By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's swimming and men'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 2022 spring semester. It was the 16th consecutive semester that both of Willamette's teams have received the award.

Overall, 731 teams from 441 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 spring.

"Being honored as Scholar All-America teams for the 16th consecutive semester is an incredible feat and something I hope they are proud of," Willamette Head Swimming Coach Brent Summers said. "It's an honor fitting for their success in the classroom. I'm very proud of our team's commitment to academics, and they continue to impress me each semester by their dedication to balancing their studies, swimming, and personal lives."

Willamette is a member of the Northwest Conference and the Bearcats compete in NCAA Division III. During the 2022 spring semester, a total of 164 women's teams and 132 men's teams in NCAA Division III earned Scholar All-America honors. Six NWC women's teams and six 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 3.53 combined GPA during the spring, while the Willamette men's team finished the semester with a 3.35 combined GPA.