By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's and women's swimming teams have been recognized for their efforts in the classroom by receiving Scholar All-America status from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for the 2015-16 season. A total of 658 teams at 388 colleges and universities in the NCAA and the NAIA received the award.

A 3.0 team grade point average during the 2016 spring semester was required to be a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team. The Willamette women's team achieved a 3.18 GPA during the spring, while the Bearcat men's team recorded a 3.06 GPA.

In NCAA Division III, 162 women's teams and 99 men's teams were included on the list. Five women's teams and five men's teams from the Northwest Conference were honored.

"I am proud of the upperclassmen who worked so hard to mentor our younger swimmers this past year through study sessions and advice on courses," Shevlin said. "We are also extremely lucky to have Assistant Coach Brent Summers on our staff. He held meetings with a number of our swimmers on a weekly basis to give proactive academic support as needed."

It is the second year in a row that both of Willamette's teams have received Scholar All-America honors during the fall semester and the spring semester.

Willamette closed out the season by setting seven school records at the 2016 NWC Swimming Championships. In addition, the Bearcats achieved one First Team All-NWC performance and 12 Second Team All-NWC marks.

The CSCAA was founded in 1922. It is the oldest organization of college coaches in the United States.