The Brenau University swim team was named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team for the spring 2024 semester.
More than 400 institutions and more than 17,000 student-athletes were named to the team, based on their outstanding academic performance during the specified semester.
“All-American Scholar Team status is a testament to the remarkable dedication and excellence of our women’s swim team, showcasing that their hard work in the pool is matched by their commitment to academic success,” Coach Mandi Bell said.
To qualify for this prestigious recognition, teams had to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 during the Spring 2024 semester. Of the selected teams, 563 achieved a GPA of 3.30 or above. This spring, Brenau’s nine swimmers maintained a 3.82 GPA, ranking fourth out of all National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics women’s teams.
“Coach Mandi Bell and the entire team have demonstrated a commitment to success both academically and athletically, setting a standard of excellence that we can all be proud of,” Samantha Barany, executive director of the CSCAA, said. “The commitment to academic excellence shown by these teams is truly admirable. It’s inspiring to see student-athletes excelling both in the pool and in their studies. The CSCAA takes great pride in acknowledging and celebrating the dedication and perseverance of these teams.”
Four members of the Brenau swim team were also named to the Scholar All-America First Team: Emma Verkuyl, Olga Bukowska, and Tessa Ip Hen Cheung. Sofia Bellocchio was named to the Second Team. More than 2,000 swimmers and divers were recognized on the Scholar All-American Team for the 2023-24 season.
To qualify for First-Team Scholar All-America, student-athletes must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher and participated in their national championship. Second-Team selections must have also earned a 3.5 GPA or higher and met a “B” time standard for the national championship or qualified for a diving zone qualification meet.
In the fall, Brenau’s swim team was also named to the Scholar All-America Team. The team’s 3.85 GPA put it at the top of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools on the list.
