SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team was honored for its outstanding work in the classroom once again this season. The Lyons were among a record total of 480 Division III Institutions to achieve College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American status following the 2019 spring semester.
Additionally, MHC was third among the 10 NEWMAC institutions recognized, behind MIT (3.70) and Smith (3.67). The Lyons posted an overall grade point average of 3.66 for the spring, followed by Springfield (3.63), WPI (3.56), Wheaton (3.48), Coast Guard (3.44), Wellesley (3.42), Babson (3.27) and Clark (3.19).
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. The Lyons mark of 3.66 ranked them tied for 13th nationally amongst all Division III teams.
In the fall of 2018, the Lyons posted a team grade point average of 3.58, which was good for 19th in the nation. The spring of 2018 saw MHC finish with a 3.66, good for 12th nationally. That was on the heels of earning fall 2017 honors after sporting a 3.52 GPA. The spring of 2017 saw the Lyons own an average of 3.73, which was good for second in the nation. During the fall of 2016, the Lyons owned a 3.56 GPA – good for top-10 in the division. The academic success has been plentiful for Mount Holyoke, which 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.
This year's top program on the women's side was Macalester, which boasted a GPA of 3.79. St. Kate's posted a 3.76, followed by Pomona-Pitzer (3.75), Knox (3.73) and Elms (3.72) to round out the top five in the nation.
Under the direction of longtime head coach Dave Allen, the Lyons faced strong competition over the 2018-19 season. Highlighting the year has been dual meet wins over University of New England, Westfield State and Clark University, while also placing fourth overall at the Seven Sisters Championships in mid-January. The squad then took eighth overall at the 2019 NEWMAC Championships, while the Lyons sent two divers to the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships.
Highlighting the Seven Sisters meet was junior diver Samantha Nemivant (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep), who won off both boards, including NCAA Regional Qualifying marks in both events.
