BOSTON, Mass. - The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its Academic All-Conference selections in swimming & diving and nine Mount Holyoke College student-athletes were recognized. Additionally, the Lyons squad was tabbed by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as an NCAA Division III Scholar All-America team for the Fall of 2014.
Named to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference team were sophomores Annys Bai (Flushing N.Y./Bronx HS of Science), Sarah Bertekap (Oceanport, N.J./Communication), Emily Craig (Rochester, N.Y./Gates-Chili Senior), Anne Kuenning (Bow, N.H./Bow), Kelly McElreath (Oakland, Mich./Notre Dame Prep), and Katie Tyler (Hadley, Mass./Hopkins Academy).
Other honorees included juniors Sarah Crocker (Sacramento, Calif./C.K. McClatchy), Sarah McKay (Newton, Mass./Newton North) and Cathleen Pruden (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft School).
In earning CSCAA honors, the Lyons as a squad boasted the 15th best cumulative grade point average among Division III women's teams for the Fall of 2014. Mount Holyoke combined for a 3.49 GPA, which was the highest among any NEWMAC team. Overall, 108 women's squads were recognized.
To be considered for NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honors, a student-athlete must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 after the 2014 fall semester, achieved second year academic status at her institution and been a member of the varsity team for the entire season.
For CSCAA Scholar All-America, teams must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the semester.
Led by head coach Dave Allen, the Lyons had an outstanding 2014-15 campaign. In addition to going 6-4 in dual meet action, MHC finished second overall at the Seven Sisters Championship and were seventh at the NEWMAC Championships.
The squad's performance at the conference meet was highlighted by Pruden, who was named the NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year. One of only two swimmers to post three individual victories at the meet, she won the 200-IM, the 400-IM and the 1650-freestyle, while posting NCAA B Cuts and school records in each event. Pruden also eclipsed her own NEWMAC Meet and Open record in the 400-IM.
Pruden, who currently boasts the second-best time in Division III in the 400-IM, is expected to represent the Lyons for the second straight season at the NCAA Championships in March. The meet takes place from March 18-21 at the CISD Natatorium in Shenandoah, Texas.
