By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's and women's swimming teams have received Scholar All-America honors from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for their successful efforts in the classroom during the 2021 fall semester. It was the 15th semester in a row that both of Willamette's teams have received the award.

Overall, 728 teams from 425 colleges and universities in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, the NAIA, and the NJCAA qualified for Scholar All-America status this past fall.

Willamette is a member of the Northwest Conference and the Bearcats compete in NCAA Division III. During the 2021 fall semester, a total of 176 women's teams and 123 men's teams in NCAA Division III earned Scholar All-America honors. Five NWC women's teams and four NWC men's teams qualified for Scholar All-America recognition.

The Scholar All-America award went to programs that earned team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher during the semester. The Bearcat women's team achieved a 3.52 combined GPA during the fall, while the Willamette men's team finished the semester with a 3.13 combined GPA.