March 12, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The University of Missouri men's and women's swimming and diving teams were announced as College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American Teams for the fall semester. For the past several years both teams have been honored as Academic All-Americans, ranking near the top in cumulative team grade point average in the NCAA Division I ranks.

The men's team had the tenth highest GPA in the country. Their team GPA of 3.20 during the fall semester is the highest GPA by a men's swimming team in school history. They are the only Big 12 team chosen as Academic All-American. Last winter the men's team had a GPA of 3.17, which ranked tenth in the country. The men's team had 20 athletes with a GPA over 3.0, including 13 on the Dean's List. David Darmitzel, Stephan Darmitzel and Matt Ferrarelli each had 4.0 GPA's during the fall semester.

The women's team finished 21st in the country in team GPA. Their team GPA of 3.29 during the fall semester is the highest GPA by a women's swimming team in school history as well. They finished first in the Big 12 in team GPA ahead of Iowa State (3.28). Last winter they had a team GPA of 3.24. The women's team had 23 athletes with a GPA over 3.0, including an astonishing 20 athletes on the Dean's List. Molly Christensen and Belinda Wood each had 4.0 GPA's during the fall semester.

The University of Connecticut women's team led the country with a 3.702 GPA and the American University men's team led with a GPA of 3.38.