June 16, 2016
CSCAA Release | Follow @MoStateSwim
NORFOLK, Va. - The Missouri State men's and women's swimming and diving teams have both been recognized as 2016 Spring Scholar All-America Teams by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, the organization announced this week.
The Missouri State men's team had the third-highest GPA among all Division I programs with its 3.54 GPA this spring. Harvard's 3.59 edged out Ivy-rival Yale by 0.02 as the top GPA at the DI level. MSU was the highest GPA nationally among programs with 21 or fewer swimmers.
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. Top teams were recognized for both large teams (more than 22 women or 21 men) and small teams. CSCAA has designated 658 swimming and diving teams, representing 388 colleges and universities across all divisions, as Scholar All-America teams.
"Having one of the top GPAs in the country has been a goal of ours for many years now," said MSU head coach Dave Collins. "We discuss this goal in our first meeting of the season, and it is reiterated many times. We pride ourselves on being a complete program that achieves academic success as well as success in the pool. I'm very proud of these men and the way they represent our program and our university.
"Of course this type of success does not happen without the support and guidance of the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center staff. Dan Raines and A'dja Jones are very valuable to our program and instrumental in the success of our student-athletes."
The Bears' spring semester effort was the highest on record by the MSU men and marked the seventh consecutive semester Missouri State has ranked among the top 10 Division I men's programs.
"Our team GPA is very important to the men on this team," said team captain Isaac Springer. "Over the last four years we have improved tremendously, and it has become a staple of the Missouri State swimming and diving program. We take pride in the fact that being successful in the classroom is just as important as being successful in the water. I am very proud to have been a student-athlete at Missouri State."
On the women's side, MSU registered a 3.40 GPA to earn a spot on the distinguished list. South Carolina topped all Division I women's teams with a 3.73 GPA, which was just 0.01 ahead of Bowling Green. The Missouri State women have recorded a 3.20 GPA or higher the last 12 semesters.
Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the oldest professional organization of college coaches in America. The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level.
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