide, a record 480 colleges and universities in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, the NAIA and the NJCAA qualified for Scholar All-America honors.

Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III. The Bearcats also compete in the Northwest Conference. In Division III, a total of 185 women's teams and 134 men's teams earned Scholar All-America status this spring.

"I'm very proud of our men's and women's team accomplishment of being named Scholar All-America teams again," Willamette Head Coach Brent Summers said. "Their hard work in the classroom does not go unnoticed by our staff, department, and university, and it's great to see them being recognized by the CSCAA.

"Academic success is something that we hold very highly in our program," Summers added. "It is reflected in our mission statement, our goals, and our actions. Our student-athletes are here because they can be students and athletes without having to compromise one or the other. It is very important to me that all of our student-athletes feel they are succeeding in the classroom during their time here at Willamette. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our program culture that promotes academic and athletic success for all our student-athletes."

The Scholar All-America honor went to programs that earned team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher during the spring semester with at least 12 swimmers on each team. The Willamette men's team produced a 3.47 combined GPA during the spring, while the women's team ended the semester with a 3.45 combined GPA.

Willamette was one of seven women's teams in the Northwest Conference to receive Scholar All-America status. The Bearcat men's team was one of six teams in the NWC to earn Scholar All-America honors.