Feb. 18, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - Lehigh senior Dan Johnson was voted the Patriot League Men's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year, it was announced on Wednesday. Johnson earned the honor for the second year in a row and is the third-straight Lehigh swimmer to win the award; fellow Mountain Hawk Tom Gilbert won it in 2007.

Johnson, a mechanical engineering major with a 3.51 cumulative grade-point average, is a two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member. The senior has also made regular appearances on the Lehigh University Dean's List.

A team captain this season, Johnson competed in all 11 meets for the Mountain Hawks, winning the 50 free in four meets and the 100 free in seven meets. Johnson also was on six winning relay teams and swept the 50, 100 and 200 free events in dual meets against Lafayette and Army. The senior is also the reigning Patriot League champion in the 200 free and is the individual career points leader at the Patriot League Championship in his class heading into this weekend's title meet.

To be eligible for the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen are not eligible for this honor.

The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each individual sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out over the summer. One male and one female are selected for this honor.