July 21, 2003

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

The University of Wyoming men's and women's swimming and diving team has been named an Academic All-America Swimming team for the winter/spring semester of 2003, as selected by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

The swimming and diving team achieved a team grade-point average of 3.026 during the 2003 spring semester. The CSCAA recognizes Academic All-America teams in three categories: 1. Commendable, 2.80 gpa of higher; 2. Excellent, 3.00 gpa or better; and 3. Superior, 3.25 gpa or higher. Wyoming received recognition in the excellent category.

The Cowboys are one of 250 teams in the nation to be honored by the CSCAA. To qualify for the honor, the CSCAA requires that the grade-point average of a school's entire swimming and diving squad average at least a 2.80 gpa on a 4.00 scale.

"We are very proud of out team's academic success," said UW head swimming coach Tom Johnson. "We strive to have the same success in the pool as we have in the classroom.

With all of the demands our student-athletes are under -- going to early morning practices five days a week as well as afternoon practices -- it makes this accomplishment even more rewarding. This is a great tribute to the work ethic of our young men and women due to the fact that they are pursuing very challenging degrees such as engineering, business, the sciences, as well as a number of other difficult and time consuming subjects on top of competing at the Division-I level."

This recognition marks the second time this season that the Wyoming swimming and diving program has been recognized for its academic achievements by the CSCAA. In April, the men's team was named Academic All-America for the fall of 2002. The men were recognized in the commendable category for their 2.91 gpa during the fall semester.