SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team was honored once again for its outstanding work in the classroom once again on Monday. The Lyons were among the 710 teams from around the nation and across all divisions to achieve College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American status following the 2018 spring semester. In addition, Lyons sophomore diver Samantha Nemivant (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep) garnered individual Scholar All-American honors for her outstanding season that saw her compete at her first NCAA Championship.
Overall, the Lyons posted a team grade point average of 3.66 for the spring. Additionally, MHC was second among the ten NEWMAC institutions recognized, behind only MIT (3.72). Smith (3.65), Springfield (3.53), WPI (3.51), Clark (3.43), Babson (3.38), Coast Guard (3.36), Wheaton (3.35) and Wellesley (3.25) were also honored.
In total, 174 squads were recognized 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 once again reached the mark easily with their 3.66, which was tied for 12th among the DIII teams honored.
In the fall of 2017, MHC posted a team grade point average of 3.52. Following the spring of 2017, the Lyons owned a GPA of 3.73 – good for second overall in the nation. In the fall of 2017, MHC posted a 3.56 GPA, which was among the top-10 in the division. The academic success has continued to be plentiful for the Lyons, who also had a 3.67 GPA in the spring of 2016, preceded by the top GPA amongst all Division III schools of a 3.79 in the fall of 2015.
Under the direction of longtime head coach Dave Allen, the Lyons faced strong competition during the 2017-18 season. Highlighting the year was a sixth-place finish at the Hamilton Invitational in December. MHC also placed fourth overall at the Seven Sisters Championships in mid-January and were eighth at the NEWMAC Championships.
The season was highlighted by Nemivant, who became the first diver since 2006 to represent the Lyons at Nationals. Competition at the 2018 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships was strong as the top-29 divers in division competed for a national title. Overall, Nemivant placed 18th off the 1-meter and was 20th from the 3-meter in her first NCAA appearance.
Mount Holyoke also saw 10 student-athletes named to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team to close out the year.
