The 2012-13 Hope College women’s swimming & diving team has claimed the Collegiate Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Team Scholar All-American award, while three members of the Flying Dutch earned CSCAA Individual Scholar All-America honors.
The Flying Dutch, coached by John Patnott, recorded a team grade point average of 3.56 that ranked 10th in the nation among NCAA Division III teams.
The Team Scholar All American award is presented to college and university swimming and diving teams, who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The award is presented twice annually, once in the fall semester/term and in the semester/term of the NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships (Winter/Spring).
Senior Libby Westrate of Grandville (Grandville HS), freshman Hannah Larson of Jackson (Jackson HS) and freshman Klare Northuis of Holland (Holland HS) were individually recognized.
The Scholar All American award is presented to college and university swimmers and divers, who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, for the semester or cumulative average, and have qualified for and competed at their respective national championship. The award is presented in the semester of the NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships (Winter/Spring).
“I am very impressed with our athletes' academic achievement, but then that is why they are at Hope,” Patnott said. “They train 3 1/2 hours a day. They usually have an on campus job as well, yet they consistently maintain high academic performance. Our approach is academics first, then athletics. The high academic and athletic achievement shows their commitment to their education and athletics. I admire their commitment to both and I am impressed with their accomplishments.”
Earlier, Westrate was named to the Division III Capital One Academic district team in the at-large category and the women’s team received the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Team GPA award.