Swimming and Diving Academic Excellence
May 26, 2015 03:50 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University swimming and diving program has always been known for its excellence in not only the pool, but also the classroom. Since joining the Big 12 Conference in the summer of 2012, the program has reached new heights, making its mark as an academic prowess.
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| Palley | Zee |
The Mountaineers totaled nine 4.0 student-athletes this spring, a number that surpassed the program’s last two and a half years combined. Seven women’s swimming and diving athletes posted 4.0 GPAs this semester: Amelie Currat (General Business), Katie Murto (Human Nutrition and Foods), Julie Ogden (Psychology), Jen Rey (Exercise Physiology), Emma Skelley (Multidisciplinary Studies), Haily VandePoel (Exercise Physiology) and Jenelle Zee (Graduate Degree in Political Science). Nathan Howells (Biochemsitry) and David Palley (Civil Engineering) both completed a perfect 4.0 this semester.
“Our purpose here at WVU swimming and diving is to provide a means for student-athletes to excel at both their academics and athletics,” said coach Vic Riggs. “WVU offers a tremendous academic support system for our student-athletes and the results speak for themselves. Our (Assistant Director, Student-Athlete Development) Jennifer Mandeville does a great job providing the S/A with all the resources necessary to succeed.”
Last month, it was announced by the Big 12 Conference that Palley and VandePoel were named the Big 12 Conference Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The two student-athletes joined Liam McLaughlin in 2013 as Mountaineers to garner the achievement. The three total honorees for the award is the most by any Big 12 institution since WVU joined the league.
At least one WVU swimming and diving student-athlete has posted a 4.0 GPA year since 2012. In fact, the WVU men’s and women’s programs combined have totaled 17 4.0 student-athletes since the joining the league, more than all other Big 12 institutions combined. The Mountaineers had the league high with 14 4.0 student-athletes this season in addition to this spring Frank Csonka, Howells, Palley, VandePoel and Zee also achieved a 4.0.
This past season may have been the program’s most successful in terms of academic achievements. Palley, a 4.0 civil engineering major, was a 2015 WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior honoree and a Dr. Gerald Lage Award recipient, in addition to being named the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. VandePoel mirrored Palley’s accomplishments, also earning the Outstanding Senior distinction and Dr. Gerald Lage Award, in addition to earning the conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year award while majoring in exercise physiology.
Palley joined WVU’s Zee this spring as representatives on the 2015 Capital One Academic All-District At-Large teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Academic All-America honorees will be announced in early June.
Last summer, nine Mountaineer student-athletes were named Scholar All-Americans by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), while both the men’s and women’s programs were recognized as CSCAA Scholar All-American teams. The women’s team GPA of 3.46 was the highest in the Big 12 Conference a year ago.
With 71 student-athletes earning Academic All-Big 12 recognition since joining the prestigious Big 12 in 2012, it has been clear that the WVU swimming & diving program has risen its level of performance in the pool and in the classroom.
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