Oct. 22, 2008

The College Swimming Coaches Association of America announced their swimming and diving Division I Academic All-America teams on Tuesday. The list featured 81 women's and 44 men's teams from across the country who bettered the required 3.000 GPA, and included both Missouri swimming and diving teams and numerous current and former Tiger swimmers and divers.

"Our athletes continue to amaze us to the commitment they have to their education while also representing the University in Swimming and Diving," Head Coach Brian Hoffer said.

The Tiger men finished tied with the University of Georgia for 14th in the country with a 3.210 team grade point average for the spring term. Mizzou was the lone men's representative from the Big 12 conference in the rankings.

The Tiger women finished 44th out of 81 teams, closing the spring semester with a 3.270 team grade point average. Out of the four Big 12 women's teams who finished in the top-81, Missouri had the second-highest team grade point average.

"I am pleased that the men have really succeeded in being one of the best academic teams in the nation. They have worked very hard and it is paying off," Hoffer said. "The women have a long history and they expect to be an Academic All-America team each semester."

Eight current and former Tigers were named to individual Academic All-America lists as well. Senior diver Kendra Melnychuk was named to the women's Individual Academic All-America list after finishing the spring term with a 3.680 GPA. Senior Jill Granger (3.620 GPA), junior Colleen Gordon (3.930 GPA), sophomore Lauren Lavigna (3.680 GPA), and graduated swimmers Taye Patterson (3.930 GPA) and Arica Jacinto (3.650 GPA) were named to the Individual Honorable Mention Academic All-America team.

On the men's side, sophomore Jordan Hawley and senior Gilad Kaufman were both named to the Individual Honorable Mention Academic All-America team as well. Hawley posted a 3.830 GPA last semester, while Kaufman finished the term with a 3.740 GPA.