The same traits that aid Hope College diver Sarah Sheridan in pool help her excel in the classroom as well.
Sheridan, who recently concluded her junior year at Hope, has been named today to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America® Division III At-Large Teams. She earned third-team recognition as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
The four-time All-American diver from Richmond, Indiana (Richmond HS), is a physics education major. She carries a 3.66 grade point average while also minoring in mathematics education.
Hope coach John Patnott said Sheridan’s skills complement her pursuits in the classroom and on the diving board.
“Academics and diving both take great organization and a great deal of thought and focus,” Patnott said. “She’s got a tough major, too. She’s just a disciplined young lady. She takes care of things when they have to be taken care of. It’s a matter of discipline and focus for her.”
In March, Sheridan finished national runner-up in 3-meter diving and took third in 1-meter diving at the 2015 NCAA Division III Championships. It was the best finish in both events for any Hope diver, male or female.
As a sophomore, Sheridan was All-American in 1- and 3-meter diving at the 2014 NCAA Division III Championships by finishing seventh in both events. She was Hope’s first All-American in 3-meter diving.
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his or her current institution and be nominated by his or her sports information director.
Sheridan is one of five Hope student-athletes to claim CoSIDA Academic All-America honors during the 2014-15 school year. She joins tennis player Carli Capestany, football player Kirby Crook, volleyball player Jenna Grasmeyer and softball player Julie Sobieski.
Hope student-athletes now have been selected CoSIDA Academic All-Americans 55 times.
Sheridan is one of 45 Division III student-athletes across the country to be honored in the at-large category and one of 15 third-team recipients.
The Capital One Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2014-15 Division III Academic All-America® teams program.