Washington and Lee Swimming Teams Honored for Work in Classroom

The Collegiate Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) recently announced its Spring 2009 list of Scholar-Athlete Teams and the Washington and Lee men's and women's teams were among those honored. Additionally, the CSCAA announced its list of Scholar All-Americans and W&L had several individuals recognized.

The Generals’ men’s team, which ranked 14th in Division III with a team GPA of 3.38, was represented individually by recent graduate Paul Crook (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell), rising senior Brandon Barnds (Mission Hills, Kan./Shawnee) and rising sophomores Brian Stirling (Skillman, N.J./Montgomery) and Christopher Washnock (Greer, S.C./Greenville), who were all selected to the Scholar All-America First Team. Recent graduates Chris Diebold (Platte City, Mo./Lansdale Catholic), Brett Tatman (Marietta, Ga./George Walton), rising senior Ian Childers (Ona, W. Va./Greater Latrobe) and rising sophomore Frank Cullo (Sewickley, Pa./Central Catholic) were named to the honorable mention squad.

Washnock earned All-America Honorable Mention recognition in the 200 back and the 400 IM at the NCAA Division III Championships this season, while Barnds, Stirling, Crook and Tatman earned honorable mention laurels in the 400 free relay.

The women’s team, which posted a cumulative GPA of 3.21, was represented by recent graduate Lindsey Strachan (Midlothian, Va./Governor’s School), who was named a First Team Scholar All-American. Additionally, recent graduate Susan Mahoney (Richmond, Va./St. Catherines) and rising senior Sarah Simpson (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg) were tabbed to the honorable mention squad.

Strachan, the 2009 ODAC Swimmer of the Year, became W&L’s first women’s swimmer to garner All-America recognition in 10 years, earning honorable mention honors in the 200 back at the NCAA Championships. Simpson won the 100 free at the ODAC Championships and was a member of three winning relays, while Mahoney captured the 200 breast and the 400 IM at ODAC's and was a member of one winning relay team.

For a team to be named a Scholar-Athlete Team it must achieve a combined GPA of at least 3.0. To be selected a Scholar All-American, individual swimmers must qualify for the NCAA Championship meet and achieve a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Honorable mention selections must achieve an NCAA consideration time and a 3.50 or higher GPA.

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