June 26, 2006

Academic All-America selection justifies Benson's tough decision

by Craig Muder
Observer-Dispatch

Hamilton, N.Y. -- Levi Benson had to choose: swimming or academics at Colgate University.

So before the spring semester in 2005, Benson walked away from the pool. But he never deserted his teammates.

A year later, both of Benson's worlds are finally back in synch. And the recent Colgate graduate couldn't be happier.

"I started swimming in sixth grade," Benson said. "But medical school had been my goal since I was even younger. It was a tough call, and I second-guessed myself a few times. But it was the right decision."

Benson's decision was justified when he was named to the ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-America men's at-large third team on June 20, the first swimmer in Colgate history to earn that honor. He finished his Colgate career with a 3.73 grade-point average and will attend Penn State medical school in the fall.

The award came following Benson's senior year, when he swam the second leg of the Raiders' record-setting 400 free relay at the Patriot League Championships. Even more impressive, his teammates voted him co-captain for the season despite sitting out most of his junior year.

"He was told academically that what he wanted to do in spring semester 2005, swimming or not, was impossible," Colgate head coach Stephen Jungbluth said of Benson's course load, which included taking his medical school entrance exams. "But he went ahead and did it anyway. And his teammates respected that because they know Colgate's academic challenges. "He has earned the highest respect from me and his teammates. He epitomizes what every coach looks for."

But while Benson concentrated on his academics last year, he did not stay completely dry. In a meet against Binghamton, Benson proved to be the ultimate teammate.

"I had underestimated the other team's strength, and I came to him and asked him to swim the backstroke," Jungbluth said. "He needed to finish fifth for us, and he actually finished third -- sacrificing his pride, swimming below his level because he was out of shape. ... That's just the kind of mentality he has."

It's a winner's mentality. But it's also one tempered with sound judgment.

"All through middle and high school, it was always a competition between academics and athletics," Benson said. "But I went to college for academics first. So in that sense, it wasn't that tough of a decision."