WSU Women's Swim Team Recognized For Academic Excellence - Washington State University Athletics

April 10, 2000

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington State women's swimming team finished third nationally in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) fall academic poll with a 3.39 combined grade-point average.

The Cougars repeat their appearance among the nation's top 10 Division I swimming programs for the third straight year. Last season, WSU placed second overall earning "superior" recognition by the CSCAA. In 1997-98, WSU finished 10th with an "excellent" distinction.

"I am excited to remain in the top 10 against other school's of higher education," WSU coach Rocco Aceto said. "We set the goal of perennially being in the top 10, but the national title continues to elude us by a very small margin."

Manhattan College took first with a 3.41 GPA, while the University of Buffalo followed with a 3.397 GPA. Pac-10 rival California finished 28th with a 3.16 GPA.

"WSU swimming continues to hold the top team GPA in the Pac-10 which is another great accomplishment - against great schools," Aceto said. "I feel we develop the true student-athlete with WSU swimmers."

Along with the academic honors awarded by the CSCAA, the Cougars had four seniors honored on the Pac-10 Conference All-Academic Team. Kelley Miedema (Cape Town, South Africa) and Eli Schmied (Woodinville) captured first team honors, while Gretchen Chambers (Adelaide, Australia) finished second team and Suzie Muirhead (Mukilteo) honorable mention.

"It's an honor," Schmied said. "It takes a huge amount of work to swim fast and get good grades. I'm glad all of our hard work has paid off."

NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S SWIMMING

(1) Manhattan College	3.41
(2) University of Buffalo	3.397
(3) Washington State University	3.39
(4) Xavier University	3.38
(5) University of Denver	3.369
(6) Georgetown University	3.361
(7) Saint Louis University	3.35
(8) Western Kentucky University	3.317
(9) Purdue University	3.31
(10) Duquesne University	3.31