SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team was recently honored for its outstanding work in the classroom. The Lyons were among the 151 Division III teams from around the nation to achieve College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American status following the 2015 spring semester. Additionally, MHC was second among the eight NEWMAC institutions honored, trailing only Springfield College.

In order to qualify, teams must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the semester. Mount Holyoke easily reached the mark, posting a team grade point average of 3.62, which was good for 10th in the nation. During the fall, the Lyons boasted the 15th-best GPA amongst the women with a 3.49. NEWMAC-rival Springfield had the second-best GPA in the nation for Division III schools this spring with a 3.70.

Additionally, the Lyons saw rising-senior Cathleen Pruden (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft School) garner individual Scholar All-America honors. An All-American by virtue of her eighth-place finish in the 400-Individual Medley at the NCAA Championships, Pruden garnered the recognition for the second straight season. She was among 810 swimmers and divers from all divisions named to the Scholar All-America Team.

The NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year in 2014-15, Pruden powered her way to 37 victories in the pool this season. In addition to achieving 10 school records, she also defended her NEWMAC title in the 400-IM, posting a conference meet and open record time. In addition to her 400-IM win, she was also this year's conference champion in the 200-IM and the 1650-freestyle. Among her other top performances was at the 2015 Seven Sisters Championships, where she claimed victory in five events (200-breast, 200-IM, 400-IM, 1650-Free, 200-free relay), setting two meet records and achieving two NCAA B Cuts as well.

Pruden was also recognized as a CSCAA All-America First Team selection and was also a CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America At-Large Second Team honoree and a First Team Academic All-District selection.

With longtime head coach Dave Allen leading the way, the Lyons had an outstanding 2014-15 campaign. In addition to going 7-4 in dual meet action, MHC finished second overall at the Seven Sisters Championship and were seventh at the NEWMAC Championships.

Academically, nine student-athletes were named to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team, including Annys Bai '17, Sarah Bertekap '17, Emily Craig '17, Anne Kuenning '17, Kelly McElreath '17, Katie Tyler '17, Sarah Crocker '16, Sarah McKay '16 and Pruden. The squad also garnered CSCAA Scholar All-America Fall 2014 honors and were named the NEWMAC Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2014-15 season.