Feb. 23, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams were named to the 2012 College Swimming Coaches Association of America All-America team as the women’s team earned a 3.35 GPA with the men achieving a 3.03 GPA.

“One of the primary goals of the UK athletic department is academic excellence,” UK head coach Gary Conelly said. “It is very gratifying to see the swimmers and divers living up the department’s aspirations.  Counting scholarship and non-scholarship athletes we had 41 out 64 athletes above 3.0 with 10 4.0s.”

For the first time in program history, both the men and women’s teams recorded GPAs that averaged over 3.0.

The men were just one team of five in the Southeastern Conference to be named to the team while the women were in select company as just seven SEC teams were awarded the honor including the Wildcats.

“I think that is a real testament to NCAA athletes in general.  They are hard workers on the field and in the classroom.  They bring all the discipline and effort from the fields of competition into all aspects of their lives.” Conelly said.

The Wildcats claimed 10 athletes with a 4.0 grade-point average, and an additional 30 student-athletes who posted a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In total, 41 student-athletes on the roster claimed a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For continuing coverage of the 2011-2012 swimming and diving seasons, log onto UKathletics.com.