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 a record 720 teams, representing 443 institutions from around the nation and across all divisions to achieve College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American status following the 2017 spring semester.
Additionally, MHC was first among the nine NEWMAC institutions recognized, and second overall among all Division III women's teams, trailing only Connecticut College, which posted the top GPA of 3.78. The Lyons jumped up the rankings after tying for 10th in the nation with a 3.56 GPA in the fall.
In total, 173 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 3.73, which was good for second in the nation. During the fall of 2016, MHC was 10th in the nation with a 3.56 GPA, while a 3.67 spring GPA in 2016 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 nine NEWMAC schools to be honored for the fall, in addition to Babson, Clark, Coast Guard, MIT, Smith, Springfield, Wheaton, and Wellesley. MIT posted a 3.64 grade point average, while both Smith and Springfield tied for third in the conference with 3.59 GPA's.
Led by 19th-year head coach David Allen, the Mount Holyoke swimming & diving team had a solid run in 2016-17. The Lyons, finished fourth at Seven Sisters and ninth at the NEWMAC Championships, while also recording regular season wins over the University of New England and Vassar College.
First year Samantha Nemivant (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep), represented MHC at the 2017 NCAA New England Diving Regionals. She finished 19th off the 1-meter board and was 26th place in the 3-meter event.
Academically, seven student-athletes garnered NEWMAC Academic All-Conference recognition, including Anne Kuenning '17, who was also tabbed to the conference's All-Sportsmanship Team.
