Program-record 14 Wildcats Named Scholar All-Americans

July 1, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Record-setting academic honors continue to come in for the Kentucky swimming and diving team following a 2014-15 season that was equally as impressive in the competition pool. Wednesday, 14 Wildcats were named Scholar All-Americans by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

The most Scholar All-Americans in a single season in program history, the 14 UK student-athletes recognized includes 10 first-team selections, also a UK record. It tops the eight CSCAA Scholar All-Americans from a year ago and beats the 11 in 2011, the previous high.

As second-year head coach Lars Jorgensen continues to build the UK swimming and diving program, he has done so with record-breaking success both in the water and in the classroom. Both the men’s and women’s teams were named Scholar All-America Teams by the CSCAA. The women were No. 22 among Division I teams with a 3.54 GPA, one of just two women’s teams to finish in the top 25 in both GPA and at the NCAA Championships. The UK men also eclipsed a 3.00 with a 3.06.

“I’m really proud of everyone for their hard work in the classroom this year,” Jorgensen said. “Everyone has worked extremely hard to improve not only in the water, but in the classroom as well, and it’s great to see so many of our student-athletes be recognized for their hard work. A special thanks especially to Bob Bradley and his staff in CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services), who are dedicated to our student-athletes and do a great job of helping to put them in a position to be successful.”

Kentucky’s first-team honorees are seniors Christina Bechtel, Christa Cabot, Abby Myers, Samantha Shaheen and Kristen Wilson, sophomores Kendal Casey, Danielle Galyer, Rebecca Hamperian and Kyle Higgins and freshman Bridgette Alexander. Junior Matt Roman, sophomores Andrew Aviotti and Kendra Crew and freshman Walker Thaning were named honorable mention.

All nine UK women that competed at the NCAA Championships were named to the CSCAA Scholar All-America First Team.

This is the third CSCAA Scholar All-America honor for Bechtel, Cabot, Myers and Wilson, while Casey, Crew, Galyer and Roman were recognized for the second time in their careers.

Swimmers and divers must earn a 3.50 GPA or higher and compete at the NCAA Championships to be named to the CSCAA Scholar All-America First Team. Honorable mention accolades are given to student-athletes who post a GPA of 3.50 or higher and earn an NCAA “B” qualifying time.

Myers is a 2015 Academic All-American and one-time All-American, while Bechtel and Galyer each won a Southeastern Conference title along with four All-America accolades. Cabot and Hamperian were named All-Americans on two diving events, while Alexander, Shaheen and Wilson all earned All-America honors at their first NCAA Championship in 2015.

Both of our Teams were named today by CSCAA as NCAA Division 1 Spring Academic All-American Teams!! Proud of our success in the classroom!

— Lars Jorgensen (@UKLarsJorgensen) June 30, 2015

For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Swimming and Diving program, go to UKathletics.com/SwimmingDiving. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates and more can be found on Twitter at @UKSwimDive and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKSwimDive.