By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's and women's swimming teams have qualified for Scholar All-America honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a result of their accomplishments in the classroom during the 2018 fall semester. Nationwide, a record total of 713 teams from 460 colleges and universities in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, the NAIA and the NJCAA qualified for Scholar All-America recognition.

Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III. The Bearcats also compete in the Northwest Conference.

The Scholar All-America honor went to programs that earned team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher during the fall semester with at least 12 swimmers on each team. It was the ninth semester in a row that both of Willamette's teams qualified for the award. The Bearcat women's team produced a 3.42 combined GPA during the fall semester. The Willamette men's team completed the semester with a 3.39 combined GPA.

"I'm incredibly proud of our men's team and women's team for being recognized by the CSCAA as Scholar All-America Teams for fall 2018 and for the ninth consecutive semester. The dedication our men and women show to their studies comes through everyday when I hear them discussing their classes and how passionate they are about their studies. I'm proud to be able to coach a group of amazing individuals who truly put the student in student-athlete."

Willamette was one of seven women's teams in the Northwest Conference to receive Scholar All-America status. The Bearcat men's team was one of six teams in the NWC to earn Scholar All-America honors.