CSCAA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA RELEASE

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team was honored for its outstanding work in the classroom once again on Wednesday. The Lyons were among the 638 teams from around the nation and across all divisions to achieve College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American status following the 2016 fall semester.

Additionally, MHC was second among the eight NEWMAC institutions recognized, trailing only MIT which posted the top GPA of 3.72 among all Division III women's teams.

In total, 151 squads were honored among Division III women's teams. To qualify for Scholar All-America status, 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 3.56, which was good for 10th in the nation. In the spring of 2016, the Lyons posted a 3.67 – which earned them the seventh overall spot. During the fall of 2015, the Lyons boasted the top GPA amongst Division III women with a 3.79.

Mount Holyoke was one of eight NEWMAC schools to be honored for the fall, in addition to Babson, Coast Guard, MIT, Smith, Springfield, Wheaton and WPI.

Under the direction of longtime head coach Dave Allen, the Lyons are currently 2-6 in dual meet action. MHC also finished seventh at the Hamilton Invitational in December and were fourth at last weekend's Seven Sisters Championship.

Highlighting the Seven Sisters meet was first year diver Samantha Nemivant (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep), who finished fourth off both boards, including a school record on the 3-meter.

Mount Holyoke returns to the pool on Saturday when it travels to Simmons for a 12pm meet against the Sharks. The Lyons will host their final home meet of the season on February 4. That meet will also honor the squad's four graduating seniors.