July 19, 2017
NORFOLK, Va. - The Penn State men's and women's swimming and diving teams earned recognition as College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America teams for 2017. Additionally, Casey Francis and Katelyn Sowinski were both named CSCAA Scholar All-Americans and nine more individuals earned honorable mention honors, capping a successful season in both the pool and classroom.
The Nittany Lion women combined for a 3.40 team grade point average, while the men earned a 3.02 team GPA. 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.
CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield cited Penn State's success, noting: "Coach Tim Murphy continues to produce champions - in and out of the pool at Penn State. We are very fortunate to have schools like Penn State and people like Provost Nick Jones and Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour who support these exceptional student-athletes."
In total, 720 teams, representing 443 institutions achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the spring 2017 Semester. Part of the reason for the increase in award-winning teams is the overall growth of the sport. The number of men's and women's institutions sponsoring swimming and diving is at a 10-year high.
Francis and Sowinski were named Scholar All-Americans as they were a part of a record 999 swimmers and divers that achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and participated in their respective NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
In addition to the first-team selections, Elaina Faerber, Katie Saloky, Sienna Salvaggio, Megan Wujciak and Tommie Dillione from the Penn State women's team and Nathaniel Bledsoe, Andy Schuehler, Matt Stasiunas and Tomer Zamir on the men's side were among 963 students were named as honorable mentions. They similarly achieved a GPA of 3.50 or higher and achieved a "B" time standard or competed at a regional or zone qualifying meet.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State swimming and diving teams during the 2015-16 season. Follow the team on Twitter at @PennStateSWIM and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/pennstateswimminganddiving.