SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team was recently honored for its outstanding work in the classroom by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). The Lyons concluded the Fall 2015 semester with the top grade point average among all teams recognized in Division III – women or men – boasting a mark of 3.71. In total, 547 teams were recognized across Division's I, II, III and NAIA. From Division III, 130 women's teams and 89 men's squads were honored.
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's mark of 3.71 was among the top in program history, besting the overall GPA of some of the best teams in the nation. Among those that the Lyons finished higher included Division I's Boise State women (3.64), Harvard men (3.47), Division II Maryville women (3.63) and the Limestone men (3.47).
Against its Division III rivals, the Lyons bested the MIT men (3.69), the Beloit College women (3.69) and the Colorado College men (3.64). Last spring, the Lyons were 10th in the nation with a GPA of 3.62.
Mount Holyoke was also one of six NEWMAC schools to be honored for the fall, in addition to Clark University (women & men), MIT (women & men), Springfield (women & men), Wheaton (women & men) and Wellesley.
Under the direction of longtime head coach Dave Allen, the Lyons are currently 6-2 in dual meet action. MHC also finished third this season at both the Hamilton Invitational in December and last week's Seven Sisters Championship. Highlighting the Seven Sisters meet was senior captain Cathleen Pruden (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft School) – a multiple CSCAA Scholar All-American – who was the only swimmer to win four individual events.
Mount Holyoke returns to the pool for its final home meet of the season on Saturday, welcoming the Sharks of Simmons College. The meet is set to begin at 12pm. The Lyons will also honor their seven graduating seniors prior to the start of competition.
