By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's and women's swimming teams have excelled in the classroom which had resulted in both teams earning Scholar All-America Team recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for the fall 2016 semester. Nationwide a record total of 638 teams from 394 colleges and universities in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, the NAIA and the NJCAA qualified for the Scholar All-America Team designation.

Willamette competes in NCAA Division III. The Bearcats also compete in the Northwest Conference.

"Coach Summers and I are extremely proud to see both the men's and women's teams on the CSCAA Scholar All-America list," Head Coach Leslie Shevlin said. "While Division III athletics is academically focused, this is really not an easy accomplishment to achieve. We have a group of young men and women who have been able to make the commitment to balance their swimming and their academics."

The Scholar All-America honor went to programs that earned team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher during the fall semester. It was the fifth consecutive semester that both of Willamette's teams qualified for the award.

"Our coaches understand that the essence of intercollegiate athletics is the experience each student-athlete receives, and an emphasis on academics reflects what coaches feel is most important," said CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield.

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