Making a splash in the classroom

University of the Cumberlands student-athletes making the grade

By Kim Hamby, University of the Cumberlands Sports Information Student Assistant

Posted 09.22.06

Participating in a collegiate sport requires a lot of athletic ability and talent. However, many people tend to overlook the academic side. In order to play for a varsity sport at the collegiate level in the NAIA division, athletes must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (C average) or higher.

Each and every member of the University of the Cumberlands men and women’s swim team meets these guidelines. Not only do they meet them, they completely blow them out of the water.

The College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) named the University of the Cumberlands men and women’s swim team to the Academic All-American Swimming Team for the 2006 spring semester.

In order to receive this honor, all team members must average at least a 2.8 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The Patriots led the way in the men’s division for the NAIA, while the women finished high in their division.

This is the first year that the CSCAA has recognized NAIA schools. For the 2006 spring semester, 417 teams representing 249 schools met the criteria to receive this award. This includes NCAA, NAIA, and Junior College programs.

The University of the Cumberlands also had eleven athletes on the men and women’s swim teams qualify as Academic All-Americans as individuals. These athletes must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale and qualify for the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA championships.

Catherine Mack and Christen Heideman, both 2006 graduates, received their degrees with a perfect 4.0 GPA and were the first of their teammates to be named as Academic All-Americans. Others receiving this award are Price Richardson, Lane Royer, Laurie Anderson, and Carol Clayton, all with a 3.8 GPA. Noel Zvonar managed a 3.75 GPA, while Lindsay Medsen and Megan Wakely both had a 3.7 GPA. Ian Wenstrand and Blaire Bachman rounded out the list, both with a 3.6 GPA.

The University of the Cumberlands head swimming coach, Garry Nelson, was extremely happy to hear about his team’s recognition but not surprised. “I have always tried to recruit that kind of person,” comments Nelson. “It is very important to look for that profile in athletes. They should have both athletic talent and academic talent.”

Coach Nelson has led the Patriots as the head swim coach since 2001, but has accumulated 27 years’ experience in coaching at the USS Club level and the collegiate levels. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and has received many coaching honors in his career.

Since he joined the UC staff, the men and women’s swimming team have currently broken 54 team records. There have been 42 NAIA All-Americans and 97 CSCA All-Americans. Nelson has also led the swim team to 3 NAIA National Champions since 2001.

Asking his players to be in the pool for practice every morning at 6 AM may sound ridiculous to some, but Coach Nelson’s swimmers have proved that they can accomplish far more than what is asked of them. Best of luck to the swim team this year, both in the pool and out.

To learn more about the Cumberlands Swim Program click here.