10/22/2008
Swim and Dive Teams Named to CSCAA Academic All-American Teams

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/22/08 - The Clark University men's and women's swim and dive teams have already started its 2008-09 campaign on a positive note. Both teams have been named to the NCAA Division III College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American teams for the spring 2008 semester.

The women's team grade point average has steadily been on the rise, jumping from 52nd in 2007 to an impressive 18th last spring. They finished with the highest GPA (3.45) in coach Paul E. Phillips six-year tenure.

The Cougar women were one of two New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) teams honored in the top-15. Mount Holyoke College, an all-women's school in Massachusetts, topped the women's rankings with a team GPA of 3.590. Other NEWMAC schools recognized were Wheaton College (37th/3.35), WPI (49th/3.23) and Wellesley College (52nd/3.22).

The Clark men ranked 18th nationally, seven slots higher than the previous year, with a 3.24 academic standing. Shyamal Asher '08, a member of last year's squad, certainly aided the recognition with his remarkable 4.11 cumulative gpa, earning him Clark's first-ever Senior Scholar Athlete Award this past spring.

Leading other NEWMAC teams on the all-academic list, the men's squad bested WPI, which placed 29th (3.15).

Colorado College topped the men's ranking with a 3.508 GPA.

A combined 115 women's and men's Division III college swimming and diving programs were named as Academic All-American teams.