July 22, 2005

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army's men's and women's swimming and diving teams were recently recognized by the College Swim Coaches Association of America for excelling in the classroom following the 2005 spring semester.

Army's men finished 40th nationally with a team grade point average (GPA) of 2.90. Dartmouth was the leader with a 3.37 GPA followed by Brigham Young (3.35) and Princeton (3.30).

The Army women's team posted a GPA of 2.82 and ranked 70th nationally among Division I teams. Gardner-Webb led the way with a 3.61 GPA, followed by Xavier (3.59) and Washington State (3.57).

Two hundred and seventy-two squads (twenty-five more than last semester) representing 171 institutions were named to the academic list. In the combined Division I, II and III levels, the MIT men of Division III recorded the highest GPA of 3.52. On the women's side, perennial top finisher Division III Macalester tied with Washington & Lee tied for the highest GPA with a 3.59. At the Division II level, the women were led by Ouachita Baptist and Indianapolis with a 3.49, while the men of Missouri-Rolla were first with a 3.38.

It is the fourth time that both Black Knights squads have been honored by the CSCAA under head coach John O'Neill, who heads into his fifth season in 2005-06. Army was honored following the 2002 fall semester and the 2002 and 2003 spring terms.

The Black Knights open their 2005-06 season Oct. 21-22 hosting the Army Invitational at West Point's historic Crandall Pool. ACC power Boston College, the Big East's Syracuse and perennial MAAC champion Marist will provide a strong challenge.

The Army men finished 8-2 last year and the women were 6-4 along with finishing second and third, respectively, at the Patriot League Championships.