(Leavenworth, Kan.) – The University of Saint Mary men's and women's swimming & diving teams have been honored as Scholar All-America Teams by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for the Fall 2024 semester. This recognition is awarded to programs that achieve the highest academic standards while representing their institutions in the pool.

Under the leadership of Head Coach David Bresser, the women's team posted an impressive 3.58 GPA with 22 student-athletes contributing to this achievement, while the men's team recorded a 3.56 GPA with 20 student-athletes. USM was one of just 19 NAIA institutions to receive this award for women's swimming and one of 16 NAIA schools to earn the distinction for men's swimming, showcasing the Spires' commitment to both academic and athletic excellence.
 
“Our student-athletes continue to set the bar high, both in the classroom and in competition,” Coach Bresser said. “Earning this award is a direct result of their relentless dedication, time management, and perseverance. Juggling rigorous academic responsibilities while competing at a high level is a challenge, and I couldn’t be more proud of how they continue to excel in both areas.”
 
The CSCAA’s Scholar All-America Team award is among the most distinguished academic honors in collegiate swimming & diving. To qualify, teams must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher during the semester. This year, a total of 781 teams from 459 institutions across all collegiate divisions earned the distinction, recognizing 19,209 student-athletes for their academic achievements. Of those, 654 teams recorded a GPA of 3.30 or higher, qualifying for the Intercollegiate Coach Association Coalition All-Sport Academic Standings.
 
CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany praised the dedication of USM’s student-athletes, coaching staff, and athletic department for their commitment to academic success. “The commitment to academic excellence shown by these teams is truly admirable,” Barany said. “It’s inspiring to see student-athletes excelling both in the pool and in their studies. The CSCAA takes great pride in acknowledging and celebrating their dedication and perseverance.”
 
The University of Saint Mary swimming & diving teams have been consistent recipients of this national honor since the program’s inception in 2018. Their continued success—earning the Scholar All-America distinction for 13 straight semesters—highlights not only their commitment to athletic excellence but also their dedication to upholding the highest academic standards.
 

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.